[ScottyNorq]

Here are some photos of my MagnetBra, sorry for the delay!

Where did you get that molded license plate bracket?

 

[paulfolio]

That looks awesome. I just have a bug deflector. How did you get the yellow fogs? I emailed Lamin-X and they said they haven't made the film for the 2013 fogs yet but said they could just send me a roll and I could cut it out myself. Is that what you did?

Yeah. I got a roll, cut a rough circle to fit the lamp, installed it and trimmed it. Pretty easy, but just be patient.


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[AO River]

Just my opinion, and everyone has one....
I'd rather look at a chip or two every day, than look at a bra.
Also, I can't see a chip unless I'm up close. I can see a bra from 200 yards.

I bought a used Mazda years back. Came with a Bra. I left it on. Came time to sell the car, and I took the bra off to take a good look at the hood where the bra was. The clear coat was dull everywhere under the bra from microscopic grit being rubbed into the paint. Also, the paint was not the same color under the bra. The bra had to stay on the car, or it looked terrible.

The magnet bra looks like a nice, cheap alternative, however with a high-quality clear bra installation there is nothing to look at - except a clean hood.

The major advantage of having a clear bra is protection without knowing it's there. I did pay a premium for mine to be installed, but now there is unnoticeable protection on the front bumper, full hood, headlights, fog lights, A-pillars and side mirrors.

 

[mrz415]

Magnet Bra

Just bought it(magnet bra),

Overall for less than 1/10 the price of Clearbra I think its worth it.
Please becareful when you peel off the "magnetbra " sticker on the magnetbra
I did some minor DMG to it ( it almost looks like I did my own first rock chip ) which
I fixed ( using a bit of black silicone ).

 

[mark211]

Give the magnet bra a year or so and then go back and take it off and I bet you have paint rub and also down the line the paint will fade differently from the rest of the hood.
Clear bra half way up and then on the bumper is worth the price of protection and nothing to have to worry about.

 

[mrz415]

I am going to either take it off to clean every 6 months or after a big storm.

I guess it comes down to aesthetics because I think it adds to the overall
look of my Outback.

 

[Nickshu]

I had a 3m Clearbra professionally installed on my car for $399. I think the OP's $700 is pretty steep.

This included hood, fender flares, headlights, fog lights, sideview mirrors, and inside the door handles. They did a great job.

The installer said that the Outback is #2 on 3m's list of most difficult vehicles due to the contour of the hood near the headlights. Mine has some small streach marks here but looks good. Came w/ lifetime warranty so if it start to lift they will redo it at no charge.

 

[hiker74]

Magnet Bra fits the 2013, for those of you wondering. Just finished installing mine.

View attachment 26861
View attachment 26862


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Thanks for posting the photos. I was planning to go to the dealer and buy the hood protector at lunch today (which is $100 from the dealer but $79+ $12 shipping online), but I started researching and came across the Magnetbra. Looks great! I am ordering today for our 2013 Venetian Red Outback. I will post some photos once I get it installed. I kept reading about the deflector being difficult to install and then the foam piece scratching the paint, people removing the foam and then getting a whistle sound after...Glad I saw this

 

[Deanski]

I have film on the Porsche: hood, headlights, front clip, side mirrors, door cups (great for fingernail scrapes), wheel arches/doglegs.

Best investment! Keeps headlights free from sand blasting, rocks do not damage it, and it can be removed anytime.

If you want to keep it looking new and free from some damage, then yes it's worth it. Headlights do get worn and in time haze from all the sand etc. On the wheel well arches and doglegs it protects from flying rocks out of the tires. Hood, I did a 3/4 coverage.

It all depends if you are keeping it or trading it in and in both cases, having the protection does help in keeping it new.

Go with a higher end film especially on headlights.

Problem with magnetic or clip on "bra" is they collect dirt and can scratch the finish in time unless it's removed often, cleaned and the finish cleaned. It also retains water which can also damage the finish between the bra and sunlight.

 

[J Delman]

This seems like a good source for both 3M & Venture Shield. They claim to take more care in developing their patterns, with more relief cuts, etc.. They will salso price match, co you can shop eBay then call them.


Invisible Mask - Clear Bra Automotive Paint Protection, 3M Scotchgard, Carbon Fiber 3M Films

 

[J Delman]

Venture Shield is better and will not yellow. I have one third the hood done and the lights. $200. Just to prevent rust. Bumper is plastic so Dr. Colorchip to hide the nicks on that.

Why do you consider Venture Shield better? One source that carries both that and 3M says it's more flexible, therefore easier to install. Warranty is shorter though.

 

[Bags]

Give the magnet bra a year or so and then go back and take it off and I bet you have paint rub and also down the line the paint will fade differently from the rest of the hood.

Do you know this from prior experience?

 

[NinjaTurtle2.5]

Where did you get that molded license plate bracket?

Hey, just saw your question, sorry! I got it from subaruonlineparts.com

 

[Deanski]

Give the magnet bra a year or so and then go back and take it off and I bet you have paint rub and also down the line the paint will fade differently from the rest of the hood.
Clear bra half way up and then on the bumper is worth the price of protection and nothing to have to worry about.

Yes this does happen. If the "bra" is left on for an extended time, you will have wear on the paint mostly at the edges of the "bra" and in time, paint below it will not match up with the rest of the finish.

Most issues can be addressed by polishing the finish and depending how bad may need to resort to a more aggressive pad/cutting/cleaning product as opposed to a polishing pad and a mild polish. Always start with a mild pad/polish if you are going to machine polish, then step up the product or pad to level off the edge difference.

A clear film will normally add no additional protection to the finish from the sun. This is done so when the film is removed, the only problem you have will be leveling the finish between where it ended/started and the remaining finish.

Also, a good film does not detract from the appearance of the finish where a magnetic "bra" detracts the look of the vehicle and just looks terrible.

Sure, clear film can be a bit expensive, but my headlights and hood etc are still new. Film protected my hood from a Subaru mud flap that flew off and skipped over the hood. Only damage was a scuff mark on the film. Replaced and hood was flawless.

It's all a matter of preference. It is a Subaru after all and if you're anal with keeping a finish looking new then film is the answer. If not, no one will criticize your choice!

Deanski

 

[hiker74]

Here are the photos of the magnetbra installed on our 2013. $61.00 ($49.99 including freight not too bad). It was a little more difficult to install than I thought. I used a ceramic block heater to heat it up on the car to get it to conform to the hood

 

[Pool Runner]

I was going to invest in another clear bra, but I noticed the next day I had already got a small chip on the hood, and one on the front bumper just driving the car home from the dealer 45 min away from home. Wife already has a pretty good chip on the front windshield after just a week of ownership



At the end of the day it's just a car errr Subaru, who are you "preserving" it for? The next owner?

 

[Ken972]

Here are the photos of the magnetbra installed on our 2013. $61.00 ($49.99 including freight not too bad). It was a little more difficult to install than I thought. I used a ceramic block heater to heat it up on the car to get it to conform to the hood

How is your magnet bra holding up hiker74? Any regrets? I also have a venetian red outback and am thinking of the magnet bra. Interested in your thoughts after having it installed for 6 months or so.

 

[mark211]

Do you know this from prior experience?

Yes, I have seen cars that use this and similar products. Its basic, a piece of material that is constantly moving across your paint also it blocks the sun preventing natural paint fade. You would end up with dirt and other elements rubbing against the paint and the one spot on the hood with a line down of darker area of paint.

Its basic Common sense!!

 

[mark211]

I was going to invest in another clear bra, but I noticed the next day I had already got a small chip on the hood, and one on the front bumper just driving the car home from the dealer 45 min away from home. Wife already has a pretty good chip on the front windshield after just a week of ownership



At the end of the day it's just a car errr Subaru, who are you "preserving" it for? The next owner?

Clear bra only prevents small sized chips from tiny to small rocks, larger one will no matter make an impression and they should and told you this when installed. I would rather have small to no chips that numerous ones as I drive a lot. I have a few chips but compared to no clear bra on my bumper and fogs ,I am thankful for It!!

For those concerned about rock chips on the windshield should ask around if they know of ClearPlex, its the same clear material like clearbra but for windshields. This is not available every where as many dealers are behind the times with New products and also its a deal breaker for glass shops.
The Company - ClearPlex

 

[Tom28]

There is always rhino liner...

That starts peeling off after about 10 years. And it comes off on your clothes.

Looking to have the bed of my pickup redone.

The VW I bought recently has clear bra on it. I wouldn't pay for it, personally. After I finished the test drive, a detailer happened to walk by and commented on the car. He suspected it has $1k of clear bra on it. That's just insane.

But - to each their own I guess.