So I've been thinking more and more about getting a clear bra installed on my soon-to-be-delivered Cooper. Talked to my MA today to find out a few things. He says that the bonnet stripes are installed at the factory, and the clear bra is installed at the dealer. I've heard people say to install the stripes over the clear bra, and not the other way around. But if I want it installed it'll have to be over my stripes. Is this not advisable at all? I'm told the reason is that if you have to replace your stripes you have to replace the clear bra as well, and the bra is significantly more expensive. But seriously, why would I have to replace my bonnet stripes???

Also, what's the deal with washing/waxing with a clear bra installed? I'm assuming you don't wax the bra. But you wash it like normal, correct?

Any advice would be great, as I really want to take care of this car...

 

LOTS of threads on this topic. You may want to search and read up some more.

Short version: stripes replacement is typically governed by personal taste, which tends to change more than once every 5 years (which is about how long clear bra can last). MANY people who thought they'd be happy with their factory stripes decided 12 months later that they wanted to go stripe-less, or that they wanted different color or different style stripes (there is a whole universe of stripe options out there, and the OEM stripes are among the cheapest-looking and ugliest, IMHO).

Stripes are also subject to rock damage, etc. on the uncovered parts.

I got my clearbra over my factory stripes, and regretted it later.

The OEM stripes are so inexpensive, my counsel would be to have them REMOVE the factory stripes, apply clearbra, then either re-install a new set of OEM stripes or get some nicer and more you-nique aftermarket stripes.

You wash, polish, and seal/wax the clearbra just like the paint.

Some folks don't like the look... but I LOVE my clearbra. It's made a huge difference in keeping my MINI looking new for 40,000 miles.

 

Oh trust me, I've read up on it. And everything I read talked about installing under the stripes if you want to replace them. I just can't see why I'd want to replace them. And if they can be damaged by road debris, wouldn't putting them UNDER the bra keep that from happening anyway?

 

I went with a local VentureShield installer. They have a pattern that does not cover the bonnet stripes. They were cheaper and have a better warranty (lifetime versus 5 years) than if I went with the clear bra from the dealer.

 

Partially. Many members have reported road debris damage on the bonnet above the clear-bra.

If you are confident you will not be replacing/removing the stripes for aesthetic reasons, then covering them up is fine.

A third option is to have the clear bra cut around the bonnet stripes. You lose some debris protection, but then there is no overlap of the two.

 

I actually had mine installed over the stripes. Then later removed the stripes by "cutting" them out - which left a nice, stripe-shaped cutout in the remaining bra. Then I replaced them with OEM-shaped aftermarket stripes which I had fully laminated with clear-bra material. This worked out well for me an is a great solution, but ONLY if you want OEM-cut stripes (many aftermarket stripes are a different width or shape).

Also, that doesn't help if you decide later that you'd prefer a checkmate stripe, or a viper stripe, or....

Trust me, I was 100% certain when I ordered my car that the OEM stripes would always be what I wanted. And 6 months later I was 100% certain that they were NOT what I wanted.

 

I too had my clear bra installed over my Factory installed stripes. It's been 11 months, and so far , no regrets.