Bra or no Bra - that is the question

SK · 06-02-2003, 01:08 PM

I'm taking my car on a 300 mile trip this week (each way). I have a bra for it but don't know if I should use it or not. On one hand, I know it would protect the car from sand and small stones kicked up from other cars. On the other hand, it is a black car with great paint, and I'm concerned about the bra rubbing on the paint.
What would you do?

rick conrath · 06-02-2003, 01:15 PM

I used to put on the bra when I knew I was going to be on on the road in close proximity to a bunch of trucks and other cars cutting in and out of traffic. It's tough to leave enough room in front of you on some of the highhways to avoid the rocks that get thrown off. It's a must driving through the desert or after a snow storm. The small pieces of gravel and sand will pepper your front bumper. If you have a good quality bra, it shouldn't rub at all...just don't leave it on after a rainstorm. Take it off when you get to your destination.
Rick
'78 930

xlr8 · 06-02-2003, 01:33 PM

Would there be any benefit to putting a regular bra on over a mag bra to reduce the effects of rubbing? Has anyone tried this?

rattlsnak · rattlsnak's Garage

Crap, I was hoping we were going to see pictures of various women and guessing if they had bras on or not.

Zeke · 06-02-2003, 01:47 PM

I had a bra on the 911 I had quite a bit of the time. At the time I owned the car, there was a lot of freeway construction going on around here. I mean they were remodeling the freeways big time. If you run thru a puddle, there will be debris up under the bra on the bottom. this is the only place that the bra scratched the paint. I used the car in Las Vegas for a year and you might as well not even have paint over there. Gravel everywhere. No bra on the Boxster and very few chips (so far). Just depends on the road and the area.

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

Have Stonegard or similar 3M protective film applied to your car and not worry about flapping material and having to take a bra on and off of your car.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 06-02-2003, 04:19 PM

Bras are ridiculous. It's a car, forgodsakes. If it requires a napkin around its neck, perhaps it should be left on a pedestal.

Stephan

Bill Douglas · 06-02-2003, 04:24 PM

Opps, I completely got the wrong idea about the question.

ischmitz · ischmitz's Garage

If the front ends are not sagging I would always prefer no bra.... 'nough said

is

JTO · 06-02-2003, 05:06 PM

Use racing tape under the areas that the bra contacts. It works well.
Troy

pwd72s · 06-02-2003, 05:22 PM

I guess it really all depends on how soft the rocks are where you plan to drive?

Eric86Red911 · 06-02-2003, 05:28 PM

I'm not so sure about that racing tape idea, but if you buy some cheap wal-mart contact paper, you can put that on the metal under the bra. You can even leave it on a few days and it'll still just come right off. Leaves behind no residue, just make sure to have a decent coat of wax on first. I've never done that, because I really don't think the bra could do a fraction of the damage that stones would do to an unprotected front end.

And YES, I think bras are a good idea when driving on the highway. I remove mine for city driving tho cause they look, well,...utilitarian.

Harlan Chinn · Harlan Chinn's Garage

I have put over a thousand miles on my car since my new paint and with the clear film stonegard product applied. I, knock on wood, have not yet had a stone chip. I live in the Pacific Northwest where the roads are sanded and there are plenty of rocks pitched off of trucks. The system isn't inexpensive but it is worth the piece of mind. It also comes with a good warranty.

frostback · 06-02-2003, 06:39 PM

Real men don't wear bras. I think you should consider the 3M film. It looks a hell of a lot better than a bra. Or just take those rock chips like a man. No tears.

Crachian · 06-02-2003, 06:52 PM

One thing that you may try, at least for your upcoming trip, is buying some rubbermaid rubberized adhesive shelf paper. It comes in black, is cheap, and easy on and off.

Tim Polzin · 06-02-2003, 06:57 PM

Bugs wash off the bra a lot easier than the paint.

Dantilla · 06-02-2003, 08:06 PM

Bras are far uglier than a few rock chips.

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

At a recent PCA event at a body shop catering primarily to P-cars and and some unbelievable exotics the topics of bras came up. They stated that if you really need to use one on a trip, cut 3" strips of flannel for all the contact points. It keeps the effects of wind buffeting and fine particles from harming the paint. Using one in rainey situations is not recommended.

Sunroof · 06-03-2003, 09:49 AM

If you ask me, your nuts not to have the bra on during highway traffic!!! I have saved my front end and given it years of the no chip look with using a bra on interstate driving. Forget about the issue of ethetics, its a big dollar concern and thats what it will cost you when you go have those chips painted. They do not take away from the appearance and the other guy admires you for your superior intellect for taking the steps to protect your investment. Wear the bra..........................

Regard
Bob
73.5T with a double d cover.

Three912s · 06-03-2003, 10:16 AM

For many years, I've used a small piece of cotton towel (make sure it's 100% cotton!) under the points of contact. Never a problem. I wouldn't use a magbra. My son used one and paint underneath was damaged. As for me, I wouldn't dream of NOT using a bra on an "unchipped" car. If it's already got 'em, then who cares, but a little caution is certainly better than a ton of paint touch-up "mis-matches" all over the front. Also, I'd use mirror bras. A HUGE word of caution, however.....if the bra gets wet, take if off and make sure it's dry before re-using it. A wet bra can definitely do paint damage in the hot sun. If it's not hot, then no big deal.

Jack