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Clear bra that saved my paint

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by jake slatnick, May 25, 2017.

  1. May 25, 2017 at 12:28 AM
    #1
    jake slatnick

    jake slatnick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    285/75r16 KO2's, Baja XL 80's on CBI ditch brackets, TRD intake, opticoat pro, clear bra running the bottom sides, morimoto LEDs, all white LEDs inside, mounted shovel and axe above wheel well in the bed, linex'd the bed...
    Just wanted to post up a visual of the clear bra sections I've done on my truck to keep the paint in good condition.

    If I didn't do this, I'd have really bad pitting already in the paint after just 6,000 miles (from offroading).

    All of these spots are high impact areas from dirt and rocks on the trail. Especially with my all terrain tires.

    The most important piece is the one right in front of the back fenders, that area takes a lot of impact. My fenders are already badly pitted. But the other areas are important as well. Take a close look and you'll see pitting in the clear bra from debris that would've been my paint.

    Also as an upside the clear bra on the rocker panels and behind the back wheel follow the design of the car and are basically impossible to see...

    Would recommend this to anyone that actually off roads but doesn't want paint damage.

    IMG_1416.jpg


    ***UPDATE: I Posted this because a lot of guys have messaged me asking how I did my clear bra. If you're here to hate on people who want to keep their trucks in good condition, than keep driving what will inevitably become a crappy vehicle and disregard :) otherwise, take this image to your local clear bra shop and get yourself some peace of mind!!

    IMG_0831.jpg
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2017
  2. May 25, 2017 at 4:59 AM
    #2
    CusterFan

    CusterFan Well-Known Member

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    I would rather Line-X those area's. You can get the Line-X Body Armour in most any color you want.
     
  3. May 25, 2017 at 5:03 AM
    #3
    doorsidedown

    doorsidedown Well-Known Member

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    +1 on clear bra. That stuff is awesome.
     
    jake slatnick[OP] likes this.
  4. May 25, 2017 at 7:38 AM
    #4
    jake slatnick

    jake slatnick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    285/75r16 KO2's, Baja XL 80's on CBI ditch brackets, TRD intake, opticoat pro, clear bra running the bottom sides, morimoto LEDs, all white LEDs inside, mounted shovel and axe above wheel well in the bed, linex'd the bed...
    Only problem is that is permanent and not as clean looking
     
    PROseur likes this.
  5. May 25, 2017 at 7:40 AM
    #5
    Cold_Toad

    Cold_Toad Well-Known Member

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    Mud flaps do wonders too
     
    02Duck, BassAckwards, uurx and 2 others like this.
  6. May 25, 2017 at 7:44 AM
    #6
    Greensystemsgo

    Greensystemsgo 1 owner with clean car fox.

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    Bone Stock.
    Aren't these TRUCKS we drive?
     
  7. May 25, 2017 at 7:46 AM
    #7
    PackCon

    PackCon Well-Known Member

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    I second the Line-X recommendation. It is probably just as expensive as the clearbra or cheaper.

    Clear bra materials scratch and scuff over time, they also discolor and collect dirt. After long enough they cannot be removed without paint damage.
    I had it on a previous truck and will never do it again. I took it off and had to repaint the panels it was on. The bra was purchased by the previous owner but must have cost $1,500 to put on. I spent over that repainting. Total waste and at the end of the day did nothing to prevent the repaint need (in my instance it caused it, it was not an off road rig)

    Off roading causes more paint damage and these areas will get hit hard. Line-X is cheaper and better looking over time.

    I am having the factory clearbra film removed professsionally next year. Its already looking like shit on my '13.
    I'm a detailer too though. I notice clearbra material very easily and its not attractive to me.
     
    CusterFan likes this.
  8. May 25, 2017 at 8:22 AM
    #8
    jonnyozero3

    jonnyozero3 Well-Known Member

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    OME, sliders, dents, hail damage, soiled armrest. Lightbulbs.
    Sounds like your experience is with shit clear bra material.

    I had Xpel Ultimate on a previous vehicle. It self heals, so no scratches, and looked brand new after three years. Barely noticeable on the car at most angles. Have it on my '17 and it already saved my front end from a runaway donkey-sized tumbleweed.

    I wouldn't judge all clear bras based on shitty dealer stuff.
     
  9. May 25, 2017 at 8:26 AM
    #9
    jake slatnick

    jake slatnick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    285/75r16 KO2's, Baja XL 80's on CBI ditch brackets, TRD intake, opticoat pro, clear bra running the bottom sides, morimoto LEDs, all white LEDs inside, mounted shovel and axe above wheel well in the bed, linex'd the bed...
    Not if you actually off road. They get knocked off on trip 1.
     
    7six2Fan, LocoLocal and PvilleJohn like this.
  10. May 25, 2017 at 8:28 AM
    #10
    jake slatnick

    jake slatnick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    285/75r16 KO2's, Baja XL 80's on CBI ditch brackets, TRD intake, opticoat pro, clear bra running the bottom sides, morimoto LEDs, all white LEDs inside, mounted shovel and axe above wheel well in the bed, linex'd the bed...
    Ignorance. Mine was also $50k and is a daily driver.
     
  11. May 25, 2017 at 8:29 AM
    #11
    jake slatnick

    jake slatnick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    285/75r16 KO2's, Baja XL 80's on CBI ditch brackets, TRD intake, opticoat pro, clear bra running the bottom sides, morimoto LEDs, all white LEDs inside, mounted shovel and axe above wheel well in the bed, linex'd the bed...
    Ya I have this crappy stuff called xpel. Or maybe I drive 70mph through washes with aggressive tires.
     
  12. May 25, 2017 at 8:33 AM
    #12
    jake slatnick

    jake slatnick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    285/75r16 KO2's, Baja XL 80's on CBI ditch brackets, TRD intake, opticoat pro, clear bra running the bottom sides, morimoto LEDs, all white LEDs inside, mounted shovel and axe above wheel well in the bed, linex'd the bed...
    Sounds like there was a crappy product and / or installer. There's a reason why many guys with $300k sports cars clear bra there entire vehicle for $15,000 and it's not because it ruins their paint or discolors.

    I spent $700 on mine, it keeps my truck protected in high impact zones, and you would never tell it's on there because it goes with the lines of the truth and has a nano coating over it keeping it as glossy as clear coat.

    Plus there's a 12 year warranty
     
  13. May 25, 2017 at 8:43 AM
    #13
    uurx

    uurx Well-Known Member

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  14. May 25, 2017 at 8:44 AM
    #14
    gr0ver

    gr0ver Taco Supreme

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    Largely depends on the mudflaps. OEM hard plastic? Definitely gone first trip. Usable pliable rubber? g2g.
     
  15. May 25, 2017 at 8:47 AM
    #15
    bilplat

    bilplat Simply Driving Into Mordor

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    Trucks that are also investments that we might want to resell in the future...
     
  16. May 25, 2017 at 8:50 AM
    #16
    uurx

    uurx Well-Known Member

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    buying a car as a daily, as an investment??? lol come on man, this aint no air cooled porsche or ferrari


    not hating on wanting to keep stuff clean...

    just know these cars have a history of poor paint from the factory.
     
    HutchJ likes this.
  17. May 25, 2017 at 8:53 AM
    #17
    bilplat

    bilplat Simply Driving Into Mordor

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    I consider anything I put my money into an investment. Especially things that I may resell in the future. Guess its a mindset thing.
     
  18. May 25, 2017 at 8:55 AM
    #18
    PackCon

    PackCon Well-Known Member

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    I don't know who put it on. It was 13 years old. I don't believe that the self healing material self heals to the point where it hides 13 years of scratches. Have to see it to believe it. the material also scuffs if someone swipes that side of the vehicle and makes everything 20 times noticable.

    I would have to see that magical coating to believe after a decade it looks exactly the same as day 1 and you can't see it at all. My biggest beef with then is I find them ugly, but again detailing buff here, I look at a cars in detail most people don't. You also can polish and fix paint, not plastic.
     
    CusterFan likes this.
  19. May 25, 2017 at 8:57 AM
    #19
    uurx

    uurx Well-Known Member

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    lol ok, clearly a mind set thing...

    my bodies food and my vehicles fuel... both see tons of my monies... both are big investments of mine...
     
  20. May 25, 2017 at 8:58 AM
    #20
    jake slatnick

    jake slatnick [OP] Well-Known Member

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    285/75r16 KO2's, Baja XL 80's on CBI ditch brackets, TRD intake, opticoat pro, clear bra running the bottom sides, morimoto LEDs, all white LEDs inside, mounted shovel and axe above wheel well in the bed, linex'd the bed...
    So mine as well just let it go and get chipped away and rusty - right?
     
    Cxavier2206 likes this.

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