Hey ... does anybody have a bra on their truck? I've been debating a bug deflector bug have a problem with the little vinyl pads that most seem to take. I want to be able to get behind it but definately don't want to scratch the paint. The bra idea seems like a good solution since I'm more concerned about chips and scrapes on long trips than I am about the windshield. I wouldn't have to use it at all when I'm hanging out close to home.

I've seen a few but have narrowed it down to a two piece bra that covers the hood across and up about a foot or so and the one that covers the front but narrows and goes all the way up and around the top of the hood.

Anybody have any info ... any chance of scratching behind the bra?

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99 F150 XLT, 4.6L Triton, Amazon Green, JVC AM/FM/CD, Leonard Fiberglass Shell

 

The bra can damage your paint as well. My bug deflector doesn't hurt my paint at all.


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keith@myf150.com
http://www.myf150.com
Rocky Mount, NC

1999 F-150 XLT Styleside, Black On Black, SuperCab, Short Bed, 4x4, ORP, 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS

Mods: DrawTite Class III Hitch, Smittybilt Outland Grill Guard/Brush Guards, KC Daylighters, Custom Dual Exhaust-Straight Out The Back, Airaid FIPK, SuperChips Chip, Bug Deflector, Pace-Edwards Roll-Top Bed Cover

 

Hey Conqsoft ... thanks for the info. I looked at the pics on your site (NICE TRUCK) but couldn't tell ... do you use those little vinyl sticker pieces that are supposed to prevent rubbing? No problems at highway speeds? Which brand did you go with? I'm considering the Lund Interceptor if i go with the shield.

 

There are some small "pads" between the shield and the hood. To be honest I don't even remember what brand the shield is. When I bought it I took the label off of it....


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keith@myf150.com
http://www.myf150.com
Rocky Mount, NC

1999 F-150 XLT Styleside, Black On Black, SuperCab, Short Bed, 4x4, ORP, 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS

Mods: DrawTite Class III Hitch, Smittybilt Outland Grill Guard/Brush Guards, KC Daylighters, Custom Dual Exhaust-Straight Out The Back, Airaid FIPK, SuperChips Chip, Bug Deflector, Pace-Edwards Roll-Top Bed Cover

 

also there might be some more info on this in the "lighting" thread. There's a thread there about clear bra's

 

I had a 2 piece bra on my GT for a few years. Assuming you get a good quality bra, if you keep a good coat of wax under it keep it properly secured it won't hurt the paint. Althought you should take it off to wash it the better ones can dry on the vehicle without leaving a mark, in case you get caught in the rain.
I just saw one a few days ago and they look good, but I already have a bug shield.

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1999 Lariat Super Cab, S.B. 5.4L, 3.55 LS
and everything but the leaky slider window.
Bright red w/ gold 2-tone
Mods: Duraliner bedliner, Bugflector II
& a leeetle chrome tip on the exhaust.

 

I have the Lund Interceptor bug shield on my truck. No rubber pads, also it is fairly stiff and far enough away fronm the hood you can easily wash and wax behind it. If you do get a shield with the pads, stick them to the shield not the hood.
Jeff

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1999 F150 Lariat
Reg cab Short box Styleside
5.4L 3.55ls
Deep Wedgwood Blue/Silver
Lund Interceptor hood shield, VentVisors, Class III hitch, Ford molded mud guards, soft tonneau, factory CD with changer (thanks Dusty), tinted windows

 

Hey I have a bra on my truck 97` Lariat SC 4x4 Flareside .Its been on alittle over a year now . NO problems with hood yet, had one on 92` explorer 3 years no problems there . My bra is FORD FACTORY BRA 2 pieces. I LOVE IT. had a bug thing on 91` ranger it ate the paint off the hood, bad. So I`ve used bras ever since. NO PROBLEMS!!!!!!!

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I guess I should explain mine better. It doesn't have anything that block access behind it. The rubber pads I was referring to are down in the gap where it touches the lip of the hood.


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keith@myf150.com
http://www.myf150.com
Rocky Mount, NC

1999 F-150 XLT Styleside, Black On Black, SuperCab, Short Bed, 4x4, ORP, 4.6L Auto, 3.55LS

Mods: DrawTite Class III Hitch, Smittybilt Outland Grill Guard/Brush Guards, KC Daylighters, Custom Dual Exhaust-Straight Out The Back, Airaid FIPK, SuperChips Chip, Bug Deflector, Pace-Edwards Roll-Top Bed Cover

 

I won't put a bra on my truck, "she" likes to "be free." I wouldn't have her running around without a garter belt (bug guard) though.


[This message has been edited by Andthensometoo (edited 08-19-1999).]

 

After exhaustive research (which drove my wife freaking crazy!) I decide that au natural is the only way for me. Saturday I'll put about 12 coats of wax on her nose and leave her to the Texas weather and road demons. Besides ... I justified new speakers when I opted out of the bug guard / bra concept. I just couldn't make myself cover up that purty Amazon Green Metalic. Thanks for the help though.

 

Prowler: I felt the same as you. And for 3 years have waxed, washed, cleaned, ect...the truck. I now have a whole host of tiny picks, scraches, dings and chips on the hood. I broke down a couple of weeks ago and bought a bug shield!! And I'm still trying to get used to how it looks I may remove it and have it painted to match so it doesn't catch my eye as much. If I ever get another new truck, I'll know to put something up front to protect against the bugs and rock/sand.

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97F150 XLT SC 4x4 Flairside 4.6 V8 5sp Dk Toreador Red, 3.55LS
ARE tonneau cover, p255/70rx16 tires (came w/235), Superchip
Pioneer CD w/4 Polk Speakers & Clarion APA5240amp, skid plates
bed liner, side window deflectors, reese hitch, K&N air filter
40s-2chamber Flowmaster, Bosch +4 spark plugs, rustproofing
Better Built Stainless nerf bars

 

I'm with Tina on this one, one chip on the hood sent me running to Pep Boys.

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1999 Lariat Super Cab, S.B. 5.4L, 3.55 LS
and everything but the leaky slider window.
Bright red w/ gold 2-tone
Mods: Duraliner bedliner, Bugflector II
& a leeetle chrome tip on the exhaust.

 

I am a firm believer in Automotive bra's. I have had them for every vehicle I have ever owned. You must take care of your vehicle in order not to harm the paint from the bra. I have seen a lot of people using them in the rain, snow, sleet, and even put them on a dirty vehicle. This is where the problem lies. I always use mine on my show vehicles when traveling to shows, Out here in California there are quite a few bugs in the early AM and at night for the return trip home. I dont use it for around town driving or when it rains. Using common sense with bra's will eliminate any paint problems.

Roger Lemere
Roger@F150online.com
Digital Marketplace Advisor

 

I have the just the hood bra for my truck, I don't like the whole nose one. I only use it to go on long trips and take it off when I'm driving locally. It fits great so there is no problem on the hood. The Manik grill gaurd has a bar that is right in front of the hood so that helps some too.

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Gino Tedesco, '99 XLT 5.4l, SUPERCHIPPED, 3" Gibson catback exhaust,4x4 S/C Flareside D.wedge bl/Dk.graph manik grlgaurd w/piaa lights