I posted about this in the main area but figured I'd try again here cause, you know, locals...

I got my MINI almost exactly one year ago from Towson with dealer installed Clearbra.

Just yesterday, though, I noticed the clearbra had developed...issues.


It looks like...I dunno...stretch marks? There are suddenly large spots of visible "haze" or discoloration in various places all over the clearbra. When I first came out and saw it, I thought for sure someone had hit my car, as the darker areas of haze looked like dents. On closer inspection, I don't think anything hit me... It's really hard to tell because this haze effect is like an optical illusion but from running my hands around the hood, around the lights, etc, I can't find anything that feels like a dent.


It's strange, though, because I don't know what else could cause it to happen all of a sudden, one year after installation.

I need to look up my paperwork to see what kind of guarentee the Clearbra came with but I thought I'd see if anyone else has had any strange issues like this.


I'm almost due for regular maintainence, I'm considering just having it taken off, maybe get a regular strap on guard for the front....erm...they make those for minis, right? Can't recall ever seeing one.

 

it was probably installed by proform:
http://www.proformauto.com/content.php?id=contact
should be at least a one year warranty

 

There is some maintainence required for the clear bra. They suggest you wax it at least once a year. It will help it retain the clear look. However, I believe the warranty covers hazing and yellowing of the clear bra.

 

Do you mean one of those leather bras? From all I have read here on NAM (I feel I spend too much time reading old posts but anyway...) it seems they are even more prone to problems than a clear bra.

 

They are pretty bad. If you get a little grip behind them and you drive for a while you can effecively sand down your bonnet. This is due to the way that it is secured to the bonnet (just straps and tape).

 

Just as a minorly interesting followup (in case anyone ever searches on "clearbra issues" later and finds this thread)...

The haze vanished by itself after a while. It re-appears when it's really cold out but at least now it's obvious that it's something with the clearbra and wasn't anything to do with damage. Maybe...extreme cold...contracts the metal...and...uh...causes temporary haze? I dunno.

I'd probably have an interesting time getting it replaced under warrenty since most of the time it looks absolutely normal.


I'll probably just ignore it. :-p As long as it's nothing wrong with the car itself, I can always have it stripped/replaced on my own later if it ever becomes a real problem. The important thing is that it's still proctecting my nose from damage!

Next MINI, I might have to ponder if I want this stuff again or not. Nobody likes little paint chips from small rocks but usually that stuff is only apparent if you look closely. Haze is apparent from 50 feet away...

 

We have the clearbra on both our MINIs. Towson did one installation and Sterling the other. (IMO Towson did a much better job of it.) I have seen cars the same age as ours (Jan 03 and Jul 04) without and the rock chips can be very apparent from a distance too. Guess it depends on the roads folks drive on.

You will probably be glad you have it in the long term. My biggest problem now is that I am a lazy waxer and have build up along the edges of the clear bra.

 

I didn't get the clearbra when I bought my MINI, and a regret it. I thought that it was pointless and a dealer 'scam' (i.e., I had it in the same category as a 'professional' Scotch-guarding with a $10 can for $300 ). But looking at my MINI now, the bonnet looks horrible. I'd get it repainted if I had the $ and the time to let it sit. (You have to let it sit for a couple of months before they'll put on a clearbra, otherwise it could damage and/or remove the fresh paint!)

-Paul!

 

My little one is sitting at the docs as we speak but when it arrives at Tate the first thing it is getting is the invisishield. I had an MX-5 and could not stand seeing the front end catch hell even though I have a good friend who owns a body shop in Prince Frederick.