Which parts should I clear bra?

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the 4Runner after a long wait and search to get the color I wanted. Cement grey. While I know with playing in the dirt and general highway use, scratches and paint chips are going to happen. Since I bought this thing used, i'm having the car paint corrected and sealed. Then I was going to clear bra it I think to add another level of protection to the paint.

Question is, what do you guys or other 4runner owners recommend for the 4runner? Doing just the hood, mirrors, and fenders? Or including the front bumper? What about anything on the doors and quarter panels. I've only been out on a trail once with this thing and while I was out I got to thinking about this. Do you guys feel clear bra, takes away the luster of the sweet paint colors on some of these rigs?

 

Back when I was doing a lot of high performance road track driving (taking street cars to race tracks like Road America, Mid Ohio, Brainerd International, etc...) I applied clear bras to the cars I drove - front end, partial hood, partial front fenders, side mirrors, and depending on the vehicle, perhaps a strip above the windshield too.

I will say that a high quality, properly applied, clear bra is nearly undetectable - even within an arms length of the vehicle.

 

I haven't used Clear Bra but I have used XPEL, which is another brand. I'm really happy with the outcome. It definitely holds up against road chips, buts, etc. For my 4Runner, I went with a matte wrap look so I had to do the entire vehicle; otherwise a partial wrap would do (front fender/hood, side mirrors, rocker panels, just areas that would be more exposed to the elements). I also park mine under an Oak tree so its gets some serious sap attack.

To keep the shine look, you could also put layer of ceramic coating. That stuff is amazing; you could literally just hose off your rig and dry it. The coating mimics wax, except it holds up for several years.

 

I prefer going braless.

 

I had the dealer PPF on partial hood and fender, mirrors, and door handle cavities. In hindsight, I should have gotten them include PPF on the entire front-end (not just part hood), headlights, and driving lights. If you can get wrapped-edges when they apply the PPF, that would be one other thing to consider as it'll protect the edges.

 

1. Congratulations, great color & truck!
2. Here are my initial impression & experiences.
3. Any questions just ask. I am no professional but it has been on for 1.5 yrs so I have some experience with Xpel.
I hope it helps!
Ryan
https://www.4runners.com/threads/ceramic-coating-discussion-and-b-s.9459/page-3#post-89293

 

Front end wrap to all forward facing panels and maybe 10 inches back so lined up with the hood. The hood I did to the hood scoop, covering the raised edge. Covered the painted part of the mirrors and the headlights.

Mine came with film on lower panel of doors and leading edge of rear fender. I would call it good there unless you normally scratch other areas such as top of rocker panel or rear bumper cover. Basically any rub area. I just keep scraps of film for odd areas.

I would see how safe it is to apply to fresh paint these days (used to be a consideration) since you did say it's being repainted. It's normally done to bare paint and then your choice of coating on top.

 

Thank you all so far. Greatly appreciate the feedback and congrats on the vehicle. It's not being repainted, just having the paint polished with some paint correction for scratches and then using a Glare sealant. This stuff is amazing. I also do have the film on the lower panel of doors, just didn't know if other people added to that essentially. These suggestions have helped as to how far back to go. Much appreciated. I'll probably add some clear bra to the hood, mirrors, front fenders and bumper.

 

JRod,

Congrats on getting a Cement Runner, that's an excellent choice! Paint Protection Film (PPF) AKA Clear Bra is going to be the best way to protect against rock chips and scratches as you mentioned. We did want to mention that if you're planning on getting PPF applied, do NOT have any sealants or waxes put on as the installer will remove those prior to PPF installation. Once the film is on, if you want to help maintain it or make it even easier to wash, then a ceramic coating is recommended on top of the PPF and the rest of your paint/glass/wheels/etc.

As far as coverage goes, we always recommend covering the high impact areas.
On a 4Runner what we see most often is protection on the

• Front end: front bumper, headlights, side mirrors, and either some of or all of the hood and fenders
• Rocker panels: this will help protect against your front tires throwing up debris along the bottom and will usually include a piece behind the rear wheel to help with potential impacts back there.
• Door cups: this protects the area that can get scratched with rings and fingernails when opening and closing the door.
• A-Pillars: protects the a-pillars from the stones and debris that can hit higher up usually from highway driving
• Luggage area: this protects from any potential damage when loading items in the back so you won't scratch the top of the bumper.

 

Thank you for the heads up XPEL. I appreciate that a ton. What I may do is just have the paint correction done first, then get the clear bra applied and come back for the sealant on the rest of the vehicle. Really appreciate this.

Thank you.

 

JRod,

Absolutely, we're happy to help.

 

XPEL, thx a lot, for your recommendations, I also have applied them to my car, not all because of the lack of resources, but the frond-end was done! Guys, I might guess, that some of you take part in a car race and I wanna ask you to share your outfit for racing. With various brands on the market, I got crazy! Firstly, for me preferably is underwear, I have solved this problem here shop.join-eby.com it is without a doubt is the comfiest. Further, I have no idea what helmet, suit and boots should be worn. My friend recommended me suit from Alpinestars and boots from Monza, helmet Arai, but it is quite expensive. How to chose the proper clothing for racing and to spend a fortune?