Took a break from SUV and PU driving for awhile with a new Accord Sdn ...

What's better in terms of protecting the hood/windshield from the road crap that gets kicked up by the vehicle in front of you, a bug shield or a bra?

Do the aftermarket bug shields actually work?

Do the bras wreak havoc on the paint job?

A lot of this depends on the color of your car, and how often you're willing to clean underneath the nose mask. A black or dark colored car will show any micro-abrasions far more than a lighter color. FormFit does make a front hood deflector for the Accord, but it won't really do anything for windshield splatter......the nose of the car is too low to affect anything coming up on the windshield.

Generally if you drive a lot, or for road trips, the nose mask is the way to go IMO. The key is in keeping it clean underneath, which should be done regularly, of course depending on where you live and your driving conditions.

In my expriences with a bra, you really have to stay on top of keeping it clean underneath as Tim said. Small rocks and such tend to find their way between the bra and car and can really scuff up the finish. A good alternative would be going with a clear bra, while it doesn't give you the sporty look of the bra or bug sheild, I've heard they do a great job in protection. Just my .02.

I put a paint protection film (see-through bra) on my Ody last year, amd my Accord this year. I prefer the clean lines of the car to a deflector or a cheesy bra. (I have a pic, but don't know how to post it )

If you go with the film, Invinca-shield is a good product and is 20% off right now. Their phone support is excellent, but only available M-F during normal working hours.

http://www.invinca-shield.com/

The best application instructions for paint protection film, and headlight film too, is here:
http://www.bodygard.cc/content/paintkitinstall.htm

So buy from Invinca-Shield and install from Bodygard.

Originally posted by Effen Fish
... (I have a pic, but don't know how to post it )...

email me the pic and I will post it for you: webmaster@driveaccord.net

this is a pic showing the film. you can barely see the seam. this is
right after installation; vehicle had not been washed afterward. once
washed and wax, the film is transparent.

DO NOT USE A BRA. After being neglected for nearly 109,000 miles by the previous owner, the paint under the bra on my 1999 Accord was absolutely horrible. It's supposed to protect the paint from chips when in fact I found MANY chips and many of the bra fibers actually embedded in the paint. Go with a deflector, the film is expensive. Either way is fine actually, just that I personally wouldn't pay that kind of money for the film and apparently you can only use it on a new car/new paint.

3M's material is the best way to go. It's $300-$600 cost depending on the car, how much of it you cover and the installer is well worth the protection. Priceless after just a few saves.

I have it on all my vehicles seen at my site below. I took this pic in a setting that causes you to see it...otherwise it's not noticable.

http://www.pbase.com/image/23116785.jpg

The film is expensive and some places rip you off. You can protect the front but probably good idea to get some on the side mirrors and lower body panels too. The film most of the times is closer to 500-600, each touch up paint chip might only run you $20. Think about it...it's FILM...it's not like weapons grade plutonium or platinum/titanium/ytterbium or anything like that.

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650
The film is expensive and some places rip you off. You can protect the front but probably good idea to get some on the side mirrors and lower body panels too. The film most of the times is closer to 500-600, each touch up paint chip might only run you $20. Think about it...it's FILM...it's not like weapons grade plutonium or platinum/titanium/ytterbium or anything like that.

The cost of my GTP, Trailblazer, MPV and Accord never topped $400 and I had tons of custom cuts and additions done all around the vehicles. The Alero was a bit more because of the ground effects. Costs all depend on your relationship and negotiations with the installers. Anyone who pays sticker or list for anything is being robbed.

Besides, the few hundred that it costs me is worth it. Not one mark or spot of touch up paint on my rides. After 2-3 years without it, your ride will look like a teen with pimples of touch up paint otherwise.

Bra's are for circa-1980 rides.

Originally posted by pdqgp
The cost of my GTP, Trailblazer, MPV and Accord never topped $400 and I had tons of custom cuts and additions done all around the vehicles. The Alero was a bit more because of the ground effects. Costs all depend on your relationship and negotiations with the installers. Anyone who pays sticker or list for anything is being robbed.

Besides, the few hundred that it costs me is worth it. Not one mark or spot of touch up paint on my rides. After 2-3 years without it, your ride will look like a teen with pimples of touch up paint otherwise.

Bra's are for circa-1980 rides.

Sorry. After a few years your white car will have yellowing and peeling film on the front. Watch and see...

http://www.angelfire.com/nb/benjiboy650/139-3992_IMG1233.jpg

108,600 miles with a bra on it, 1,500 miles without. What pimples do you see? Believe me, don't use the bra and say that it saved my paint. First of all, you just told me bra's are for circa-1980's cars. Second, the bra hurt my paint more than anything but that was the previous owner's doing.

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650
Sorry. After a few years your white car will have yellowing and peeling film on the front. Watch and see...

I've been using the 3M product for many years and there's no issues what so ever. I'll gladly peel it off my 1990 TT 300Z if you care to see. It comes off quite cleanly. I re-did it after a slight bumper hit and again, perfect.

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650

108,600 miles with a bra on it, 1,500 miles without. What pimples do you see?

if you used touch up paint, you have pimples....pimples being dabs of touch up paint that is. that is unless you correctly wet sanded and polished out the touch up paint like a pro would.


Believe me, don't use the bra and say that it saved my paint. First of all, you just told me bra's are for circa-1980's cars. Second, the bra hurt my paint more than anything but that was the previous owner's doing.

my circa-1980's comment was a slam on them. they looked stupid on todays cars. Go with whatever you wish, it's your ride.

Originally posted by pdqgp
I've been using the 3M product for many years and there's no issues what so ever. I'll gladly peel it off my 1989 TT 300Z if you care to see. It comes off quite cleanly. I re-did it after a slight bumper hit and again, perfect.

Car and Driver disagrees with you. Their ML430 was fading and peeling slightly after just 40,000 miles.

Originally posted by pdqgp
if you used touch up paint, you have pimples.


I disagree with you. The BMW dealer fixed my uncle's paint chip perfectly, no pimple and you can't even tell. They only charged 20 bucks. I'm willing to bet any average Joe can get the same results. It's not that hard.

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650
Car and Driver disagrees with you. Their ML430 was fading and peeling slightly after just 40,000 miles.

Then they used some inferior products because 3M is in the business and my installer and good friend now hasn't had one complaint of such a thing happening. so much for non-3M stuff.

MT also said my GTP ran a 15.1 qtr mile...mine and many, many others run 14.667's easily bone stock. I did that with only 2k on the clock. So much for their reliability.

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650
I disagree with you. The BMW dealer fixed my uncle's paint chip perfectly, no pimple and you can't even tell. They only charged 20 bucks. I'm willing to bet any average Joe can get the same results. It's not that hard.

sure...just walk through a used car lot and look around at the nose clips there. guess all those owners are just less than the average joe in ability.

LOL good job. Car and Driver used 3M. They were one of the first ones to do so. Of course you get variations in measured acceleration, everyone should know that. Different track (biggest factor), conditions, cars, driver weight, amount of gas, driver skill, etc etc. I'm trying to be nice...but everybody should know that acceleration times will vary. It's generally accepted in magazines that Z06's pull low-mid 12's. I've seen some go mid-11's stock. I've seen Porsche's get beaten by Acura's too.

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650
LOL good job. Car and Driver used 3M. They were one of the first ones to do so. Of course you get variations in measured acceleration, everyone should know that. Different track (biggest factor), conditions, cars, driver weight, amount of gas, driver skill, etc etc. I'm trying to be nice...but everybody should know that acceleration times will vary. It's generally accepted in magazines that Z06's pull low-mid 12's. I've seen some go mid-11's stock. I've seen Porsche's get beaten by Acura's too.

I'm more than aware of the track times vs mag times and conditions...however, my point is that they don't ever make mention or disclaimers on such tests or inaccurate results.

Their 3M test....something was definitely not right with their application. I know first hand the films reliability and nonetheless, there is a 3M warranty as well as many installers/dealers extend that warranty too. I don't think they have too many re-paints under their belt. 3M leads the way in auto finishes, so you can't get much more reliable and tested than that. You can ask the VP of StonGard if you care to. I know him personally. They are one of the leading sellers of 3M.

To the original poster....don't do the black bra thing....just plain tacky by todays standards.

Nice chatting.

You know him personally huh? Well...might that contribute to your promotion of the film then? Or your low prices? I don't know...hmmm maybe? They do make disclaimers on the track times, they have to. If they didn't they'd be facing legal action from SOMEBODY in our lawsuit happy nation.

Originally posted by BenjiBoy650
You know him personally huh? Well...might that contribute to your promotion of the film then? Or your low prices? I don't know...hmmm maybe? They do make disclaimers on the track times, they have to. If they didn't they'd be facing legal action from SOMEBODY in our lawsuit happy nation.

I do know him. Got to meet him when he was in the area promoting the products at a new dealer. Afterall, I have had over 1/2 dozen cars done by the same installer and yes, I do make a good real-life test vehicle for show.

Don't consider my defense of the film here a promotion for it. I'm simply rebutting the fact that the film will yellow or peel or cause any paint damage. I know it doesn't as again, I have a number of vehicles done with it and have been using it for many years.

Price wise...no discounts over and above what others pay. Again, that's between the installer and client.

Effen Fish,
How difficult was this to install?

Accord9404,

I see you never got an answer, this clear film is usually professionally installed, not a DIY.
Did you check out further??

I1:)

Here's one I picked up yesterday. A truck launched about a 1" rock and it hit the hood about 16" above the bra:mad: :mad:

Looks like more touch up this afternoon..

No matter how hard you try it seems like chips are unavoidable!!

I1:)

Thanks for the reply.
Yep I did do some research awhile back but haven't done anything yet. Need to buy four steel rims and snow tires for the winter so the O/E don't get all pitted like my 94 did.

Tire rack has steel wheels for Accord for $ 42 ea

I1:)

Thanks! I'm using Tire Rack as a base line for shopping around.

Every other place I looked yesterday were about 50 bucks...
I also checked http://www.car-part.com/ used and found nothing in Maine but I just searched for 04 so maybe you will have better luck.
I didn't know if you had 15's or 16's..

I1:)

Call Tim @ Honda Acura world and see if he has any ideas....

I1:)

I haven't seen much commented about bug shields, as yet.

I've got a hood visor/bug thing on my '00 Subaru Impreza (2.5RS), and it's been quite good. The only downside to those, is that if there aren't any plastic pieces of film between the rubber rub-guards and the paint, it'll eventually wear the paint out. But otherwise, I find that they do a pretty great job with bugs, and help a lot with flying debris, rocks, etc. as well.

I've had mine on for four years, with a few periods of removal just to check out the stylistic difference. Definitely looks better without, but for practical purposes I prefer to leave it on. (Not that an Impreza is a pretty car. It's ugly as hell but you love it anyway. :D )

=S2=

I have a bug guard on the front of mine. Installs with 4 screws to holes that are already there. Car looks like it has a mustache. :lmao:

I had one of these on my PT, and no chips in the hood.

Here's one I picked up yesterday. A truck launched about a 1" rock and it hit the hood about 16" above the bra:mad: :mad:

Looks like more touch up this afternoon..

No matter how hard you try it seems like chips are unavoidable!!

I1:)see pic in post #25


Here it is fixed in the daylight (Used Langka kit)
I1 :)

Great Work! I can barely see the boo boo, probably could not without the pointer.

Thanks, had to do a little wet sand action on the scratches too.

I1 :)

Your 03 accord looks awesome.

Where did you get the new rims from?

they look good

I have a brand new 05 accord and was looking to put some new rims on it.

Thanks,

Phil k.
3M's material is the best way to go. It's $300-$600 cost depending on the car, how much of it you cover and the installer is well worth the protection. Priceless after just a few saves.

I have it on all my vehicles seen at my site below. I took this pic in a setting that causes you to see it...otherwise it's not noticable.

http://www.pbase.com/image/23116785.jpg

Nice touchup.

What is the langke kit?

Phil K. :banana: :banana: :banana:

see pic in post #25


Here it is fixed in the daylight (Used Langka kit)
I1 :)

I've had a leather bra on my previous black 98 civic and now on my new black 11 accord. if you keep your car clean underneath it and keep the bra clean too then its no problem at all. its a lot of work, but worth it to me to keep the chips out of my paint. i drive about 25k miles per year, mostly highway, so in my case, its worth it.