I need advice on whether to purchase a bra for my crossfire or have clear film protection applied. All responses would be appreciated.

 

I went with the 3M clear bra. They come in kits but I had a specialist who applies the 3 M material from scratch. The job turned out excellent. I had it done within 3 weeks of it's being new back in 07 & to this day there aren't any chips on the front facia or hood or front fenders. It also helps when cleaning any bugs or road goo away. It was also applied to the headlight plastic covers & they still show no signs of any discoloring at all. Make sure you only use the 3M product. The 3M can be waxed along with the rest of the car as long as the wax has no color tint to it.

 

x64
Here's your answer about the bra purchase. If you go this route, make sure you purchase the model that is specific to your car, an N/A or SRT6, and whether it has a front license plate or not.


The main issue is water/snow that will seep behind the cover and collect under the bra and may discolor the paint if not removed for periodic cleaning. The bra should bee cleaned as well, using an Armour All type of product to keep it pliable since it will be affected by the sun and weather.


The related costs are less with a bra, but the maintenance is higher overall. I have one and am satisfied with the protection, but mine does not see the harsh weather, just the sunlight.


Just my 2 cents....
Dennis
DTMenace

 

I opted for the mopar bra for mine a few months back, and am very happy with it just have to remove it If it gets wet underneath. Did a mice job of covering up the chips already on the fascia without a repaint.

 

Back in 2001 I put a bra on my Inferno Red Sebring convertible for the weekend. On Monday I took it off and found the paint was fogged white. I was sick about it. I found there was a technical service bulletin on it about moisture getting in/under the clear coat. Fortunately, there was a fix. The TSB said to use a heat gun to dry out the moisture. That worked for me.


This problem may not occur with all paints, but it's something to watch out for.

 

I use rejex on my car and love it.
Bugs wipe off very easy even with a quick brush off with a gas station squeegee
Not a fan of the cloth bras unless you keep it cleaned underneath. Dirt buildup scratches it

 

I would not use a bra or buy a car with one on it. Hides damage to the nose and will scratch the paint. The bra moves with the vibration of the wind thus movement scratches clear coat . my 2 cents

 

I have bras on both XFs and my A6. Yes, they need to be kept clean and I always wax several times under the bra before re-installing. I also take them off for the winter. Speaking of winter - these are summer drivers that seldom see rain and are garaged, so crap under the bra is at a minimum. In spite of that, there is some wear on the SRT6 where I could not properly fasten the bra one summer. I consider it less noticeable than the dings and paint chips I have seen on other cars. A good shot of Armorall after each washing and bugs come right off with spray water at the next wash.

 

Personally I never recommend bras to anybody. No matter how expensive, how soft the inside is, or how tight they seem to fit there is still constant friction between the body and the underside of the bra when ever the car is moving.
Even the very finest piece of dirt that gets trapped between the body and the bra becomes a microscopic piece of sand paper.
I once purchased a very expensive bra for my then new 1979 280 ZX. It seemed to fit perfectly. The instructions said to keep it from getting wet.
The very first trip I took with it on my car I wound up getting stuck in heavy Philadelphia rush hour traffic while coming home from a weekend at the shore. Out of no where the sky opened up and we had a down pour, and I couldn't get off the road for about 20 minutes.
Getting drenched, I removed the bra and proceeded on my way.
Upon closer inspection (after washing my Z the next day) I could plainly see the outline of the bra "wet" sanded into the clear coat of my hood and fenders. Never used one again.
This was just my personal experience 35 years ago, yours may vary.

 

I couldn't agree more. NO BRAS allowed in or on the Crossfire !!!

 

+fireamx, that is a horror story. I suspect it was made worse by being at the sea shore -- the gentle ocean breeze deposits the ingredients for fine sandpaper over your car and it obviously worked then washed it's way in. I keep a close eye on mine and no such problem, but as I stated they are rarely out in bad weather, are garaged, are washed and waxed frequently, and I only drive them <5k miles a summer. But, yes, I occasionally find some damage from crap that gets under the bra and have to Scratch-X it out. It still beats the nicks and dings from road debris. So the poor guy now has three choices - clear bra, black pleather bra, or bra-less.

PS - The days of getting bra-less babes in this old man's car are long gone.

 

I bought a custom fit bra for my '86 MR-2. Car was kept clean but even with the snug fit of the bra, at speeds, the bra would 'vibrate' and if anything slid down the top of it, it would vibrate and wear the paint. I quit using it and will never buy another.

 

What condition is the front of your Crossfire currently in? I ask because I have always been under the impression that the surface has to be clear of any chips, nicks or imperfections to be able to have the clear bras applied.