how to protect the front bumper and hood from road chips and

[mybank2828]

Hi All,

Just saw a little chip either from rock or sand in the front bumper.
Is there any suggestion of what to use to patch it without those scaring looking touchup paint. Please if there's good recommendation, send me the link of the product.

Also, anyone use anything special to protect the bumper and front hood from road chips, beside the leather bra and that clear bra thingy!

Thanks for any recommendation in advance!

[nicknaz]

My understanding is that if you use touch up paint then wetsand down to the level of the existing paint it can look pretty good.

I personally touch up paint if its showing metal, otherwise I've learned to accept the pitting as the fact of daily driving.

[CedarZ4]

This is correct. Touch-up paint actually isn't that bad at all if used correctly, just a lot of people use that dreaded brush and splotch globs onto the paint

Use a toothpick to apply the paint in very thin layers. Once you have applied enough layers, depending on finish you can either wetsand like Nick mentioned, then follow up with a rubbing compound, or if you did a good job just rubbing compound might do the trick. I wouldn't go away sanding your car if you are unfamiliar with the process, though. If you do, please use very high grit, I would personally be more cautious and use 1,200+

In regards to protection... clear bra like you mentioned, or, accept the fact that it's a car, roads aren't perfect, and it will wear. If after a few years, you end up with a lot of damage and it really bothers you, get it professionally repair and repainted, or just buy a new bumper for $400 and exchange. I used to be really anal about my car (and still am) but have come to accept you can't really avoid a rock flying up from the car in front of you and chipping your paint.

Also, if you don't feel comfortable sanding, there is this like "advanced touch up pen" or something. Not sure what it's called, but commercials (lol) look promising.

[nicknaz]

I use a super thin paint brush from art store. I feel it gives more control over how much paint to pick up and place and that the trick is to use very very little.

Btw one thing I never cleaned up on my old 3 series is chips and black rubber stains I accumulate from track days. Those are "battle scars"

[VailM3]

clear bra?

[Asbjorn]

Originally Posted by VailM3

clear bra?

Yup, its either leather or clear bra with the Z4. All my passengers know this...

[army_men]

Originally Posted by Asbjorn

Yup, its either leather or clear bra with the Z4. All my passengers know this...

Leather? I wouldn't know but that cant be comfortable.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by Asbjorn

Yup, its either leather or clear bra with the Z4. All my passengers know this...

[Roadstergal]

I swear by the clear bra. The front end of my car looks as good as the day I took delivery. After my first Z got pitted with a zillion stone chips, I have put the clear bra on every other Z that I have owned and have no worries.

[teezee]

did mine with clear film right after redelivery. front bumper, both mirrors and about 14" up the hood. Unless you stand at the right angle and look for it, the line is unnoticeable.

[BMWZ4RIDER]

Clear bra as outlined above. F Bumper, Qtr hood, mirrors. Love it. Undetectable unless you look for it on my Space Gray.
It protects the paint against small chips. Larger rocks will still penetrate the plastic, but I
Guarantee it will look 99% better then no protection over time.
I would not leave the garage without on all my cars (I care about)

[samiti]

So this "clear bra" - are you replacing it after time (how long) or is it permament? Price? And are you instaling it by yourself? Do you have to cut the holes for lights and other holes out?

[VailM3]

Originally Posted by samiti

So this "clear bra" - are you replacing it after time (how long) or is it permament? Price? And are you instaling it by yourself? Do you have to cut the holes for lights and other holes out?

its will last a good 5-10 years depending on how much you leave it in the sun as it will yellow over time if you get the cheap kind.

My father has had this on all his F-cars.

[BMWZ4RIDER]

Samiti
I purchased my Z with the Hood, mirrors and F Bumper Invisible Mask already installed.
These kits generally cost $500-$700 installed.
The kit with 3M or Scotchguard plastic are available for all years of the Z with all options like Parking Assist.
I have installed 2 full kits on my previous car. They are challenging and unforgiving if you make mistakes but can be a DIY installation. When installed correctly they are nearly "Invisible" as the name states. In 5 years on my last Garaged Acura it was still perfect. No yellowing etc. If the material does get damaged it can be removed using a hair dryer to heat it slightly and remove it with no damage to the paint at all and then get reinstalled.

Here is a web site address and sample products and prices

http://www.invisiblemask.com/site.html

2009 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I: Bumper(36 Inch Sensors) Kit
Part Number: BM-0884
Our Price: $237.55

Select 3M Scotchgard or VentureShield Film upon checkout.
Our Product vs the Competition
2009 BMW Z4 SDRIVE35I: Hood Mirrors Kit
Part Number: BM-0886
Our Price: $124.16

Our Product vs the Competition

[CedarZ4]

I don't know, maybe I am overly anal or just have a too-keen-for-my-own-good eyes.

I care about taking care of my car just as much as anyone on here, but I just never understand why clear bra gets so much praise. I can clearly see that there is a clear bra (on multiple cars before, so doubt it's the brand) from a standing position, 1-2 feet away. I can't see the clear bra itself, but I can see where it ends (the edge). I don't know why, but that bothers me a lot.

And in terms of the "you can't even tell it's there from distance". Well, from that distance you wouldn't be able to see a rock chip either. The only reason I can see for a clear bra is 1) Super rare or historical care where keeping everything original is a must, or maybe 2) resale value (but at $1,000 for material + install, you can easily buy a new bumper + repainted and installed without anyone knowing).

Just my opinion, but many people have it and are happy about it, and that's all that matters. Whatever you do though, leather bra is a no-no. Whenever I see one of those..

On A Z4...?

[Innovative AutoConcepts]

Spray on 3M Clear Bra. http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-new...-ar154393.html

[CedarZ4]

Originally Posted by ituning.technology

Spray on 3M Clear Bra. http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-new...-ar154393.html

It's like Plasti-Dip except it comes out clear!

In the video, they seem to only spray part of the hood (which would still leave that dreaded line/seam compared to the wrap) however, since it is a spray it will be easier to just do the whole bumper and hood. Cool

An at $25 per can (supposed to cover half a hood), for well under $100 you have enough to cover your bumper + hood, + some to spare incase you screw up. Good alternative to the $1,000 price tag on professional film install.

Edit: 20% off $100+ on AutoZone shipped home. That means this can be had for $80! Good DIY.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=255934_0_0_

[Innovative AutoConcepts]

Originally Posted by CedarZ4

It's like Plasti-Dip except it comes out clear!

In the video, they seem to only spray part of the hood (which would still leave that dreaded line/seam compared to the wrap) however, since it is a spray it will be easier to just do the whole bumper and hood. Cool

An at $25 per can (supposed to cover half a hood), for well under $100 you have enough to cover your bumper + hood, + some to spare incase you screw up. Good alternative to the $1,000 price tag on professional film install.

Edit: 20% off $100+ on AutoZone shipped home. That means this can be had for $80! Good DIY.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=255934_0_0_

Very Nice!

[InsanePineapple]

I'd definitely recommend clear bra for paint chip protection. If you are worried about seeing the edge, then get full hood coverage (instead of partial). I have partial hood coverage and I have to really look to see the line.

[Mr. ///M3 RD]

Originally Posted by mybank2828

Hi All,

Just saw a little chip either from rock or sand in the front bumper.
Is there any suggestion of what to use to patch it without those scaring looking touchup paint. Please if there's good recommendation, send me the link of the product.

Also, anyone use anything special to protect the bumper and front hood from road chips, beside the leather bra and that clear bra thingy!

Thanks for any recommendation in advance!

On my e46 2002 I used a bra like in this thread ===> Click to Open the Thread

Problem with that was it was a nightmare to clean, still it kept the front like new. I only used it on long trips like City to City up here in Canada.

On my first e92 I used the plastic bra ... did not like it since up close the colour change (bra coverd area to the rest of car) was noticeable.

On one of the German TV Motor Shows someone talked about using some sort of Vaseline like grease on long trips ... something like it anyway it made removal of bugs easy, however, I don't think it would prevent a stone from doing damage.

[mybank2828]

Thanks all for your recommendations! Looks like getting 3M clear bra spray is easier to do than the clear 3M wrap, right?

[SgtGigglebox]

Originally Posted by mybank2828

Thanks all for your recommendations! Looks like getting 3M clear bra spray is easier to do than the clear 3M wrap, right?

There's a bunch of folks discussing it here:

http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=845809