If anyone has had any front end mask or "bra" for a long time, I would greatly appreciate a reply. Please reply with any comments.

I would never put one on

front end mask, yeah they work alright but only if thats the look your going for!
to be honest i had a front end mask on my 95 jetta for about a year, it saved me from rock chips, scratches and bugs. It did allright, i would take it off every now and then clean it and auto armor it, I thought it looked good on the car> "BUT" when it was off the car i could tell that wind and vibration had been wearing on my paint to the point that it could not be resolved with a buffer! Make your decision based on this! If you think a girl looks hot with tan lines after its all off then go for it> if not then dont and use touch up paint like the rest of us! if your just tring to keep it clean for the long trips then hear this. "It takes a dedicated owner to put a protecter on and off because it is such a pain in the ___!"
hope this helps!
peace tjd!

i would never put one on my car
they are ugly!

IMHO Japanese paint is too thin, and there is no way to
keep it positivly clean enough underneith.

On the other hand, those 3M clear bra type things are
pretty neat, I considered getting it for my BOP xB, but I'm
opting to save that money and use it to paint something
once the front does eventually get chipped up.

I have one and I like so :P

If there is a magnetic bra that can be applied that might be a better option.

I have one on my xA, it's saved my roof and windshield from rocks a bunch of times... I took it off for the winter and the very next day, a crushed paint can or some type of metal debris got tossed up by a semi and left a nice scrape down to bare metal right where the bra WAS. It's been on since then, I take it off to clean it out and let it dry every couple days...

I won't drive the Michigan expressways without it now...

~chris

i dont like the bra.

i can get a hold of the clear bra kits for anybody interested.

i got it. I like it. It keeps my front end chip free. however. I didnt get it soon enough

Used it for a year. Black Sand XB. No paint wear.

Saved my XB once. I was ambushed by a tumble-weed in the fast lane on the freeway once. I totally obliterated the bush. Pulled over, cleared out my grill, and was on my way. Not a scratch on the car. True story.

I'd take it off for car washes or summer vacation weeks when I wasn't commuting.

If you think a girl looks hot with tan lines after its all off then go for it> if not then dont and use touch up paint like the rest of us!

The question is , would you rather have a pimple faced girl with a good body or would you rather have a girl wearing sunglasses and having tan lines with a good body?

If you think a girl looks hot with tan lines after its all off then go for it> if not then dont and use touch up paint like the rest of us!

The question is , would you rather have a pimple faced girl with a good body or would you rather have a girl wearing sunglasses and having tan lines with a good body?


Yeah terry which would you choose? :P

good question

i can get a hold of the clear bra kits for anybody interested.

How much does a clear bara kit cost? and how hard is it too put on, I am new to all this.

here is a recommendation from someone else for a clear bra--
this guy comes out to you and you have a choice of 3M or Avary

Body-Skins Inc.
Mobile Service
South Elgin, IL 60177
847-530-8443
ranstadt@sbcglobal.net

raúl...

>>The question is , would you rather have a pimple faced girl with a good body or would you rather have a girl wearing sunglasses and having tan lines with a good body?<<

I think this would have a shade more relevance if we were banging our Scions.


:love:

Matt

i can get a hold of the clear bra kits for anybody interested.

How much does a clear bara kit cost? and how hard is it too put on, I am new to all this.

You don't want to do it yourself, let someone that knows how to do it put it on.

If you're really worried about your car and care for it, it should help. If you want something that takes no effort and will keep things looking great, there isn't anything like that, sorry.

I see it as 6 of one a half-dozen of the other... You can go braless and you'll be repainting the front-end eventually from all the rockchips and such OR you can use the bra and you'll eventually have to repaint the front end from the bra damage... Same thing in the end, but what path do you want to take to get there? Chip-free and rubbed or rub-free and chipped?

If you maintain it properly, a bra should be the better alternative, IMO. and if you're showing your car or things of that nature, you can peel the bra off and be smooth and clean. But like I said, it isn't effortless.

I have one and it has saved me a few times, but I also have this damn buzzing. I've taken it off to make sure its the bra...damn thing drives me crazy. Anybody else noticed that?

You better be careful about that buzzing, that is what is going to ruin your paint. Ive had one on for the first 2000 miles and I haven't heard any buzzing noise. I would check to make sure it is fitted properly.

Does any one know a good produst for getting the bugs off of the mask?I want to be prepared for summer

Does any one else have any experience with masks in the past . How did they work on your car and what were the proper techniques of care and removal to take care of your paint. If you have any picture at all that would be awesome!!!

I had a mask on my old car, it completely ruined the paint, dont do a mask, unless it is the clear ones. my advice, if I still had the car, I would take pics, but all I can tell you is that it cause EXTENSIVE damage to my paint

well with my old car it had a long flat hood and a great big chrome bumper and little bit of the hood had a lip only the chrome bumper and that little bit of hood lip got the most damage done... (pointless post ever :silly: )

Theres a product called Diamond Gloss that will protect from small stuff like bugs, sap and small particles. Usually applied by Ziebart. Cost for an xB should be about $300 with yearly re-apply at $120. They say you never have to wax again and the dirt just slides right off during a wash.

Not exactly a cover, but an idea.

I had a mask on my old car, it completely ruined the paint, dont do a mask, unless it is the clear ones. my advice, if I still had the car, I would take pics, but all I can tell you is that it cause EXTENSIVE damage to my paint

Hey SirScion.....with your mask did you have a form fitting mask and did you take proper care of it? I guess that you are suppossed to take it off when wet and re-apply it when it is dry and you have to wax the area that you applied the mask to. I know that most people probably don't do ALL that, but I was just wondering if you tried to take care of it the right way and it still caused extensive damage or did you just not take care of it as good as you should have? Please let me and all the people reading what happened.

Theres a product called Diamond Gloss that will protect from small stuff like bugs, sap and small particles. Usually applied by Ziebart. Cost for an xB should be about $300 with yearly re-apply at $120. They say you never have to wax again and the dirt just slides right off during a wash.

Not exactly a cover, but an idea.

is this the same thing as the teflon coating from the dealership? it sounds like it. but I want to know for sure.

I had a mask on my old car, it completely ruined the paint, dont do a mask, unless it is the clear ones. my advice, if I still had the car, I would take pics, but all I can tell you is that it cause EXTENSIVE damage to my paint

Hey SirScion.....with your mask did you have a form fitting mask and did you take proper care of it? I guess that you are suppossed to take it off when wet and re-apply it when it is dry and you have to wax the area that you applied the mask to. I know that most people probably don't do ALL that, but I was just wondering if you tried to take care of it the right way and it still caused extensive damage or did you just not take care of it as good as you should have? Please let me and all the people reading what happened.

It was a very tight fitting mask, it was on a '91 Cavalier, which had very thick paint, and it rubbed all the way through, it was amazing to me, I just watched as it wore away because I knew it was to late. When I got it, it was most of the way gone, and I have no way of knowing how the previous owners cared for the mask, but I did take it off, and reaply it before and after washing. I never waxed, because I did not care that much about that POJ (piece of junk) but I doubt that that would have slowed down the damage very much. Oh, and the brand was LeBra, if this makes any difference at all.

What is so great about the clear mask?

UPDATE
My front end mask is keping the front of my car perfect! I take it off, go through the car wash, dry, vacuum off the back side, spray some wax and put it back on. It only takes about 15 min to do. I actually hit a huge tumble weed on the highway going about 75 and not a scratch anywhere. My only problem now is swirl marks on the hood above the mask. I tried wiping some dirt off my hood and put some light scratches all over my hood. Any suggestions on how to get those out? Ive never used Micro Fiber, what is the best to get?

Mine scratched the front of my car up, and burned the paint. DON'T DO IT.

I never said I would put one on my car but was getting chips. Chips are easier to fix then what my bra did.

Mine scratched the front of my car up, and burned the paint. DON'T DO IT.

I never said I would put one on my car but was getting chips. Chips are easier to fix then what my bra did.

Did you ever take it off to clean it? What brand was it?

I had one on a 92' Ford Probe and on a '98 Mustang. All in all, I am done with them. Both were made by Ford and were very tight fitting. I would take them off to wash the car and put them back on after. What I found was that if it rained when you had the bra on, the dust and dirt would drain under the bra down the hood and collect under the bra. Then when dry, the bra would run that dirt into your hood. To be honest, I didn't wash my car religiously so there were occassions when the bra would be on for a couple months without coming off. But what I found was a clear line across the paint where the edge of the bra was. They are a pain to take on and off for the most part, a pain to keep clean.. just more work in the long run.

I had one on a 92' Ford Probe and on a '98 Mustang. All in all, I am done with them. Both were made by Ford and were very tight fitting. I would take them off to wash the car and put them back on after. What I found was that if it rained when you had the bra on, the dust and dirt would drain under the bra down the hood and collect under the bra. Then when dry, the bra would run that dirt into your hood. To be honest, I didn't wash my car religiously so there were occassions when the bra would be on for a couple months without coming off. But what I found was a clear line across the paint where the edge of the bra was. They are a pain to take on and off for the most part, a pain to keep clean.. just more work in the long run.

I think that the problem was that you didn't wash your car enough to get the dirt out from underneath. Did you notice any problems (besides the clear line) with the paint underneath because of it, or did the dirt just wash off with no paint damage?

I dont care for them because it rubs your paint off as well dirt gets stuck under it and will scratch the paint

I would never use one as a daily thing. I just use my scion mask for long trips. I still have a fair about of chips but as much as i would have if i didnt use the mask on long trips.

It even says in the scion mask manual not to use it for daily use because it will damage the paint

It even says in the scion mask manual not to use it for daily use because it will damage the paint

Sorry you're gonna have to prove that one.

I had one on a 92' Ford Probe and on a '98 Mustang. All in all, I am done with them. Both were made by Ford and were very tight fitting. I would take them off to wash the car and put them back on after. What I found was that if it rained when you had the bra on, the dust and dirt would drain under the bra down the hood and collect under the bra. Then when dry, the bra would run that dirt into your hood. To be honest, I didn't wash my car religiously so there were occassions when the bra would be on for a couple months without coming off. But what I found was a clear line across the paint where the edge of the bra was. They are a pain to take on and off for the most part, a pain to keep clean.. just more work in the long run.

I think that the problem was that you didn't wash your car enough to get the dirt out from underneath. Did you notice any problems (besides the clear line) with the paint underneath because of it, or did the dirt just wash off with no paint damage?

I didn't notice paint damage, if anything it kept the paint underneath brighter then the rest of the car. Both cars were parked outside, so while the majority of the car is naturally getting sun fade, under the bra was not. Then add in the line that developed right along the edge of the bra, and it became fairly pronounced when the bra was taken off. I am sure if you spent the time to take it off frequently and wash it good, you could have good results, but if you have to park out in the sun, you will develop a discernible difference in color over time if you leave it on full time and only take it off for cleanings.

It even says in the scion mask manual not to use it for daily use because it will damage the paint

Sorry you're gonna have to prove that one.

Sorry im not going to go to kinkos to copy the manual. look in yours, i dont need to prove anything to anyone. im just telling you what it said in mine

It even says in the scion mask manual not to use it for daily use because it will damage the paint

Sorry you're gonna have to prove that one.

Sorry im not going to go to kinkos to copy the manual. look in yours, i dont need to prove anything to anyone. im just telling you what it said in mine

I never got a manual for it and I think your lying. Im going to disregard your comment until you can prove it.

ok, i really dont care.

:rofl:

:rofl:

:rofl: I called him out on that one! :rofl:

I would never put one on..after what my friend told me what happens to the paint if you dont take it off I dont want to deal with all that..i can live with chips on my hood or bumper.

I have half bra on my xA. I think it gives more appearance to silver paint. So far I haven't seen the paint fade yet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/siberhuskygirl/3947dc40.jpg

I would never put one on..after what my friend told me what happens to the paint if you dont take it off I dont want to deal with all that..i can live with chips on my hood or bumper.

I believe everything my friends tell me too.

im disgusted by my BSP tC already, its got 30k miles and ive had it for 11 months. I do a lot of freeway driving and just from that the hood and bumper have countless tiny chips almost to the metal all over it, i dont like people looking at my car closely thats how bad it is.

I noticed this on another thread^^^^Maybe it IS smart to buy a front end mask from the beginning. I see these posts alot but nobody seems to notice them. :no:

bump

I had 1 on a camry for a couple of years and took it off and my paint was all scratched up and faded and stuff....

Never going to use 1 again...

i would never put one on my car
they are ugly!

AGREE

i've heard that the clear bra, such as the one by 3m, will start to crack and/or peel when exposed to heat/sun. has anyone had problems with the clear bra peeling off in the corners or cracking?

i've heard that the clear bra, such as the one by 3m, will start to crack and/or peel when exposed to heat/sun. has anyone had problems with the clear bra peeling off in the corners or cracking?

Ive seen some car shows with cars that had peeling off clear bras. It still didn't look to bad though. Never seen cracks.

i would never put one on my car
they are ugly!

AGREE

Rock chips, bug stains and scratches are ugly.

:silly:

:P

more comments please :love:

Regret not getting Front End Mask...rock chips!
Fully agreed. My car is just barely 2.5 months old and I have a bunch of rock chips in my front bumper. I'm gonna snag a bra soon enough.

^ More testimonials found.

Who cares... Why do you ask for everyones opinion then bash those who don't agree with you?

:silly:

Back in the 70's, my grandmother used to use one of these

http://www.amazon.com/Fia-Grille-Winter-Screen-Custom/dp/B00075X8LQ/sr=1-23/qid=1161954668/ref=sr_1_23/104-2887670-6531168?ie=UTF8&s=automotive

The one she had was "universal." The ones on amazon seem to be custom fitted, but I havn't dug around that much. Maybe y'all can find one that fits the tC pretty well.

It never seemed to do any damage to the paint.

Here is a universal one:

http://www.amazon.com/Fia-Grille-Universal-downsize-approximate/dp/B000I1ZAWO/sr=1-2/qid=1161954875/ref=sr_1_2/104-2887670-6531168?ie=UTF8&s=automotive

I LOVE the 3M Clear Bra, by far the best choice to protect the front of any car.

This is our 2nd car to have the Clear Bra and we have been stone chip free for many years.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/DerfS2k/prpv.jpg

I LOVE the 3M Clear Bra, by far the best choice to protect the front of any car.

This is our 2nd car to have the Clear Bra and we have been stone chip free for many years.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y18/DerfS2k/prpv.jpg

^^^Sweet Picture. Yeah my next car will have the clear bra on it from the begining

Back in the day i had a Dodge daytona turbo z. This was a first generation turbo. It was a pig in the low end but was pretty fast in the mid range and high end. ANYWAY it looked good and I never took it off. It did ruin the paint. Reguardless I left it on for the 7 years i had the car. I have had a 2006 tc for 8 months and it has almost 40000 on it. I drive a long way to work, to be able to work for the DOD. The 80 miles eachway i have made once in 38 min. BTW perelli tires melt and get stretch marks at 130. I bought this car strictly to make this daily run as the XA had a tough time with it. I have taken MANY hits took the front of the TC. I had to put steel grills on it because a semi -retread took out both of the fog lights. I know i will eventually kill this car on this run but I have a friend at work that has the same motor in a toyota PU and it has 400000 with no major repairs on it. I will probably buy the next generation TC before this dies anyway. My advise is buy it if you like the looks. I have to take off the front ground effects to put it on. Cars are a temporary thing anyway, and your fooling yourself if you think different. By the time your paintjob is screwed from the bra , so will the paint on the rest of the car anyway. Repaint.

Greedy Rear tower bar
DC Front tower bar
Greedy SP2 Cat back exhaust.
Turbo for christmas

You obviously cant just put it on and leave it on, its like a condom man! :P

i had one on my passat, and when i took it off there was paint missing from it on the hood. so personally i think they are bull____...

Lets see some pictures of your rock chips and dents everyone.

http://webpages.charter.net/lordevil/front.bmp
http://webpages.charter.net/lordevil/hood.bmp
http://webpages.charter.net/lordevil/pas%20door.bmp

car washed on saturday 4 days ago and bought it in feb
when looking at front realize its december and there are no bugs
when looking at hood the rock didnt hit the window because of the wiper
LOL[/table]

http://webpages.charter.net/lordevil/front.bmp
http://webpages.charter.net/lordevil/hood.bmp
http://webpages.charter.net/lordevil/pas%20door.bmp

car washed on saturday 4 days ago and bought it in feb
when looking at front realize its december and there are no bugs
when looking at hood the rock didnt hit the window because of the wiper
LOL[/table]

Thanks LordEvil, It doesn't look too bad but definitely noticable. What are you planing on doing about the chips? Painting? Lets see some more pictures, there has to be worse than that.

Lets see some more pictures, there has to be worse than that.

Anyone?