Clear Bra?

[ArcticRaptor]

I had the clear bra done over the entire hood with factory decals. The shop trims around the decals and does not go over them. They also did the rockers, grille, headlights, pillars and full fenders. The flares are being painted this week, and I'll have those wrapped in a couple of months.

 

[DanT]

What prep prior to install?

 

[Jace21583]

What prep prior to install?

Clean, de-wax, do any paint correction if you want and clay bar it.

 

[Jace21583]

Getting my windows tinted this week. I think I will put the clear bra on as well. They have 12" or 18" options...I told them 12" but im not too familiar with the application and if it was needed? Or if Clear Bra is a rip off altogether?

It's not a rip off. And today's materials shouldn't yellow over time and crack like they used to. I'd say go as high as you can. People that have bug and mud issues may not be coating their wrap, which can be done with any assortment of waxes or ceramic sprays.

 

[Proflyer]

I just had mine done. They went around the decals on the hood, looks great. A good shop who's been in biz for years will warranty it as well. If it peels or cracks or fades they'll replace it. I paid $300 to do the headlights and all the painted parts up front (around headlights, hood up about 1' and mirror backs). Looks great. You can buff/polish it just like you do the rest of the paint. Good 3M or equivalent is also 'self healing' so it should take a rock and then kinda smooth itself out with heat in the sun. I also had him put some on the front camera. I somehow took a rock square in the lens and it broke it. New camera was $300 just for the part! Hopefully if that happens again it'll protect the lens.

 

[MeanTangerine]

Had a clear bra on my Gen 1 for about 8 years. It’s saved my truck from a lot of damage. I have the full front done up to the front of the hood vents, mirrors and headlights. Anyone who wants to know how to remove bug guts from it should try Plexus or Prep Solvent. Prep solvent removes the tar without damaging the bra, and the plexus removes bird crap stains and bug guts with ease. I am detailing my truck as I type this.

 

[anothervr6kid]

I like the full hood done. I had a car with the partial hood and fenders and hated seeing that line on it. My buddy has the decal and they cut around it.

 

[Rollofire]

GO full or go home, Ive had Full PPF on all my cars and trucks, The first time i did PPF on my truck I did the 18" cover on the hood, big mistake because where the film ended it would collect dirt an grime leaves dark line there. Took it off and ever since have done full PPF on all my cars and trucks!

 

[FlaRod]

I agree with Rollofire.... I have had PPF on a couple of vehicles now. Go full PPF on your hood at least, or you will end up hating it and will always see that line. It costs more for certain, but you will be happier. Also, another poster recommended waxing or using a sealant over the PPF. Good idea. I just had the Raptor done in Ceramic Pro and my wife's X5 as well, and had her hood covered in PPF (the PPF actually hid some of her scratches on the hood from a car wash that I could not polish out)... The ceramic pro dealer has a PPF called Kavaca that is made by Ceramic Pro that has the Ceramic coating already applied to the PPF. It cleans up SUPER easy.... I highly recommend going that route, because as someone mentioned.... Bugs do stick to normal PPF and it can be harder to clean if not coated in a wax or sealant. The ceramic pro PPF is the best of both worlds... Just find a good installer that will do the pre-work before they put the PPF down. They should be washing, claying and doing a polish at the minimum before applying the PPF. Good luck..

One last note... I was super angry with myself for not putting PPF on the Raptor and just doing a Ceramic Pro Gold coating only... We took it to Colorado (from Florida) to see our daughter and had a cement/rock truck pelt the holy &^&* out of the truck when he got on the freeway. I almost came unglued as I just bought the Raptor a couple months or so ago.... When we finally pulled off.... Not one ding, not one scratch... Even the pebbles that hit the windshield, did nothing to it...... I was speachless. Ceramic DOES protect the vehicle more than I thought, but PPF is the surefire way to protect against rocks. Somehow..... Ceramic was just enough in my case. I could not believe it.

 

[Hogvet]

Getting my windows tinted this week. I think I will put the clear bra on as well. They have 12" or 18" options...I told them 12" but im not too familiar with the application and if it was needed? Or if Clear Bra is a rip off altogether?

I always get the clear bra. I used 3M for a coupe and my company switched to EXPEL. I have had it on 4 vehicles and swear by it. I did the entire front end of the painted parts of my 2020 Raptor and the inside of the door handles as well as the front lights. Front end means from the front door forward. So worth it!