Posted this up on FJ & FF...figure i'll hit here too
Anywho, going on vacation in August (Toronto to New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island/Nova Scotia and back), which is going to be close to about 3000 miles round trip.
So, I want to get a bra for the front end to protect it from rocks, bugs, and who knows what else.
I don't want to buy a piece of junk that is going to fall apart during the adventure, but I'm seeing prices anywhere from $45+shipping (LeBra brand on ebay) to $140 for a Colgan brand one on some other sites.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Stay away from anything that actually touches the car. You'll buff the glaze right off the car.
I'd pick up one of the plastic doo-dads from CT (about 80bucks)
If that ain;t good enough, opt for the $$$ 3M protective film.
Rubber bras for cars are murder on your finish.
i havent presonally met you, but i would figure something around the lines of 36 DD's would be nice :)
j/k. I'm with Anthony on that. Get the hood protector instead of a bra.
I personally have the actual Ford one, it rins about $125. The fit is good, no flapping, and looks fine -- for a bra.
It does its job. I drive 100km a day, 7 days a week on the QEW, front deflectors don't protect from stone chips and pitting like a bra does. I've seen cars in the parking lot at work with the bumpers pitted to crap.
The "Hell on your finish" is a myth, if you buy a good-fitting one (like the Ford) and if you take care of it -- they're felt backed, so personally I remove it once a month and wash it down and check it for any grit. When I wash the car (I have my own powerwasher), I raise the hood and spray up into the hoodpiece so that it gets all rinsed out.
I've had bras on my Topaz, Taurus and my Focus, with no effect on the finish. I've had the bra on the Taurus since it was a month old -- it's 8 years old now, and if I remove the bra, wash and wax the car, there's only a tiny shade difference from fading.
If you're looking at using it only on long trips, then the other bonus is that it installs with no added snaps, it's all hooks.
get the clear protective one buy 3M, they do work pretty good from what i see.
I've had experience with both LeBra and Wolf masks, and neither have given me problems (one was on my Mustang, one was on my old Ranger). I had a factory Ford one on my old Escort, and it was ok, but fell apart due to the rusted out hood.
I'd contact your local Ford dealer to see what they have. The best one I've ever seen was a Ford one that covered the hood and tied at the back of the hood and connected underneath. Had it on my parents Aerostar and it fit like a, well, bra... :)
Ryan
Thanks for all the info guys!