Stopping Rock Chips With a 3M Bra Need Some Help...

[LICamaro85]

Ok,



I have a 2008 Tiburon with 8,000 Miles on it and the front of the car looks like it was sand blasted then it has the normal .050-.100 of an inch diameter rock chips. It has around 20-25 of the bigger ones which I feel is a very large number for such a new car.? I do not drive on Highways that often and stay back very far from other cars and trucks.



What are my options...



I was thinking of filling in the rock chips the best I could and polishing out any of the small spots and getting the 3M clear bra installed on the Hood,Bumper and Fenders.



Will the 3M stop rock chips or will the rocks tear right threw it?



Should I just leave it and get the hood repainted in a few years.





Any Advice would be very helpful,



Thanks,

 

[the other pc]

...Will the 3M stop rock chips or will the rocks tear right threw it?...

It'll stop some rocks, probably most. The one we have on our MINI does a very good job. But you can't stop them all...

pc.

 

[LICamaro85]

So no one has a clear bra on their car? I thought people put these on their cars to stop damage from happening or is it of how pretty the plastic looks...



If anyone has any knowledge or experience with this please let me know.





Thanks Again,



- LI85

 

[UpNorth]

I recently bought a new car and had the 3M film put on the front bumper. I have less than a 700 miles on the car so I can't share a wealth of experience. But I do appreciate the relative peace of mind. I can see marks that probably would have been chips without the film. I haven't yet tried to smooth out or correct my film in any way. I don't like seeing the film edge, but I decided it was worth putting up with as my car is black.



What color is your car?

 

[JPDetail]

I had one installed on my black VW Golf (not sure which brand) but it's definitely worth it IMO. My previous black car was eaten alive by stone chips within the first 2 weeks during my wonderful commute through construction zones.



The edge is an eye sore because I know its there and I always seem to look at it but you'll get used it. When I stare at my car now, I just take a few steps back where the line kind of disappears.



Would I do it again? Probably... even if it only stops 2-3 chips from damaging the finish.

 

[blkacgsr]

I have one on my Mazdaspeed6 and it has worked great so far.

 

[the other pc]

So no one has a clear bra on their car? I thought people put these on their cars to stop damage from happening ...

I guess I’m chopped liver. Just call me Pâté.



I’ll reword my last statement. The 3M clear bra that we’ve had on our MINI for 50,000 miles does a very good job, no rocks have made it down to the paint surface but there a few shallow gouges in the 3m film.





pc.

 

[LICamaro85]

Thanks alot for the replies everyone.



My car is a dark metallic blue so chips are seen very easy just like the black cars.



How much did you pay to have it installed... I am thinking about doing it myself but if it is not too much maybe i will not even bother wasting my time.



I am thinking about getting it on the hood, bumper, front lights and maybe the fenders. I am on the fence with the fenders do not know if it is really needed, you know?





Thanks Again,



- LI 85

 

[Nick1214]

It's probably from when they did construction for 3 months straight on the LIE. I drive the LIE every day and my silver car looked horrible. It may be too late for a clear bra because you will already have chips. It seems like no matter how far I stay back or who I stay behind it doesn't matter the rocks find my car.

 

[JPDetail]

How much did you pay to have it installed... I am thinking about doing it myself but if it is not too much maybe i will not even bother wasting my time.

This probably doesn't help much but it cost $300 CDN to have it installed on my car. I had it done at the dealership so it might be cheaper elsewhere.

I am thinking about getting it on the hood, bumper, front lights and maybe the fenders. I am on the fence with the fenders do not know if it is really needed, you know?

I thought about having the whole package done but I ended up only getting the hood area (where a traditional car bra would be). For the total package which would have included the headlights, fenders etc. the price was in the realm of $1300 CDN give or take.



I had mine installed at the time I bought the car. I'm not sure how it would work in your scenario of adding it after..

 

[SuperBee364]

I guess I’m chopped liver. Just call me Pâté.



I’ll reword my last statement. The 3M clear bra that we’ve had on our MINI for 50,000 miles does a very good job, no rocks have made it down to the paint surface but there a few shallow gouges in the 3m film.





pc.

I'm with ya, PC. I had the 3m film on my Mango Daytona Charger, as well as my yellow SuperBee. I was amazed at how well the 3m film came back from being impacted by high speed debris. I haven't put one on my newest Charger yet, but plan to "real soon now."

Thanks alot for the replies everyone.



My car is a dark metallic blue so chips are seen very easy just like the black cars.



How much did you pay to have it installed... I am thinking about doing it myself but if it is not too much maybe i will not even bother wasting my time.



I am thinking about getting it on the hood, bumper, front lights and maybe the fenders. I am on the fence with the fenders do not know if it is really needed, you know?





Thanks Again,



- LI 85

Once you get the hang of it, it stops being a complete PITA, and is just a regular PITA. It's really not that easy. I did both of mine, under tutelage of my brother. Each one took eight hours to apply, and there were a few spots I just wasn't happy with. Applying a clear bra correctly is as much of a skill as detailing a car. From now on, I'll leave the clear bra application to the professionals.