Car bra materials and care guide
All of the car bras we feature employ heavy-duty vinyl for deflecting stones and debris from your vehicle's paint. While the exact type of vinyl varies by product, most car bras, including classic car bras, employ durable UV-resistant vinyl for the outer layer. This provides outstanding protection for paint and helps maintain a snug fit on your vehicle. Car bra vinyl is treated to prevent fading in the sun, shrinkage in the heat, and stiffness in cold weather.
Beneath the protective shield of the outer vinyl is a soft, paint-safe inner layer of cloth material for pampering your vehicle's finish. While the exact material varies by product, thick flannel and knit cloth layers are frequently used for protection, keeping your vehicle's paint in showroom condition.
Every car bra attaches differently to your vehicle, and uses different materials to get the job done. These include hooks and straps attached to the bra, and may also include strategically-placed Velcro fasteners.
Hooks are used in a variety of shapes and styles to ensure a tight fit to your vehicle�s front end. Almost all full front end car bras use hooks inside the wheel well for fastening around your fenders. Hooks are also employed on the ends of straps for attachment of the hood section of a car bra.
Some car bras attach to your vehicle using bare plastic hooks. The alternative hook is metal padded with vinyl, neoprene or another substance. These padded hooks are superior hardware that takes special care to protect your paint. They're typically found on classic car bras and luxury car bras exclusively.
There are two basic strap types used on car bras: bungee cord straps and woven nylon straps. Each has their upside and downside.
Woven nylon straps boast great durability. Their tough materials and precise weave mean your straps won�t wear out easily with regular use. They must be tightened like any standard strap, though, leaving the potential for loosening and ultimately a less tight fit for your car bra.
Bungee cord straps, conversely, maintain their tension better than a standard nylon design. This best preserves the exact fit of your car bra, and is usually found attached to classic and luxury car bras. The downside to a bungee strap is the possibility of overstretching. Once a bungee strap has been pushed past the limits, it�s pretty much useless.
More than just a cloth lining is needed for full protection of your paint. Following the manufacturer's instructions for care that are included with your bra is essential to your vehicle's protection and your driving satisfaction. Using and properly maintaining your bra is the best way to guard your precious investment. Simply put, take care of your car bra, and it'll take care of you.
Proper care when your bra gets wet is essential to the condition of both your bra and your paint. Moisture trapped between the super-tight material of your car bra and your vehicle's finish can cause a number of damaging results to both your paint and your bra.
Mildew is the most common problem with a neglected wet car bra, which can have effects on both your paint and your bra. Beyond mildew, trapped moisture can eventually cause costly clear coat cracking or paint bubbling. That's why special care for a wet car bra is so essential to your finish's condition.
Classic car bras can be driven in wet conditions, but should be removed when you're done driving. Lay your car bra out in a clean area where it can dry completely. Reinstall when both your car bra and your vehicle's front end are completely dry.
All-weather car bras are micro-perforated to allow trapped moisture to evaporate. If the bra gets wet, simply drive it dry. If the bra is thoroughly soaked, removal is the best idea. If you have no time to drive the bra dry, or if your vehicle will be parked outside in the elements for an extended period, remove the bra and lay it out in a clean spot. Allow the bra to dry, and reinstall when your vehicle's front end is moisture-free.
Be sure to follow the specific included manufacturer's instructions for wet car bra care. Your car bra may come with additional care steps for moisture and finish protection.
When you do remove your car bra, the best place to store it is in your trunk or in your garage. For the ultimate protection, you can pack it into a special car bra accessory: a storage bag. Plus, these bags even come in black and carbon fiber finishes to match your car bra.
Keep washing instructions for your car bra in mind, too. Each car bra we feature can be cleaned with a mild detergent and water, or common car wash soap.Classic car bras should be removed for cleaning. While all-weather car bras can be washed on your vehicle, they must be driven dry afterwards. Never machine wash a car bra.
Most manufacturers recommend removing and cleaning your car bra whenever you wash your vehicle. It's important to clean the paint surfaces underneath your car bra regularly, as dust and dirt can get trapped between the cloth lining and your finish.
Allowing this dirt to stay trapped under the car bra can have a "sandblasting" effect on your vehicle's finish, making your paint underneath the bra cloudy in comparison to the rest of your car. Weekly removal and cleaning is a safe practice.
We hope you have found our Car Bras Research Guide Center a good guide in helping you choose the best Car Bras for your vehicle. It is AutoAnything's goal to provide the most information on the Internet and through our Auto Accessory Specialists on every product we sell. If you have any information that you think could help improve this section, please email us at researchcenter@autoanything.com.