Front Mask

[Peter B]

Im thinking about getting a front mask for my speed for the winter. With all the rock salt and crap on the road, this seems like it might be a good investment.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/spe...17&carLineCode=MZ3&startModelYear=2004&bhcp=1

A couple of dealers have been of no use to me in getting a price or availability. I did find some OEM ones however on ebay. The problem was they were for the regular 3, not the speed. Anyone know if the front mask for a regular 3 will fit on a speed?

Are there any 3rd party masks that could be purchased? I have yet to find any for the speed.

 

[CWPspeed3]

I have seen people on this forum with the mazda OEM bra on their speeds so I believe it fits, I dont have any experience with it. i got a clear bra instead, make sure salt doesnt get trapped under the mask and rub and scratch on your paint all winter. That could cause more damage than leaving it unprotected all winter.

 

[sleeper3]

get a clear bra installed and be done with it

 

[Peter B]

I have heard the clear ones yellow over time. But how much do they cost?

Anyone ever install one of these front masks? How do they go on?

-Pete

 

[CWPspeed3]

On a red car you shouldnt notice yellowing too much, depending on what brand you go with how fast it will yellow, they all will yellow eventually. They are quite expensive though, I know some people did it themselves and more power to them but it took just shy of 8hrs and $800 when i had mine done by a pro.

 

[Peter B]

$800 for a big clear sticker!?!? Holy Sh*t Batman! We are talking about just the front of the car right?

Can the clear bra be removed if it does yello? If i did go this rout i would be inclined to go with the 3M brand

 

[xtrememps]

My problem with clear bras is you could just repaint your bumper for cheaper! That and I have a white car so it's gonna be a challenge keeping that thing looking clear.

I'm contemplating getting a normal bra just to put on for short periods when the roads are really nasty....

 

[CWPspeed3]

All the clear bra brands are about the same price, its the labor to install that jacks up the price. I have the front of my car, 17" up the hood and the rest of the front, rearview mirrors and under all the door handles. The bra can be removed if it yellows or for whatever other reason youd want to remove it. 3M brand is the thickest film I believe, venture shield is the thinnish, I went with Avery because of its visibility on a white car.

 

[Peter B]

Just checked with the local zeibart guys. $1100.00 for the nose and mirrors! Way out of my price range! The more I look into this the more it seems like I might just have to go without either.

I have been told that the black masks can trap dirt and salt which can actually rub through the paint job.

How much does it cost to get a front bumper repainted?

 

[xtrememps]

Yeah I'm aware...the labor is the killer! I might consider getting one if I could leran how to do it but on second thought...nahhhh..

 

[sleeper3]

I got the avery too. in fact, I think I remember your "which one should I get" thread and I was pushing the avery one.

only difference was that mine was $250

 

[sleeper3]

the clear bra is without a doubt the best mod on my car so far.

 

[CWPspeed3]

I got the avery too. in fact, I think I remember your "which one should I get" thread and I was pushing the avery one.

only difference was that mine was $250

Haha yes I remember you suggesting that one, which was also the one the installer suggested. he had 3M, venture guard, and avery in stock. I just wish he would have used the template that covered more, there was someone on here whose went 26" up the hood or something.

Ziebart or whoever wanted a ton and most of the other quotes i got were $950, venture shield/guard whatever is the cheapest and i got a quote for that at $720 i think.

 

[Peter B]

I got the avery too. in fact, I think I remember your "which one should I get" thread and I was pushing the avery one.

only difference was that mine was $250

Where did you get it for $250? That is way more affordable!

 

[xtrememps]

That'd be awesome! I really want to get one but my sensible side is winning over my anal side. I mean really...I could get it painted for less than a clear bra after it gets bit up enough. And the clear bra can still get chewed up by crappy parallel parkers (I do live in Jersey)..

 

[CWPspeed3]

That'd be awesome! I really want to get one but my sensible side is winning over my anal side. I mean really...I could get it painted for less than a clear bra after it gets bit up enough. And the clear bra can still get chewed up by crappy parallel parkers (I do live in Jersey)..

The guy that did my clear bra owns a company in chicago too. He says there the only thing anyone ever gets are the front and rear bumpers from all the parallel parkers drive by touch method, it really helps to lessen the damage to the car. Have you ever seen the ads where they shoot the clear bra with a pellet rifle and remove it and theres no damage to the car?

 

[SRTCE142]

Here's a kit that I found searching through the forums.

http://rockblocker.com/store/38321(1).htm

I wish I could do this by myself, but I know it wouldn't come out right. 3M only has 1 recommended location near me (60 miles away). Emailed them and no response

Here's the mazda front mask (vinyl)

http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazdaspeed3-frontmask.html

 

[sleeper3]

my installer said that the 3m one is the hardest to take off. I like that the avery is easy to take off, cause if there is ever a problem, I'll just get a section replaced... plus it has a 5 year warranty.

 

[Peter B]

Sleeper3 how/where did you get it done for $250?

 

[sleeper3]

I got connections