Clear bra coverage: which panels to protect
Start with the front. The bumper, the hood, the mirrors, the headlights and the fenders take the large majority of rock chips and bug damage on almost every car. A full front clear bra, which we call Full Front, covers all of those, and for most daily drivers it is the right place to begin.
Everything beyond the front depends on how you use the car and how long you plan to keep it. This page walks through the car panel by panel so you can decide what is worth covering.
Why the front takes the damage
The front of the car is the part that meets the road first. Stones thrown by the vehicle ahead hit the bumper and the leading edge of the hood. Bugs hit the grille area and the mirrors. At highway speed, the face of the car sees a steady stream of small impacts, and every one of them lands on the same few panels.
That is why film is installed in packages that move outward from the front. The front is where you get the most protection for the coverage.
The front panels, one by one
Front bumper
The lower bumper takes gravel, the upper bumper takes bugs and the corners take parking lot scuffs. It is a large, curved surface, so a bumper is also where the quality of an install shows. We wrap the edges so the film reads as paint.
Hood
The leading edge of the hood is the most chipped panel on most cars. Covering only a strip along the front edge leaves a visible film line, and many owners prefer a full hood so there is no line to see.
Fenders
The front fenders sit beside the hood and take the next layer of hits. A full front package covers them completely, which avoids a film line across the fender where it meets the hood.
Mirrors
Mirror caps stick out from the body and collect bugs and stones from the side. They are small panels that are chipped on a surprising number of cars, and they are included in every package we offer.
Headlights and fog lights
Plastic lenses scratch and haze. Film keeps them clear and keeps the front of the car looking uniform.
Beyond the front
A-pillars and the roof edge
The A-pillars and the roof edge over the windshield catch stones thrown off the hood. They sit at an angle that collects chips, and they are tricky to repaint cleanly.
Rocker panels
The rockers sit behind the front wheels and take the gravel, salt and water the tires throw back. On a car driven in winter, they are one of the first places chips and rust show.
Doors, rear bumper and the rest
The door edges, the rear bumper and the sides take parking lot contact more than road debris. Full Body covers all of it, and it suits cars that get parked in tight places, collector cars and owners who want every painted panel protected.
How the packages line up
- Basic Front: front bumper, full hood, mirrors, headlights and fog lights. Usually done within a day.
- Full Front: Basic Front plus the full front fenders. One to two days.
- Full Front Plus: Full Front plus the A-pillars, the roof edge over the windshield and the rocker panels. One to two days.
- Full Body: every painted panel. Two to three days.
Matte film is available in the same packages at both shops.
Choosing the right coverage
A few questions help.
- How much of your driving is at highway speed?
- Do you park outside or in a garage?
- How long will you keep the car?
- Is the paint a special colour, matte or hard to match?
- Would you rather cover the front only, or have the whole car covered edge to edge?
If most of your miles are on the highway, Full Front Plus adds the panels that catch what the front tires throw back. If you plan to keep the car for years, or it is a collector car, Full Body protects the whole finish. If you want to start small, Basic Front is a good first step, and you can add more later.
How we install it
The car is washed, decontaminated and inspected. If the paint needs correction, we do it before the film goes on. Patterns are adjusted to your car before they are cut, and the LLumar film is laid panel by panel in a climate-controlled bay, with the edges wrapped wherever the shape allows.
Everything is done in house by our full-time staff, and the film carries a manufacturer backed warranty.
Clear bra coverage questions
What is a full front clear bra?
It is the package that covers the front bumper, the full hood, the mirrors, the headlights, the fog lights and the full front fenders. It protects the whole face of the car with no film line across the fenders.
Can I add panels later?
Yes. Many owners start with Basic Front or Full Front and add panels once they see the result. Because the film is cut to the car, adding later is straightforward.
Is a partial hood a good idea?
It leaves a visible film edge across the hood, so most owners who want a clean look choose the full hood. Every package we offer includes the full hood.
Does clear bra work on a matte car?
Yes, matte film protects factory matte paint, which cannot be polished if it gets marked. Talk to us about the finish before you book.
