I was so happy when I bought my '02 WRX Sedan a couple of weeks ago. I had heard that the paint was real thin and chipped easily and really at the time I was concerned about it since I install clear bras for a living.

Wow, was I wrong. I was to damn busy for two weeks to put it on my own car. When I got around to finally getting it on I had four chips and I was driving carefully too!!

How can Suabru make a great a car thats kicks *** but has crappy paint? I guess performance is more important, right!!

Anyone have any opinion on this matter?

 

Very old issue and a well known problem. I just washed my car this weekend and it is sad to see all the chips and scuffs. I need to clay-bar it and get a good Meguire's 3-Step on it. I have plain old turtle wax on there now and it has just collected in the chips.

 

My front hood looks like a battle zone for rock chips. I bought my car used and noticed that the front bumper was repainted badly over some sort of pink color. Then a while ago I noticed that the passenger side has been repainted as well, badly. Of course this is compounded by my bad driving skills with parking by cement poles in parking garages. Two scrapes on either side of my car with a dent to match.

At this point I need a new paint job. Maaco any one???

 

I love my car a lot and that is why I design and installed a clear bra on it right away.

 

ruacop, what would we be talking about price wise if I repainted the front end and wanted to clear bra the whole front end, and I mean the whole front end to the front doors. I don't like how you see the edge of the clear bra.

 

Do you have a tape measure handy?

What you are asking for costs a lot of money and can be very difficult to do a proper install. Probably in upwards of $1200-1500. RockBlocker kit is $266 plus install.

I have been doing this for years and I didnt even want to try and do a full bumper wrap. The chances of it turning out good and not to mention how much I would have to use a razor blade on it.

I know the line can be annoying at first. But does it really matter when you are dirivng behind the semi full of crap flying out the back or the guy that drives on the shoulder. Within two months you will not even notice it.

The edges are always there whether at the door or when the product is covering just the high impact areas.

 

I was thinking it might be a little lower but if it would be around that price its about half of getting the front repainted again. I will probably just go with a regular clear bra when / if I repaint.

 

That's part of the reason I got the smoked bug guard for my RS. The other day I noticed I took a rock hard enough to shatter part of my bug guard.

Think of it this way: Back in the 60s in the hayday of stock car racing teams looked for ways to shave weight. One of those ways was to acid dip the sheet metal to make it thinner (as well as putting thinner glass in). Subaru was just trying to give us an advantage by putting the least amount of paint on.


(Side note: The Village People just won $20k on Family Feud)

 

"They" should make a clear spray gel (like a Rhino Lining or Stonegard) that is applied and then allowed to harden/stiffen but still remains flexible enought to protect without chipping. It would eliminate the need for a vinyl tape type application.

(And Nick...Way to go on your Speeding ticket! That makes up for all the times you got away with 30 over! )

 

Had I not slowed down for the corner he'd have nabbed me for more than 30 over. But whatever.
I'm pretty much not worried about the ticket. Even if I can't do some sort of deferral I'm not all that concerned. Yay. 1 ticket in 9 years.

 

Hey watch out for bird **** too! I left a spot on my roof for two days, I swear, and it took off a bit of the paint! Stupid seagulls! Anyone have some alka seltzer tabs? hehehehe......