Front cover or vehicle bra

I have a hood deflector and was wondering if anyone has put a cover on the front of the truck. I think it would make keeping the front of the vehicle easier to keep clean and the screen would help protect the radiator. any thoughts or recommendations? I would not install the hood part of the bra as I prefer the deflector however the lower part of the grill could use some protection from bugs, brush, etc.

 

I have mixed emotions about front end covers. I used to buy them for my cars but the only time I would ever use them is when we went on long trips. If you plan on leaving it on all the time, it will "eventually" change the color of the paint. The exposed paint will "eventually" be a different shade than the "protected" part. Something else to consider, when it rains any small particles of dirt and debris will get washed under the cover and lead to small (sometimes larger) scratches in the clear coat of the paint. If you do decide to get one I would recommend a brand such as Colgan or factory (if they make one).

So my opinion is they are great for long runs at keeping bugs and rocks from eating up your paint. For every day use, I personally wouldn't (Hell, I couldn't with all the shit hanging off the front of my truck lol).

 

Some of this and some of that. The front end cover (Colgan, LeBra, Covercraft) won't make a change in the paint color. There will be what seems like discoloration on the hood because dirt will accumulate there, but simply hand cleaning it will clean up the seeming discoloration.

Yes, you definitely have to watch for gravel getting under the front end covers, it WILL happen. I've had to loosen my LeBra at the wheel wells three times to wash out gravel accumulating from being sprayed up from the front tires.

Again, a little of this and a little of that. A front end cover with mesh to keep the bugs out of your radiator is a good thing, and keeps the gravel chips off of your bumper and hood. And they're pretty cheap, the LeBra cost me $100 as opposed to 3M full front end coverage is like $700. One can simply put window screen in front of the radiator to keep the bugs out, I've done that before.

For me, I've had bra's on each of my vehicles since 1990 and I'm pleased with their cost-effectiveness. You have to keep them ArmorAll'd or Sonofagun'd or whatever vinyl cleaner and they last for 15 years.

 

Try clear film by 3m or what your dealer sells.

 

Don't those covers trap water and cause rust(LeBra)?

 

Don't cause rust on a plastic front end. They can be high-maintenance as I said above, can trap gravel. I'm ok with them since they're cheap as opposed to a $700 3M full front end job. I'd like to have a Colgan mask, but they don't make one for the 2012, only LeBra does as far as I know.

 

I had one installed on all of my cars/trucks...the Tacoma cost $500 to install on bumper and hood and it does a fantastic job of protecting the paint and it makes bug removal very easy.

 

I've got the 3M clear film too. Very happy with it. Pricey, but worth it. Do it soon before your paint gets road damage. Have it done by a pro with LOTS of experience.

 

I've always thought of car bras as being like those covers they used to put on the armrests of sofas - sure, your armrests look great, but who cares if you just have to look at the ugly-ass cover all the time?

 

Which is why I only used them for when we were on vacation. I never left them on for extended periods of time. They "will" scratch the paint and contrary to what another said here they will... over time... show a different color.

They are great for traveling but if it looked like it was going to rain I took it off so I wouldn't get any debris underneath it. Even the smallest grit will scratch the clear coat. I never left them on for long periods at a time.

These pictures were taken on vacations.

Factory Honda Front end Cover that we used to have




Factory Nissan Front end Cover

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