Hey guys I was just wondering, is it truly beneficial and worth the cost of having a clear bra installed on a mini cooper? I am thinking of getting one for my new mini, but I've never had one installed before. Does the clear bra prevent chips and even dents from debris on the freeway? Thanks guys.

 

I think it was worth it. But there is some extra steps needed to take care of the clear bra to keep it shiney and looking new.
So far it has protected my car from paint chips since February (drive to work is 60 miles round trip) and the way I head to work is often stuck behind a 18 wheeler hauling trees

 

yes to all. these cars are magnets for other people's and road debris.

 

Looks bad on darker colors though. I couldn't imagine looking at the transition between the clear bra and midnight black on my Mini...barf

 

Probably my biggest regret of all is NOT getting it.

After several years of daily driving, I'm losing the paint chip battle on the front of the bonnet and the Aero bumper cover, beyond that recoverable with Langka or analogous. Most people don't notice them, but I'm sort of OCD about it. If I want to return the MINI to a showroom quality finish up front, my only credible option is to repaint.

As a side note, the up front components that I had Lyle double-wrap with vinyl a couple of years ago still look almost new. I suspect the clear bra would be equally, if not more, protective.

 

DIY'd our clearbra after delivery 3 years ago and no paint chips yet.

 

I have a clear bra in my Astro Bleck MCS and it is GREAT! It's also hardly noticable until you are right up to the car. No problems with the clear bra on a dark MINI. 41K+ miles and no chips; thank you 3M.

 

Headin' down a federal interstate today that had recently been patched with tar and chips, which were flying everywhere. All I could think was I was glad I did have the clear bra installed... I've had mine on over a year now and I think it's helped a lot!

 

FWIW, there's a MB in our club with a clear bra that looks great. Maybe it's in the installation?

 

I've had it on my Honda, after 2.5 years I've had a few windshield dings but the paint is pristine. I'm sold, got it on the clubbie I just bought.

 

If it is "just a car" then you can skip the expense of a clear bra.
If it is something you want to admire up close for years in the future you have to pay the big bucks.

20K and no paint dings on the clear bra area, but I can find impacts in the film that would have been nasty without it.

 

Thanks Guys for all your replies. i live in orange county, California and i am just wondering if anyone has recommendations as to the installer of the clear bra? I've never gotten this done on a car before, so I just want to make sure I go to the right person to end up with a quality job. Thanks.

 

For those that DIY'd their bra, did anyone use the inexpensive 4mil type. Before I f'd up $200 worth of 3M 8 mil I picked up some 4 mil on ebay for just the bumper to kind of practice as an installer. For the $20 it cost it seemed like an inexpensive way to learn the skill. If I throw $20 in the trash, no big deal.

Has anyone else done the 4 mill? Does it work at all? Probably be a few more weekends before I get around to actually try this stuff. I did my stripes myself and think the technique should be about the same.

 

Even up close, you have to look for the clear shield on a Mello Yellow to see it. The edge is slightly more visible on darker colors. Well worth the price, even if you have a professional do it. Ask your dealer who they use for the installation. They do not do it themselves.

 

yes! it is the way to go; two years after I have it and no chps to restore, the winters in my area are notorious for salt and debris on the highway I do every
day to work, and the bra does its job.