Car Bra Experts Inside

[Ryan]

We bought a new CRV on the first of March. I just finished doing a wash, clay bar, and coat of ZAIO. We are planning to drive it up to Toronto next month for a week, then drive back. We bought a car bra for it, which is pretty cool because it has screen that covers up the openings where a rock can put a nice hole in the condensor. My question to the experts is this:

Would it be okay to put some painters tape (it has very light stickiness to it) along the edges where the bra would go across the hood? This would be on for only a week. I would also maybe put some along the front bumper where the edges kind of protrude out. The nice part is the edges along the wheel well are unpainted plastic so I don't have to worry about that getting all scratched up. It is just my experience with a car bra on my old car is that there would be some light scratching on the paint along the edges where the bra would attach to and along the part that goes across the hood. I'm hoping I get the okay from the experts to put tape along those areas to take the beating.

 

[bigjl]

You can get a clear film that you can stick to the entire bumper and bonnet to protect from stones or rubbing marks.

It is the same thickness as the stuff used for car wraps.

And is an option at every car wrapping specialist i have spoken to.

Was going to protect the Jag.

But due to the miles on it before purchase it would need a repaint before protecting as the paint is marked already!

Have seen specific kits for cars like the Lotus Elise

But try to find a car wrapping place and see if they stock or can order the clear stuff.

It can be removed with a heatgun leaving no damage to paint.

I was considering doing the sides aswell so that when idiots take a key up the side the pait is protected.

Does means you can't get your polish on.

But i think it would protect your bonnet/wing paint perfectly.

And still look normal when the bra was removed

 

[Ryan]

We have a clear bra on our 06 Corolla. We had it put on when it was new. I don't really like it, and I'm scared to remove it. I'm not interested in putting a clear bra on this car, however, I did buy the clear bra stuff for the headlights and I'm going to attempt to put them on tonight. We will only use the bra for road trips like this.

 

[dave180]

Although the back side of painter's tape is somewhat "soft" if the bra starts flapping or moves at all, the tape might be abrasive to the painted surface. Being a bra expert, I think that if it fits properly you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[BHopkins]

Originally Posted By: dave180
Although the back side of painter's tape is somewhat "soft" if the bra starts flapping or moves at all, the tape might be abrasive to the painted surface. Being a bra expert, I think that if it fits properly you shouldn't have any problems.


Really? It surprises me that you think there would be no problem. Although I have never used a car bra, except the clear bra type, every car I have ever seen where a bra was used, shows damage to the paint. Scratches, rubbing, and a difference in paint color after it is removed. Are you suggesting that all these types of paint damage from car bras can be avoided, simply by proper install? And, that would include the paint fade?

I'm not trying to be argumentative here. Just trying to understand. I honestly have little experience with them, except observations of cars in parking lots.

 

[Ryan]

I'm not worried about paint fade, as it will only be on for the 780 mile trip each way. I just figured that the parts of the bra that might move around would be doing so on top of the tape, thus letting the tape take the beating.

 

[dave180]

Well, doesn't the bra have a "soft" surface where it contacts the paint? I doubt it would be designed to cause some type of harm to a car's hood or painted surface.
To be clear, is the tape being attached to the paint or the bra? I would be leery of attaching any kind of tape to my painted surface. I'm thinking after a day in the sun it could be a gooey mess.

 

[Ryan]

Yes the tape would be on the paint. It is basically masking tape but since it is painters tape it has very little stick to it compared to regular masking tape. Matter of fact, I used some on my other car when I was doing some buffing, but it was only on the car for several minutes at a time. I'm just worried about what could happen after leaving it on for a week.

 

[razel]

Yes you can use painters tape to protect the edge from scuffing from the bra. If you want something more permanment find a way to attach window weather edging foam or rubber to the inside edge of the bra that touches the paint.

 

[Ryan]

Baller! I'm excited although the paint is so slick right now I'm scared the tape might not stick.

 

[qwertydude]

I suppose if you were so dead set on a car bra it might make sense to apply paint protection film underneath to protect the paint from the damaging effects of the car bra. But if you're going to do that, why not just leave it at the paint protection film and not worry about the car bra.

But if it really is only temporary you can protect the paint with painter's tape no problem. You can generally find the maximum leave on time for them on the manufacturers website. For example 3M ScotchBlue has a removal time of 2 weeks.

 

[Ryan]

Just to clarify, I put on the headlight film on the car the other day. PITA, but I'm surprised I was able to get it almost perfect. I have a clear bra on the other car but don't like it. The bra is only for the road trip up, so it will only be on for a week, then it is back to driving around town with no bra.

 

[BHopkins]

What about spraying the paint with Plasti-Dip where the bra is going to go? Then, when you get home, peel it off. Plasti-Dip is designed to stay on for extended time on paint, without harm.

 

[Ryan]

I forgot about that stuff. Shoooot! I might do that.

 

[doitmyself]

Ryan,

I have used electricians tape to protect vehicle and equipment finishes many times with no ill effect. Sometimes, after many months and very hot weather, there might be a tiny bit of black residue but it always comes off easily.

Electricians tape withstands weather and it even comes in colors. I would only use a quality product (not Chinese). It is designed to be used on plastic wire insulation and components, so I would think that the adhesive is very non reactive (call 3m and ask if it is paint safe.). Having OCD, I put it on my pick up truck tailgate where the rubber cap/topper door gasket rubs the tailgate paint and I leave it on for years.

No problems ever, but your results may vary.