well I'm planning to add stripes to my mini and also a front clear bra.
should the clear bra go over the stripes or under it?

 

I was told the clear bra goes over the bonnet stripes. And that's how mine was done. But I know it's been done the other way also.

Lois

 

I would put the clear bra under the stripes. The stripes are easy to remove and replace. You can't do that if they are under the clear bra.

 

My advice came from the Ultrashield installer. But you do have a good point.

Lois

 

Depends on the bra..if you have one with a attch: warrenty installed (like 3m) then you may want to put stripes over...remove the bra, void the warrenty

 

I have the Clear Bra already on my car but want to add stripes, too. Will they pull off while I am driving and thus be a waste of money? I have emailed CooperFlags about this but have received no reply. Does anyone have stripes already on top of their Clear Bra? If so, how do your like them? Do they make any noticeable effect as they hit the paint past the edge of the plastic, or is the crease pretty much undistinguishable?

 

What about cutting the bra around the stripe? That way there is no big bumps over anything (stripe going over bra...bra going over stripe). Anyone do that?

 

I have mine over the bra. that is the best thing to do if you want to change it !

motor on

ant

 

Is it holding up ok? I mean, it isn't peeling from where it is covering the Clear Bra, is it? I just don't want to buy stripes, install them over the Clear Bra, and then have them not want to stay on...I'm not talking about the "magnetic" ones, but those that are applied on top of the plastic and paint.

 

it is holding up great after 1 year..................no problems , no peeling.............

 

We had our stripes put on under the clear bra:





More pics in this thread if you want to see them:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=35520

 

That's what I had done too.

With clear bra put down under the stripes, you can replace your stripes without replacing the clear bra. Sure the stripes get a little beat up if they are over top of the clearbra, but that just gives you an excuse to express your creativity and replace the stripes for $50 with a new design. Your clearbra will still be intacted.

Another reason to install the clearbra first is that small air bubbles can get trapped along the transition from the bonnet strip to the paint if you put the bra over top. I have seen this on several cars that put the stripes on first.

 

The stripes will adhere just fine (long term) to the clearbra when they are installed on top of the clearbra.

 

I'm about to remove my 3M stripes to put new ones on before Clear Bra. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get these buggers off without scratching the paint?

 

If I would have been smart, I would have had my stripes installed after the clear bra. Alas, I had the factory installed stripes and THEN had the clear bra installed by a body shop guy.

Now, either someone keyed the bonnet of my car, or a cat tried to take a nap on the mini and ended up sliding down. Either way, there is now a semi noticable scratch on one of the bonnet stripes. If I can't fix it, it would have been a $50-$100 problem (just install new stripes). But now, it might be a $500 for the new stripes and the new clear bra.

So, my advice is to do like I do when I dress myself: Bra first, then add the accessories.

 

Had the stripes done first, and the clear bra added on top. You can see where the clear bra is coming up a little on each side of the stripe.

I would definetely get the stripes done after the bra!

 

I'm starting to think my installer advised me wrong If my stripes need to come off then it's another $400 for the clear bra

Lois

 

I might be doing that soon, depending on whether I can get the scratch off my stripe. If need be, I'm thinking about trying to salvage the bra by cutting it a little and then trying to remove the stripe from underneath. I do wish I would have got the bra after though.

 

As a professional installer here is my 2 cents. No they will not come off when your driving. Once the stripes are on the only way to get them off is to pull them off yourself. You will see an edge because the clear bra is a very thick material. You will not however notice it from a few feet away. Like in that picture of the PW/CS
The stripes will come off with out pulling up the clear bra as well. So you can replace them any time.

Hope that helps. PM me if you need some stripes.

 

... We have a winner... This is a very good solution to the presented dilemma. The stripes render almost the same protection that the clear bra does... and this way you get around any stripe removal (without damaging the bra) issues.:smile:

 

...hair dryer on medium heat setting at the leading edge until it warms up sufficiently and carefully pry it up slowly and it will then peel away without any harm to your paintwork.:smile:

 

ARe the stripes from the sport package installed at the factory or at the dealer?

 

At the factory unless the dealer tells them not to. The dealer doesn't make any money on them when the factory installs them so sometimes the dealer just orders the cars plain. That way they can charge what ever they want.

To much in my opinion.

 

My MCS had the clear bra installed when I bought it and I wanted to add the stripes on top. There was a big debate at the dealership weather or not they would stick properly. I got in touch with the guy that installed the bra and He said anything would stick to it no problem. If I did want to peel it off and put the stripes under, the thing just peels right off. I didn't ask, but isn't the 3M Bra installed like window tint, like no glue or anything, just some soapy water and a squeegee?

I went ahead and just had them go right over the bra. So far no problems. Of course you can see the bump where the stripe hits the bra, but that bump is better than a $400 new bra if I want to change them out.

 

...some of the most aggressive glue in the biz... it is activated with alcohol (and a soapy "slip solution") and it is how the clear bra adheres so well and why it also comes with a 5 year warranty against peeling.... (yellowing... cracking etc...). This is essentially what 3M is most "famous" for, ...their adhesives. :smile: