Hello everyone, I'm taking my MCS on a road trip (2500 miles RT) in a few weeks and would love to have a bra on the front to keep the nasties from chipping the paint, etc.

Colgan or other brands? Where to purchase? I've visited the site sponsors and noted the bras they offer but don't know which one to get/best deal. Of course I could go to the clear bra paint protection but don't really want to go that route as I want something more temporary mostly for this trip.

Thanks!

 

I would not drive with a bra on the car...they cause more
damage than they prevent. Go with the clear and leave it
on. Three Minis and no paint chips. IMHO.

 

>>I would not drive with a bra on the car...they cause more
>>damage than they prevent. Go with the clear and leave it
>>on. Three Minis and no paint chips. IMHO.

I agree. I've never heard anything good about them. No matter how well made they are, they still eventually wear your paint in spots.

Maybe if you just want something for one extended trip it won't cause too many problems, but then again why spend the money for something you only intend to use once?

Enjoy your trip. Sounds like you're in for some fun! I'm jealous.

 

As someone who used a Colgan bra on my last car, I can only tell you what my experience was. When dirt got under the bra, wind and vibration turned it into a kind of sanding machine that dulled my paint quite efficiently.

Now I have to confess I only put the bra on there in the first place to cover the rock chips that were already in the paint. I should have left the chips alone - they would have looked far better than the final result. I sold that car to my nephew and told him NEVER take that bra off!

For my MINI I went with a clear bra. If you drive a lot of highway miles, or just plain drive fast a lot (what? in a MINI?), it's worth the investment.

JMHO.

 

Anybody how easy or difficult it is to apply the Invica-Shield stuff? I managed to do the bonnet stripes (Rogue/Madness) just fine although I wrinkled the first set and had to order another one.....much greater success 2nd time around.

 

I personally don't care about clear bras. I bought a Colgan Custom Bra from http://www.minimania.com and http://www.colgancustom.com/ and have had ZERO problems. Best fitting bra on the market! Paid $99 + shipping.

If you have paint dulling problems or "Vibration" problems with the bra is that it was simply poorly installed. Bras require constant cleaning, removal and maintenance. If you fail to remove it once or twice a week it will give you problems, otherwise it will protect your car perfectly.

 

I have to agree with most everyone else, stay away from the old fashion bra's they cause more damage than protection. I had one on my Miata and when I removed it there was a great deal of abrasion underneath caused from sand that gets trapped.
I can say anything about the new clear bra material though, I haven't used it on my new Mini. If you are serious about the clear material, most companies recommed that you insatll the clear stuff when the car is new or as close to new as possible.

 

Honestly, I've tried the bras that Moss sells (autocraft??) on the Cooper S and was very disapointed. The hood scoop vent on the bra did not match up with the hood intake. The headlight holes were a bit funky, and it looked like a spiders web under the hood with all the straps. I am still looking for a better made bra for the Cooper S, I imagine that the Cooper bras fits better. I think the design of the Cooper and Cooper S hood is so organic/bulbous that trying to put a planar material (like vinyl) over it just does'nt work that well.

That's my two cents...

 

I also need some advice on invinca-shield or similar products. Which brand is best? Can I have the dealer apply a clear bra post-purchase (after I put on my own stripes)? What are some prices on these items?
I feel like I should have everything ready to go as soon as the car gets here so I do as little dirty-ing up as possible before applying add-ons such as tint, stripes and clear bra.

 

>> I bought a Colgan Custom Bra from http://www.minimania.com and http://www.colgancustom.com/ and have had ZERO problems. Best fitting bra on the market! Paid $99 + shipping.
>>

Gotta agree with Cooper4us, IMO, the Colgan is the best fitting bra on the market for the MINI.
No vibrations, thus no "sanding machine" effect. Since the MINI gets washed twice a week, the bra comes off for cleaning so no build up of debris or sand etc.
Take a looksy and decide for yourself....

 

There are very specific rules when using the traditional Vinyl car bras:

1) Buy only the highest OEM quality, best fitting mask available in the market. Colgan Custom and Perfect Fit are tops when it comes to these bras.

2) Colgan Custom Bras are made to exact tolerances, strong construction, superb materials and backing ensuring long lasting protection, quality and excellent fit.

3) Stay away from crappy car bras sold in Walmarts, KMarts, etc. "LeBra" or otherwise known as "Le Crap" is the worst offender. Never buy any products marketed by this brand.

4) Vinyl bras offer excellent protection when they are installed CORRECTLY and COMMON SENSE MAINTENANCE is performed on a weekly basis. Vinyl Car bras are not meant to be put on and left on the car for months and months without any cleaning or removal. If you are LAZY about cleaning the car bra, then don't get one period.

5) Maintain the protected areas under the bra perfectly washed, clayed bar, waxed and polished. You will never have a problem. Abrasion to the clearcoat only occurs when using a low quality and poor fitting car bra.


I have been using my Colgan Custom front end bra (Bonnet and bumper pieces) for about 7 months now and have ZERO problems. I will post some pictures as to how shiny and perfect the front end of our '02 Cooper CVT looks like...showroom fresh no paint chips, no abrasion, nothing, nada.

I have seen the 3M clear paper bras and they look hideous. I don't like them. In fact I don't like anything that "seals" for ever and ever. I still want to see how a "Clear Bra" will look like in 5 or 10 years

_________________
'02 Cooper CVT
On order: '04 Cooper S (Est production date: 9/5/03)

 

>>Honestly, I've tried the bras that Moss sells (autocraft??) on the Cooper S and was very disapointed. The hood scoop vent on the bra did not match up with the hood intake. The headlight holes were a bit funky, and it looked like a spiders web under the hood with all the straps. I am still looking for a better made bra for the Cooper S, I imagine that the Cooper bras fits better. I think the design of the Cooper and Cooper S hood is so organic/bulbous that trying to put a planar material (like vinyl) over it just does'nt work that well.
>>
>>That's my two cents...


Try Colgan Custom instead. What the heck is Autocraft anyway? :smile:

 

get the bra from MiniMania: it's well-made and will save you a bazillion little (and not so little) chips to your paint. If you end up driving through rain, take it off when you stop for the night or you may have some clouding of paint.

 

>>get the bra from MiniMania: it's well-made and will save you a bazillion little (and not so little) chips to your paint. If you end up driving through rain, take it off when you stop for the night or you may have some clouding of paint.


The backing of the Colgan Custom bra prevents the clouding problem because the material "Breathes" and dries off fairly quickly. I have left the mask on after torrential rains with no problems or clouding of the clearcoat.

Clouding may actually happen if you leave the car bra on for 6 months or more with no removal in between.

 

Thanks everybody for all of your opinions :smile:. I placed an order with MiniMania for a Colgan bra, no front plate opening and a set of mirror gloves for the time being - $139 shipped which isn't bad at all. Will consider clear bra protection (Invinca-Shield) in the future!

 

>>Thanks everybody for all of your opinions :smile:. I placed an order with MiniMania for a Colgan bra, no front plate opening and a set of mirror gloves for the time being - $139 shipped which isn't bad at all. Will consider clear bra protection (Invinca-Shield) in the future!


Excellent choice! I also ordered the exterior mirror covers from MINIMANIA as these match the Colgan Custom front mask.


Enjoy!

 

>>>>Thanks everybody for all of your opinions :smile:. I placed an order with MiniMania for a Colgan bra, no front plate opening and a set of mirror gloves for the time being - $139 shipped which isn't bad at all. Will consider clear bra protection (Invinca-Shield) in the future!
>>
>>
>>Excellent choice! I also ordered the exterior mirror covers from MINIMANIA as these match the Colgan Custom front mask.
>>
>>
>>Enjoy!

Thanks - yeah, they should be here early next week. Can't wait!

 

I'd just like to add my thanks to all those who offered feedback, and especially those who praised the Colgan bra. I'm reassured since I have one waiting for my Mina due to come ashore in NYC tomorrow (!)

My plan, having heard of hazards of bras, is to put it on for road trips, take it off for around town, and take it off after driving in the rain. That seems precautionary enough given others' experiences.

Now to learn the technique of unhooking it with one flick of the fingers...sorry, that was juvenile and thus far it had been a responsible threat.

Again, thanks!

 

I've used Colgan bra's on all of my cars since 1996 & never had any paint damage plus it kills LIDAR Laser clocking since we don't have front license plates.

You need to keep them snug, wash the inside every time you take it off and
don't leave it on in the carwash as the blowers will stretch the hood cover
and make it loose for the future.
I never leave it on if I park in the hot sun after a soaking rain for more than an afternoon. If your going to keep driving then it's no problem as your drying it while u drive.