Bug Shield or Bra

[NDMP]

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?

[hondacuraworld]

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.

[zwierhiem]

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.

[Effen Fish]

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.

[Wardsweb]

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

[Wardsweb]

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.

[BenjiBoy650]

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.

[pdqgp]

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.

[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.

[pdqgp]

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.

[BenjiBoy650]

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...

[BenjiBoy650]

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.

[pdqgp]

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.

[pdqgp]

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.

[BenjiBoy650]

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.