DavidST

Hi all,

New member here.

I wanted to get a car bra for my 2003 Protege 5. Is the OEM a good option for quality and/or price? Any other suggestions?

thanks.

KrayzieFox

I dunno if any bra is a good option, as they all seem to have a toll on the paint after you take them off. Why do you want one on there anyways?

Welcome to the club by the way

sumo_Bob

Welcome to the forum, The OEM car bra is a very good option, seeing as how it is an OEM part and was made by or specifically for mazda. But I would have it professionally installed.

_Kansei_

'installed'?? I thought car bras were meant only for temporary use on long trips for people who aren't ok with using painters tape like me :P

like --put it on in the morning, go for a long highway drive, remove it, wash the car and wax the front end.. anything less will just damage the crap out of the paint sadly

sumo_Bob

should have said fitted... as it is somewhat pliable, most places will use a heat gun to help stretch it a little, so it doesn't damage the paint. Once this is done once, it is much easier to take off and put on yourself.

Then again dupli-color makes a temporary spray on coating that you can wash off

_Kansei_

^^ I still need to try that duplicolor stuff... a much better option than a bra if it works.

SlvrP5

Doesn't 3M make something permantely like an invisible bra? Of course I hear its alotta moolah.

_Kansei_

Yeah it's kinda expensive and you have to get it redone every 2-3 years because it yellows. On some colors it wouldn't be too noticeable but on white/silver.. yeah

SlvrP5

Well that sux, I didn't know it yellows...well that options out. I've had bad experiences w bras....Bras + Dirt = Scratches. I've never seen anyone using painters tape, sounds like a nice idea, but to cover the whole bumper, that would take some time! And to add luck on top of it, P5's front bumpers are an easy target for rock chips, paint is notsogood there. right?

_Kansei_

Nah it doesn't take that long.. I spent maybe 30 minutes on it when I did this:


I only did it because my paint was very fresh at the time.. maybe 3 weeks old?

SlvrP5

LMAO....That's love right there

sumo_Bob

Painters tape FTW!!!

DavidST

Hi all,

Thanks for your welcomes.

I want to get a bra because I am travelling cross-country, some 7000 kms and I want to protect the front of the car from chips and bugs. I've travelled cross-country before, and it did some good damage to my previous car--and the bugs were impossible to get off. The trip is gonna take me about 2 weeks.

I didn't realize there were so many problems with bras!

Any links for that duplicolour and 3M stuff? Will this stuff stand up to chips?
The painters tape seems like another possible alternative, but will it stand up after 7000kms of mostly highway driving?

sumo_Bob

you should be able to go to your local car parts place. I don't know any chain parts suppliers in canada, but here's the corporate link:http://www.duplicolor.com/products/shield.html You can always get the bugs off with a buffer, and some mild compound.

_Kansei_

If canadian tire carries duplicolor (don't remember) they should have it. It looks like a spraypaint but I guess you can remove it (maybe it peels off, I dunno)