I am a new 2015 Cooper S owner (Moonwalk Grey Metallic). The car has black bonnet stripes on it that the dealer will be replacing in a few days due to spotting and blemishes.

My intention is to have clear bra applied to the car as soon as possible. I live in Colorado where they somtime sand the roads during the winter months. Keeping a car or bike nice without clear bra is pretty much impossible.

I would appreciate your input on the following options or other thoughts you might have:

1. Have the clear bra installed after the new bonnet stripes are applied.
   
2. Have the clear bra installed after the new bonnet stripes are applied and cover the bonnet stripes with clear bra also to keep them from discoloring over time (if that is even possible).
   
3. Have the bonnet stripes applied after the clear bra is installed (if that is even possible).

Thanks,
Brad

 

I'd put the bra on overtop, and have the stripes under.

The factory stripes are prone to blemishes and whatnot... so is all soft vinyl decals. It shows especially on the glossy black. The good thing is the stripes are easy and cheap to replace yourself. You can use a wax to seal the vinyl to prevent discoloring or fading.

 

On my Lotus, I had the stripes added over the clear bra...Then again the entire nose is covered in clear bra. On my MINI, I had the clear bra added around the stripes, as the stripes were on the car before I added the clear bra, and it's only about 18" up the hood. I don't have any stripes on my F56 yet, and plan on striping and adding clear bra to the nose...Just not 100% sure how i'm going to do it yet, though.

 

I plan to use the glossifer dip instead of clear bra.

 

I'm interested in this so please let me know hot it turns out.

 

Glossifier dip?

Yes please share, post some pictures.

Clear bra and stripes is a tale of compromises.

Clear bra on top of stripes leaves white lines along the stripes, and you must cover the entire hood/bonnet otherwise dirt and grime will get in the inevitable gaps next to the stripes.

Stripes on top of clear bra leaves the stripes unprotected and the stripes look like they float on the car.

Clear plastidip might be the perfect solution.

 

I am using the Plasti-dip Glossifier.

Started this afternoon, by the time I was done it was dark. Ill have to take pics in the day time.

In these pictures, I only had 1 layer done.

 

Looks like it came out better than I thought. Im still not 100% satisfied. I do see spray lines, that's because Ive never really done plasti-dip. So Ill probably respray it and I think itll look a lot better.

 

Looks better than I thought it'd turn out as well. How thick of a layer is on there?

 

Can't wait to see more pics! Yeah I'm curious how many coats you put on and did you block off behind your grill? Is it unnaturally glossy compared to the rest of the car? lol

 

I did 3 layers. I dont think its enough. I should at least put 5-6 coats. Also there are some places that it had drip marks. Im going to take it all off and redo it.

 

I sprayed everything including the grill/chrome/headlamps/fogs. Once I was done, I peeled away the headlamps and fogs.

I think second time around it should come out the way I want it. Will probably do it this weekend

 

Did it seem like it was thick enough like a normal vinyl clear bra to protect from rocks, etc? Very interesting product to say the least!

 

3 layers that i put on, not enough. That's why I am planning on putting at least 5. I think that should be good enough to prevent chips and bugs.

Right now its good enough for just bugs.

 

I'd be interested to know as I am currently having my front bumper resprayed and was thinking of doing a clear bra, but if this product holds up well I may try it out.

 

How is the shine on it? Is it even and smooth like a clear coat? Or is it a little grainy?

 

There is a very very light matte look if you really look close enough. But for the most part, from 2-3 feet away. You cant tell there is anything on it.

Again, I only did 3 layers. I will let you guys know when I do 5-6 coats. That might make it look different.

Just to give you a background on why I ended up going with Plasti-dip Glossifier:
I wanted to get something that protected my hood against bugs and rock chips. On my previous car ('12 VW Passat), I bought a 3M clear bra ($250 .. included hood/bumper/mirror) and it took about 2 hours to install. It was a pain, especially doing it by yourself. It was pretty annoying. So I wanted to avoid doing the same on my MINI and try to find an alternative. Asked the dealer how much they would do it for; they said ~$900. That is yeaaaah not cheap. So I was like Ill try Plasti-dip, so I bought Plasti-Dip Clear Matte, and that was really matte didnt like it. A friend told me about the Glossifier, big difference. /tangent done

 

Thanks for the info. If the 5-6 coats work out for you I might do it as well.

 

So you did not block off your intercooler/radiator behind the grill? I don't think a clear coat of rubber allows for much airflow... Just as a thought, maybe stuff some plastic bags or newspaper behind your grill as protection.

I'm not trying to knock what you're doing. I'm really impressed with the outcome and am thinking about doing this too.

 

You are absolutely right, will take that advise and block it off when I redo the dip.
Thanks !

 

Good luck and I appreciate you pioneering this project for us

 

So I took of the dip, had to rub it off and of course that caused a light scratches in the clear coat. :/ took me about 2.5 hrs to take everything off.

Learned Lesson: Put more layers on !!

I havent gone back and redid it. Ill have to do that later in the week.

 

So I did some experimentation of my own, with a product called Road Warrior Plus, basically specifically designed as a temporary vinyl protective layer for cars, trucks, RVs and motorcycles...

THIS WAS A BAD IDEA, please don't try it on your cars.

See more info in my project thread here: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ml#post4126478

I went ahead and I ordered a 3M Scotchguard Pro kit form invisiblemask.com and will be going the more semi-permanent route.

 

i ordered the same kit from invisiblemask. waiting for it to come in. i have a big sheet of 3m clear bra as well and will put it over the black hood stripes and a few other areas that are easy to cut out on my own

 

just fyi, i had xpel clear bra done on top of the stripes - the installed just cut "relief' lines in the clear bra for them:

http://r56hs.com/2013/11/01/xpel-ultimate-clear-bra/