mazda5 bra

[skyhawk]

Has anyone used a Bra for their cars? How effective is it at preventing stone chips during long drives?

 

[fam]

Have always heard it does more damage than good (scratches vehicle then if you leave it on too long the paint looks different) and its fugly. They make clear 3m protective sheets that are cut to the size of your car as well if youre worried about chips but by the time you buy stuff like this (that looks hideous) you could take your chances and worse case scenario you get a bad sing and then you repaint that panel. Just my .02 and sometimes its worth less than that

 

[BadKarma]

+1

Save the bra, throw it at Tom Jones instead.

 

[BlackCherry06]

They're the best protection available, but that protection comes at a cost: Maintenance.

The most common mistake I see people make is just to install it and forget about it. It has to be removed periodically and cleaned, as well as the paint underneath it. Sand and road grit eventually finds its way under the bra and if left unchecked, can act as sandpaper on the paint. And leaving it on wet...that's paint homocide. You can get away with it a few times, but long term, it's just a bad idea.

I used bras on several of my cars over the years, including my 2004 3i and have always had good luck, but I kept them cleaned and well maintained. If you're not so inclined, don't get one.

As far as damaging the paint..it only happens if you don't maintain it. Trust me..after 5 different cars ranging from 1991 to 2004, I can testify to how well they can work when used properly. If you're a no-maintenance type of person, invest in a clear bra. Pricey, but very convenient. Colgan makes my favorite bra. It fit my 2002 Altima like a glove and kept its shape for years. They're thickly padded and generally high quality.

 

[skyhawk]

thanks for the info. I'm a 'maintenance' fanatic type. The kind who keeps the engine and surrounding clean and shiny. Maintaining the 'Bra' and what it is protecting should be no problem.

 

[NCZ13]

if your only planning on going on one road trip.

nothings sicker than a blue painters tape front end =)

cheap, easy to remove, and does the job.

 

[dreamym5]

try xpel.com it is clear protective film that i used to protect my fogs on my Honda Fit. they also make bumper protective flim.. etc..

 

[skyhawk]

How do you guys deal with poor flying insects that gets sucked past the mz5 front grill and stuck into the a/c radiator? Do you use those bug screens?

 

[fam]

Easy. I dont worry about it, mostly because I cant see it. Even in the land of swarms of mayflies (thanks NW ohio!) nothing really gets in the radiator other than air. They should cook off the radiator quickly enough never to cause a problem unless your bugs are the size of chris farley, then Id say you would need more than a new radiator.

 

[coolmazda5]

unless your bugs are the size of chris farley

(shocked)... (lol2)

 

[skyhawk]

It was worth it. The bra that is.

 

[raspykart]

It was worth it. The bra that is.

thinking we may get one too, got dents, dings, scratches from rocks in our bumper and I've heard horror stories about clear bra like stuff yellowing and based on how much a clear bra setup is... thats crazy. Oddly enough I have grazing rock chips along the side of the car.

 

[JFRCross]

Agree with Fam. Bras cause scratches from sand and grit that gets trapped between the bra and paint. It does not matter how often you take it off and clean both the paint and underside of bra, all it takes is a bit of time on the road and the grit and sand will damage you paint finish.

I am looking into the clear 3M protection that DreamyM5 mentioned.

 

[kls2000]

I have had a bra on my 99 Millenia S pretty much since day one. (I have actually replaced the bra a few times, just because it gets ratty). Like the others have said, I pretty much look at it like this.

With the bra, you occassionally have to remove the bra (if at least undo the sides to spray out any junk) but you will still get scratches just from the bra itself on the bumper/hood.

Without the bra, you will get scratches, knicks, etc...

I was lucky because I actually like the look of the front with the bra more then I did without so it was an easy choice. Black car, Black Bra...

 

[South-FL-5]

And if you cant afford a Bra for your 5 i use bounce fabric sheets that you throw in the dryer. just added a little water on the nose of the car and wipe away the bugs at works great on the windshield.. too.