Community Forums

dwkerch · 08-13-2012, 02:15 PM

I am having the front and rear of my '99 Diplomat painted due to the many rock chips. I am looking at covering the new front paint with a clear bra. An outfit on Ebay offers a "custom cut" clear bra kit for $49.99. Sounds like a reasonable price but I'm not sure about the DYI installation. Has anyone out there applied a clear bra to their motorhome? Any input as to other sources?

Dutch Star Don · 08-13-2012, 05:39 PM

I do all of my own work and repairs, but installing a front end film is something I would leave to the experts. Typically, that installation, including the film is around $1000.00 - $1200.00. I don't know what you would get for $50.00. There are a lot of curves, bends and cuts.

Many don't like the fim, but I would buy it again. The secret is not to clean it with anything abrasive, including soft car wash brushes. Probably use a microfiber cloth. I use 303 on my 7 year old film to keep it looking nice.

corjaguar · 08-15-2012, 06:09 PM

I have purchased this bra a few years ago and I did install it myself.....if you layout the clear plastic material they provide for your coach, it installs pretty nicely. The problem is after a couple of years, the plastic material starts to shrink due to heat ( we are in south Florida) and the edges get very stickey due to the bra shrinking. When you decide you have had enough of trying to keep it in check, it is a very messy job to remove because of the adhesive.

It took me a couple of days just to get rid of the plastic and at least a week to just clean up the mess.......but after it was all said and done, it probably did save the front from a lot of dings, because the areas that were not protected had a lot of dings.

For my two cents....I would not do it again, even if it is only 50 bucks.

cb1000rider · 08-15-2012, 07:17 PM

I don't know what material that you can get that will do an RV in that price range. The typical "clear bar" material is made by 3M. I've had it on a Corvette and we use it on motorcycles... Small roll of the stuff will run $20-$50... I'd suspect that whatever you're buying is a knock-off and wouldn't put it on your coach.

Papa_Jim · 08-15-2012, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwkerch

I am having the front and rear of my '99 Diplomat painted due to the many rock chips. I am looking at covering the new front paint with a clear bra.

I am in the camp of those who will not use the clear bra. Here's why. You are repainting because of the many rock chips, at 13 years of use. I propose that before the clear bra is 13 years old, it will be deteriorated so badly that you want it removed. Removal will probably destroy the paint. Which means you have to repaint. So, why spend the money for the clear bra in the first place?

corjaguar · 08-16-2012, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cb1000rider

I don't know what material that you can get that will do an RV in that price range. The typical "clear bar" material is made by 3M. I've had it on a Corvette and we use it on motorcycles... Small roll of the stuff will run $20-$50... I'd suspect that whatever you're buying is a knock-off and wouldn't put it on your coach.

Your right.....the plastic material is similar but it is definetly not 3 m material. When you order the kit, the bra comes with all the cutouts and it fits pretty good....its plyabe enough, but you still have to make some adjustments to be exact. You need two people to do this DIY project....but what the heck, I guess it would serve the purpose.

H. Miller · 08-16-2012, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwkerch

I am having the front and rear of my '99 Diplomat painted due to the many rock chips. I am looking at covering the new front paint with a clear bra. An outfit on Ebay offers a "custom cut" clear bra kit for $49.99. Sounds like a reasonable price but I'm not sure about the DYI installation. Has anyone out there applied a clear bra to their motorhome? Any input as to other sources?

What was the PAINTING cost?

dwkerch · 08-16-2012, 08:20 AM

All good feedback - thanks.

The paint job, front and rear, and removal/replacement of the basement storage door hinge cover strip and some minor door hinge tightening cost $2,450. Most of that was the paint prep and paint. Got it back yesterday and it looks great. Makes me wish I had painted the entire bottom half. Maybe next year!