How Does Clear Bra Paint Protection Work?

Clear Bra paint protection film will help protect your car's paint job. How exactly does it work? Learn what you need to know here.

If your car is one of your most precious possessions, you'll do everything you can to protect it. You're sure to stay up to date on maintenance, wash and detail it regularly, and drive carefully.

No matter how careful you are, some things are unavoidable. A bit of road debris can permanently scar your front bumper through no fault of your own.

If you're serious about preserving the beauty of your car, you need clear bra paint protection. This unique material is the most robust paint protectant on the market.

Read on to learn how it works.

What is Clear Bra Made of?

Clear bras (sometimes called paint protection film or PPF) are a thin plastic film that can be affixed to your car's painted surfaces, grill, and headlights.

All clear bras contain a layer of polyurethane. This plastic material lends PPF its resilience.

It's incredibly strong, so it can stand up to the rigors of the road. It'll keep your car safe from the cosmetic damage caused by rocks, dirt, and other kinds of road debris. 

This material is also clear, so it won't change the appearance of your car. Your pristine paint job will shine through even though it's covered by a protective layer.

Polyurethane isn't the only material that can be found in clear bras. They also feature a top layer made of materials called elastomeric polymers. This special plastic grants PPF its most notable characteristic.

High-quality clear bras are prized for their ability to "self heal." When something like a small rock impacts your car, the flexible polymers allow PPF to absorb the impact without damage to your protective layer. Ambient heat then allows these polymers to return to their smooth resting state.

A special adhesive binds clear bras to your car's surface. It's designed to cling to every curve of your car. The best kinds of clear bras use an adhesive that's chemically engineered to resist oxidation, so your PPF always remains clear.

A History of Protection

Clear bras have a history that spans decades.

They were first developed by the company 3M for use during the Vietnam War. During the war, helicopter pilots needed a way to protect their rotors from flying debris.

3M's unique urethane material provided the protection pilots needed. It was highly successful, and the U.S. military expanded the use of these products to many other kinds of vehicles over the next few decades.

After the protective qualities of clear bras had been proven by the armed forces, NASCAR adopted the technology in the 1980s. It was the perfect material to shield stock cars from track debris without covering up their sponsors' logos.

Clear bras finally made their way to consumer cars in the 1990s. Protective bras had been around since the 1960s when Colgans Auto Upholstery designed a bra for the Porsche 356, but it took a few decades for those designs to adopt clear technology.

Why You Need a Clear Bra

The biggest advantage of using a clear bra on your car is the protection it offers from road debris. No other kind of car paint protectant can stand up to rocks, twigs, and gravel like a clear bra. Its self-healing properties are an incredible bonus.

Clear bras can do so much more than keep your car's paint job scratch-free. They also prevent paint discoloring from oxidation.

Over time, the sun can damage your car's paint. While your clear coat offers a bit of protection, the sun's UV rays will eventually cause discoloration.

However, if you cover your car in PPF, you won't have to worry about oxidation. UV rays can't penetrate a clear bra, so your paint remains unharmed.

PPF also prevents chemical damage caused by things like road salt and bird droppings. These materials eat away at your car's paint, but a clear bra keeps your paint job blemish-free.

Clear bras are also much easier to maintain than other kinds of paint protectants. You won't need to change your regular maintenance routine to accommodate one.

What to Know Before Installation

Clear bras are an excellent form of paint protection. They offer unparalleled performance and are convenient to live with. 

That said, you need to be aware of a few key things before you install one on your car.

Lifespan

You will eventually need to replace your clear bra. Even though they can repair themselves, their material will eventually begin to break down. If you use a high-quality clear bra, you should expect to get about five years of use out of it.

Protection Limits

PPF does a great job protecting your vehicle from cosmetic blemishes, but it can't protect you from significant body damage. For instance, a clear bra won't prevent the damage from something like a tree branch falling on the hood of your car.

Won't Enhance Your Car's Paint Job

Don't get clear bras mixed up with other kinds of paint protectants that give your car's paint a freshly-waxed appearance. Your traditional clear bra is totally transparent, so your paint will look the same as it always has.

If you want PPF that can enhance your car's appearance, look for clear bras with matte or glossy finishes.

Don't Try to DIY

When you shop for clear bras, you'll find a number of DIY kits. You should avoid these if you're serious about your PPF. 

They are of less quality than the kind of clear bras you'd find at a professional detailer. Clear bras also need a skilled hand to apply them, or else you risk developing the air bubble and peeling issues that plague amateur installations.

Search for clear bra installers near me and have your PPF installed by a professional.

Clear Bra Paint Protection You Can Trust

Clear bra paint protection is the best way to protect your car. You won't have to worry about cosmetic damage with one installed.

PPF is composed of three layers: elastomeric polymers, polyurethane, and adhesive. This construction means clear bras are transparent, strong, and flexible.

Looking for paint protection film installers near me? Dealer Xpress Window Tinting is the perfect place to get a clear bra in Seattle. Get a free estimate today.