Clear Bra car protection

[holywood3645]

Has any one installed one on these on your lotus? I have seen them installed on some expensive cars. Please share your thoughs and knowelege.

http://www.clear-pro.com/corvette.html

http://www.clear-pro.com/index.html

Thanks

James

[StressCraxx]

Hello James,

Many Elise and Exige owners I know have this applied to their cars. It substantially reduces rock/gravel damage. Perhaps ask around on the Elise/Exige forums for a good source.

Regards,
Dan

[Pastapesto]

I know quite a bit about it, if you want some info then PM me and I would be more than happy to tell you all about it (or at least everything I know about it).

Adam

[theelanman]

Ive got it on my evora.....installed by lotus
and in places on the m100 (rear wheel arch leading edge and the sills)
the Elan doesn't have any.....

I think Lotus use Armorfend.......or something like....
I think you may have to experiment as I don't know of anyone doing a 'kit' (pre cut shapes) for the elan so you may cover the whole front........

[theelanman]

http://www.armourfend.co.uk/

[Andy8421]

James,

I had an Elise from new. Within a year or so, the front clamshell was covered in a pox of small paint chips where gravel and similar had been thrown up by cars in front. I had the clamshell re-sprayed after some minor accident damage, and on the advice of the dealer (Bell and Colvill) I had 'Armourfend' applied to the front. This solved the paint chip problem completely.

The argument given to me at the time was that glass fibre provided a poor support for the paint, which was more inclined to chip when hit with debris than comparable metal bodied cars. I don't know if this was true, or just an excuse to cover poor quality Lotus paint.

The Amourfend was supplied as pre cut self adhesive clear plastic sheet. After it was applied, it was undetectable except at the edges of the sheet where a ridge line could be seen (and felt). If examined closely after a few months, you could detect debris impact points on the plastic sheet, but the paint underneath remained intact. I was not sure if it stopped the paint chipping, or just kept the chip stuck in place, but the result was the same.

I am not sure whether the plastic sheet was removable without damaging the paint.

[661]

I have Ventureshield on the Exige. Really good product. Not sure I'd have it on the Elan, but your post has caused me to ask 'why' and I don't know!!!

[Harvey]

OEM for Elise/Exige is Star Shield. West coast distributor is in LA area.

Lee

[richardcox_lotus]

My only concern on these is the ridge line. I can't see anyway that would not get ingrained dirt along it, and how on earth do you get it clean again - if at all.

Obviously more noticable on a light coloured vehicle. I've seen it on yellow Elise's and it put me off.

Regards
Richard

[david.g.chapman]

I fitted some 3M clear film on my +2 a while ago - see post link:

lotus-chassis-f36/clear-vinyl-for-stones-and-bugs-t31600.html

I am still happy and the film deflects small stones and insect blood just wipes off. There has been a gradual build up of dirt under the margin of the film (less than 0.1mm), and you can see it close up especially on light-coloured cars like mine. I always clean the car alone the edge and not across it, and it does not seem to be getting any worse.

I was also concerned that there would be a colour change between the filmed and un-filmed parts of the car, but after this time so far so good. In checking this I removed a tiny section of film. You have to use a heat gun and be careful in peeling off the film (it's really stuck down), but it does come off and there was no detectable line left on the paintwork when cleaned. I do keep my car in the garage though, and if you have red paintwork that might be affected by uv radiation (depends on the paint used) do not do it.

So IMHO, It does not look bad and I believe its a sensible addition if you use the motorways like me.

Dave Chapman.