Clear bra question
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Clear bra question
I was washing my car the other day & found there're at least 10 stone chips on my front bumper!!! 
Which led me to have the idea of getting a clear bra for my car. However, I havent seen one in person, so I dont really know how does it work or what does it look like. Is it a thin plastic sheet that will cover the front 1/4 of yr car (like the ordinary black bra?) And will dirt be gathered along the edge of the bra then?
Which led me to have the idea of getting a clear bra for my car. However, I havent seen one in person, so I dont really know how does it work or what does it look like. Is it a thin plastic sheet that will cover the front 1/4 of yr car (like the ordinary black bra?) And will dirt be gathered along the edge of the bra then?
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C320
I've got one on mine. It's very thin and bearly noticable. It covers the bumper, hood, headlamps, and the side mirrors.
The most noticable thing: Looks like I've got a long scratch across the hood about a third of the way up. Only visible on a bright day with when the car is very clean!
The most noticable thing: Looks like I've got a long scratch across the hood about a third of the way up. Only visible on a bright day with when the car is very clean!
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
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From: Oro Valley, AZ
2001 C240 6spd
I am getting the stonegard clear bra put on next week. I know there are alot of people who have used the x-pel one. I think the stonegard is more expensive. For the full kit: headlamp cover, side mirror cover, full front end package...it was about $475. This does not include installation. I will find out next week how much that will cost me. They estimated about $125 or so. About 3 hours to install. I will report next week when I get it installed.
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'01 C240/6
Re: Clear bra question
Originally posted by Harris
I was washing my car the other day & found there're at least 10 stone chips on my front bumper!!! Which led me to have the idea of getting a clear bra for my car. However, I havent seen one in person, so I dont really know how does it work or what does it look like. Is it a thin plastic sheet that will cover the front 1/4 of yr car (like the ordinary black bra?) And will dirt be gathered along the edge of the bra then?
I was washing my car the other day & found there're at least 10 stone chips on my front bumper!!!
Which led me to have the idea of getting a clear bra for my car. However, I havent seen one in person, so I dont really know how does it work or what does it look like. Is it a thin plastic sheet that will cover the front 1/4 of yr car (like the ordinary black bra?) And will dirt be gathered along the edge of the bra then?
I found that on my car, its really only the bumper that gets chipped. So I only put the bumper kit on my car. On the bumper, it is really pretty much invisible. If someone didn't tell you it was there, or you were really looking for it, I'd guess no one would ever even notice it.
Dirt does not gather at the edges of it at all.
I looked at some cars that had the hood kit on them. I found that the hood kit was too noticeable to me. The problem is (1) its an almost horizontal surface and (2) its a seam going across a flat sheet of hood. like Michael B points out. (You don't notice the bumper kit as much because its down low, vertical, and 99% of it runs along edges). I didn't like it because it was a little too noticeable on the hood, plus I don't get any hood chips (or chips on the mirrors). Its been over a year and 8000 miles now with just the bumper kit, and I have gotten ZERO stone chips!
Total cost was $199 from xpel (installed myself). I think that the bumper kit really is an almost mandatory thing for anyone who owns their car and plans on keeping it for a while. These front bumpers chip so easily, its ridiculous.
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From: DFW
My car will probably be at the dealer in a day or so, so help me out....Isn't the bumper just a plastic/rubbery cover? Are what you describe just paint chips, or actual dents? Are there truly not that many problems with hood being chipped/dented? Reason I ask is because I was debating on just getting the hood kit since the bumper cover (I assume) is rubber and won't dent. Kinda thought the rocks would bounce off rather than chip the buper's paint. Guess that was incorrect.
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'01 C240/6
The bumper is a plastic type material, but it is painted and will chip like crazy. At least on my car it did. I already had a couple chips before I had 900 miles on it, so I immediately put the xpel kit on.
Rocks most definately don't just bounce off the bumper! They leave nasty chips.
Whether you need the hood kit really depends on the type of driving you do. Lots of highway driving, high speeds, close behind other cars and trucks, etc. its probably a good idea. My car is mainly just an around town car, and I have not gotten a single hood chip in 9000 miles.
Rocks most definately don't just bounce off the bumper! They leave nasty chips.
Whether you need the hood kit really depends on the type of driving you do. Lots of highway driving, high speeds, close behind other cars and trucks, etc. its probably a good idea. My car is mainly just an around town car, and I have not gotten a single hood chip in 9000 miles.
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Originally posted by shtatc
I am getting the stonegard clear bra put on next week. I know there are alot of people who have used the x-pel one. I think the stonegard is more expensive. For the full kit: headlamp cover, side mirror cover, full front end package...it was about $475. This does not include installation. I will find out next week how much that will cost me. They estimated about $125 or so. About 3 hours to install. I will report next week when I get it installed.
I am getting the stonegard clear bra put on next week. I know there are alot of people who have used the x-pel one. I think the stonegard is more expensive. For the full kit: headlamp cover, side mirror cover, full front end package...it was about $475. This does not include installation. I will find out next week how much that will cost me. They estimated about $125 or so. About 3 hours to install. I will report next week when I get it installed.
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Thread Starter
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Hey guys, thank you for all the informative replies!
MichaelB, after looking at the pictures, I guess I'll just get the bumper kit for now. I still think the lines are quite noticable on the hood. Will update you all later. Thanks again!!!
MichaelB, after looking at the pictures, I guess I'll just get the bumper kit for now. I still think the lines are quite noticable on the hood. Will update you all later. Thanks again!!!
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From: Oro Valley, AZ
2001 C240 6spd
I got the stongard installed yesterday. I got the full package - includes:
1. front end - 8 pieces: hood; 2 fender pieces; 5 bumper pieces
2. side mirrors (2)
3. door handle pockets (4)
4. door sills (4)
5. trunk sill (1)
6. headlamp (2)
7. fog lamp (2)
It took about 4 hours to install - had it done a one of stongard's guys. Installation cost $200. I dont think I would have been able to do this on my own.
Looks good, but seems to be more noticable on white paint. the installer had a copper coloured Suburban - seemed not as noticeable on darker coloured cars.
1. front end - 8 pieces: hood; 2 fender pieces; 5 bumper pieces
2. side mirrors (2)
3. door handle pockets (4)
4. door sills (4)
5. trunk sill (1)
6. headlamp (2)
7. fog lamp (2)
It took about 4 hours to install - had it done a one of stongard's guys. Installation cost $200. I dont think I would have been able to do this on my own.
Looks good, but seems to be more noticable on white paint. the installer had a copper coloured Suburban - seemed not as noticeable on darker coloured cars.
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'01 C240/6
Originally posted by shtatc
I got the stongard installed yesterday. I got the full package - includes:
1. front end - 8 pieces: hood; 2 fender pieces; 5 bumper pieces
2. side mirrors (2)
3. door handle pockets (4)
4. door sills (4)
5. trunk sill (1)
6. headlamp (2)
7. fog lamp (2)
It took about 4 hours to install - had it done a one of stongard's guys. Installation cost $200. I dont think I would have been able to do this on my own.
Looks good, but seems to be more noticable on white paint. the installer had a copper coloured Suburban - seemed not as noticeable on darker coloured cars.
I got the stongard installed yesterday. I got the full package - includes:
1. front end - 8 pieces: hood; 2 fender pieces; 5 bumper pieces
2. side mirrors (2)
3. door handle pockets (4)
4. door sills (4)
5. trunk sill (1)
6. headlamp (2)
7. fog lamp (2)
It took about 4 hours to install - had it done a one of stongard's guys. Installation cost $200. I dont think I would have been able to do this on my own.
Looks good, but seems to be more noticable on white paint. the installer had a copper coloured Suburban - seemed not as noticeable on darker coloured cars.
Yes, the 3M material is definately, by far, the most noticeable on white. If you look on the xpel site, they will tell you that.
Seems like your car is 50% covered now!
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From: Oro Valley, AZ
2001 C240 6spd
In reading some previous posts about guys installing stongard/xpel themselves, i thought about it. But after watching this guy do it, I am glad that I had him do it. The front end pieces seems the hardest (bumper pieces). But I question whether or not stongard is better than x-pel...they are made out of the same product.
