In thinking about going for the headlight modification, I thought about the use of the front bra. With the modification, the existing front bra will be obsolete. I really like using the front bra specially during long highway runs.
The current bra is long on the tooth to say the least, so I am looking to replace the bra. I've asked Jennifer at Xtreme to do a bit of research on this to see if there is anyone in Nac that will make a new bra for the new headlight configuration.
Has anyone here replaced the front bra, or can help?
Our coach came with a bra. The part of the bra that covers the generator door was lost while driving in high winds somewhere near Rapid City, SD. I removed the remaining portion and stowed it in the garage.
We only have about 12K miles of driving/cleaning experience on our coach. Based on our limited experience, I decided that I would prefer to leave the front of our coach "naked."
Peter,
I'm sure you've looked at this thread:
Motorhome Front End Protection Systems (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=5539.msg22929#msg22929)
Good insights from James Stallings on the range of available options.
Would you consider an "Invisible Maidenform"?
We decided to use a premium 3M film when our coach was new (under 2K miles - attributable to delivery to Tampa from Nac.).
On the first film, we had a choice of three grades of 3M product. We chose the premium grade and found an installer in Sanford that did a lot of luxury sports cars, private aircraft and coaches, among other work. That film ($1K, including the full cap above the windshields) lasted very well (6 plus years before it started crazing from UV aging). We had that replaced, using the same product, by Dazzling Detailing, in Orlando in 2005 ($900). That installation was not as professional, but the product was even better. When James took it off in January of 2010, it was like new and the front decals on the coach were also like new, and 100% intact. I had no gel coat chips or nicks at all, other than a handful that were in margin areas not protected by the film, over the years.
Since having our Stallings upgrades done (about 10K miles and one year ago), I have used just Rejex and no film.
I have also used the 3M film on an Odyssey and currently have it on the Lexus (in a Lifetime Warranty, Zero Deductible, Lexus Replacement Agreement).
Bottom Line?
I'm seriously entertaining putting the 3M shields back on the coach.
I have had more front end damage on the coach (nicks, abrasion, dings, minor chips in the gel coat that I can't polish out) during the last 10K miles, than from all of the other miles and years combined (148K/12 years). I know that other owners have had much less favorable experience with the "Invisible Bra" shields, and I don't have the answers to that.
But, I have always taken the following care of my shields:
- I drive very conservatively and allow extra distance, beyond even normal, safe margins, whenever possible (saves a whole lot more than just gel coat)
- I wash the bugs off the same day that I collect them - ALWAYS (That's something that I learned from motorcycling. Either you MAKE 15 -20 minutes today, or it will be 40 minutes tomorrow or, leave it for a week, and it will be an hour or two to remove the bugs. And, the acidic residue will have pitted the surface by then.
- I treat a shield like Clear Coat and keep it waxed, or use a product like Rejex (or I used 303 Protectant for several years).
- I only use a quality wash agent (Meguires #62) on the coach, never use more than slightly warm water (avoid hot), use only soft, clean bath towels or quality microfiber towels with a detailing, wetting agent like Wash and Wax or Meguires Finishing Detailer (think a soft, easily scratched Clear Coat finish).
- I treat it like James says: A sacrificial coating that is soft, will absorb energy, thus protecting the gel coat from chips/nicks, will age and will need to be periodically replaced. At the end of life, our shields had numerous nicks and gouges, where they had done their job, but stand 10 feet away and you really had to strain to see the imperfections. The Premium 3M product has no yellowing, or edge deterioration and is warranted to not accumulate "edge dirt", if maintained properly.
- My cost experience has averaged out to be about $160/year to keep the front end looking like a brand new coach (admittedly, from anything greater than a few feet away, regarding nicks and rock hits).
- Reasonably cost effective? I think so.
FWIW, Peter,
You asked.
Best wishes to you & Beth.
Neal
Neal,
Thanks for your reply. What I like most about the front bra is the ease of cleanup when there's a zillion bugs out there. The bugs don't seem to stick to the vinyl...they just wash right off. But then, I have to work on the bugs up high over the windshields... :( There's no eutopia.
I am of the opinion that I will go naked and clean it when I get to my destination. I can do it in two buckets of water and my brush. I use hot water too. Now, I can spend the money for the bra and give it to xtreme when I need a touch up. Not a big deal and not very often. I have had 3 nicks that had to be filled in 300K miles....
Peter: I was wondering about the headlight modification. I have a 96 U 320 and the plastic around the headlights are old & ugly so what kind of mod is there? Thanks Art
Art,
If you go to the links section on this forum, there is a link to Xtreme Graphics. At Xtreme's web site, you can search and see the headlight mod. It looks just like the new coaches.
Custom RV and Motorhome Painting, Custom RV Paint Design, RV Paint Repair, (http://www.xtremegraphics.net/featured.html)
the above link takes you to the Metzger coach upgraded earlier this year.
I normally prefer to go naked (the front of the coach), but down here in Fla. when the love bugs are in full swing, I put the bra on. Those things are terrible. If they could make a glue from their bodies, it would be the best ever.