Clear bra is a paint protective film layer you apply to the exterior of vehicle? While this goes beyong standard paint protection for most people, auto enthusiasts love it for it’s ability to reform itself when heat is applied. Below I will discuss where to get clear bra applied, the benefits, how it differs from ceramic coating, and what to consider when hiring a shop to do it. I’ll also share my experience with the place that does clear bra near me.
Find Clear Bra Near Me – Detailers that Apply Clear Bra
For auto detailers that do “Clear Bra Near Me”, see the map below…
What is Clear Bra?
Clear bra is a paint protection film (PPF) in used in auto detailing. More specifically it is an advanced polyurethane clear adhesive backed film that covers a variety of surfaces like plastic, metal, aluminum, and chrome.
It is commonly applied to the front of a vehcile to protect the paint from road debris (like rocks) and scratches. It is often not consider a full body coverage solution though and it is only applied to the area where the most related types of damage occur. There are some PPF’s that can do full body.
One of the coolest traits of some of the PPF products are their ability to self heal. When a chip occurs into the bra, the polyurethane reforms it’s layer when in the heat of the sun. Not all PPF products are truly self healing, so you need to check which kind the auto detailer is using.
What are the Benefits
PPF’s in general are great product with many benefits. Here are the biggest reasons to consider applying one to your vehicle…
Best Paint Protection You Can Get
It provides a strong protective layer to defend your paint against rocks, scratches, road debris, and other light things that hit your car while driving. It is stronger and protects the best of all products against paint chipping.
Some Clear Bra Products Self Heal
Not all products self heal, but those that do are amazing. All can be repaired when you apply heat to them. The ones that self heal contain Elastomers, which can reform itself when damaged, the process is triggered by sunlight exposure.
Longest Lasting Paint Protection Product You Can Buy
The quality of the product used and the auto detailer who applies it will affect the length of time that it lasts. Some products offer a warranty of 5 to 10 years. You can even extend that potentially if you also apply ceramic coating over it.
Preserving the Resale Value
By protecting the vehcile you are helping to save the resale value. The better your paint looks the more you will get on the used car market, when you are ready to move on from it.
Ceramic Coating vs Clear Bra Which and Why…
This question is commonly asked: “Whats the difference between ceramic coating and clear bra”?
Ceramic coating is a liquid that creates a hydroponic protective layer on top of your paint. It excels at protecting the paint from UV rays, rain spots, and lite debris, and it also makes your vehicle look hella shiney! It can be applied to your entire vehicle. This stuff makes water just slide off and makes washing your vehicle super easy.
Clear bra on the other hand is a thin clear film that gets stretched over the front of your vehicle. It sticks to the surface and creates a physical layer of protection on top of your paint. It is best for protecting against rock chips, scratches, and other debris impacts to your automobiles front end. Some PPF’s, can make your paint look dull.
Can You Do Both Ceramic Coating and Clear Bra?
Yes in fact, while that can be costly to do, it is very common amongst car enthusiasts. First they will apply clear bra to the front facing surfaces. Then they add ceramic coating to the entire vehicle, including over the clear bra. This provides the maximum level of protection you can get. Most companies that do clear bra also offer ceramic coating and vise versa.
If you apply both simultaneously you can get:
- A deep glossy look from your paint and matte paints looks more matted.
- Nothing sticks to your vehcile. Water, bird droppings, tree sap and bugs will slide off. It makes your auto incredibly easy to clean.
- Protects Against the weather. The ceramic coating protects the clear bra from UV rays, acid rain, salt, and other stuff that causes corrosion of the clear bra overtime.
What Does Clear Bra Near Me Cost?
The cost can vary based on several factors such as:
- If you want only the front of the vehicle or if you are looking for a full body protection.
- The current paint condition of the vehcile. If needed you may need a paint correction first which can run $500-$800.
- If you want to add ceramic coating on top of the clear bra.
- The make and model of the vehcile – size and difficulty to wrap in film impact the cost.
To give you a more specific idea let’s talk some average costs:
- Front of a car: $1,500
- Front of a truck $2,500
- Full body sedan: $6,000; Coupe $5,500
- Full body truck $8,000
The above numbers are generalizations, but sould put you in the ball park. The are additional parts you can consider like rear bumpers, headlights, door jams, etc…
Popular Brands of Clear Bra PPF Used By Pro’s
There are a ton of PPF’s on the market. All with extensive reviews you can read online. They can differ in healing properties, warranty length, and quality of paint protection. Here are some of the popular brands you find that most shops use:
- Xpel Ultimate PPF
- Xpel Stealth
- SunTek Ultra
- Kavaca Paint Protection Film
- LLumar Platinum
- 3M Scotchgard Pro
How to Find the Best Company for Clear Bra Near Me?
When deciding on what auto detailer you want to hire to do a PPF, you need to do some research. Price is important, but you may also want to consider what specific PPF products they offer and what are the pros and cons of each one. Finding the best company is a two step approach.
First research the PPF products yourself and see what customers actually say about them. There are many different PPF’s out there and some are better then others. Second research the deatiling shops in your local area. I like to use Yelp and Google My Buisness in order to read independent reviews.
Call a few differnt shops to get quotes. Then when you find one you like, set up a consultation first. This should always be free. Let them look at your vehcile and tailor their quote to your actual needs.
Clear Bra Near Me – Final Thoughts…
Clear bra is not cheap and certainly not for everybody. It is however pound for pound the best way to protect your paint because it is a layer of physical film and how long it lasts. It can be a real force multiplier when you also combine it with ceramic coating. I hope this guide helps you make a better informed decision on how to find the best local company and what you need to know about it before you decide to get it. This is what I have learned from the place that does clear bra near me.