Clear Bra Care
If you’ve just invested in Paint Protection Film (PPF) for your car, congrats! It’s one of the best ways to keep your paint looking flawless for years to come. Whether you’ve protected your entire car or just the high-impact areas like the hood and front bumper, PPF is like a shield that takes the brunt of everyday hazards—everything from rock chips and bug splatter to UV rays.
But like any good investment, your PPF requires a little TLC to ensure it stays in top shape. Without proper maintenance, your film might not last as long, or worse, it might not protect your car the way it’s meant to.
Don’t worry! The good news is that Clear Bra care and maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated. With these 7 easy tips, you can keep your car’s paint protection film looking as good as new for years to come.
1. Wait 7 Days After Install Before Washing Your Car
You’ve just had your Clear Bra installed, and you’re excited to show off your car’s fresh, protected look. But before you head to the car wash, here’s an important rule: Wait at least 7 Days after installation before washing your car.
Why It’s Important:
After PPF is applied, the adhesive needs time to bond fully with your car’s surface. Since PPF is always installed wet to ensure a perfect fit, the residual moisture needs time to evaporate to form a strong bond. If you wash your car too soon, the additional water and pressure can disrupt the curing process and cause the film to lift or peel at the edges.
Pro Tip:
If you really need to clean your car during this 7-day window—let’s say you got hit with some unfortunate bird droppings or a dust storm—use a soft, damp microfiber cloth to gently wipe off any dirt or debris by hand. Avoid spraying any water or cleaning solutions during this time.
The important takeaway is to be as gentle as possible while the adhesive cures. Although not often, we've had to redo a few PPF jobs when folks get too antsy to clean their car. We know Colorado roads aren't very clean car friendly, but do be patient to clean, it makes a difference! Thankfully, we were able to fix them, but they learned the hard way: waiting is key!
2. Use a pH-Balanced Car Soap
When it’s time to wash your car, not just any soap will do. A pH-balanced or pH-neutral car soap or shampoo is a must to keep your Clear Bra looking its best. Although high or low pH soaps do have their place in your kit, frequent use can not only degrade your paint, but they can also break down PPF over time.
Why It’s Important:
Some car soaps contain harsh chemicals that can break down the urethane in paint protection film over time, causing it to degrade, yellow, or lose its clarity. A pH-balanced soap, on the other hand, is gentle enough to clean your car without stripping away the protective qualities of your PPF.
However, that's not to say stronger cleaning agents should never be used, they certainly have their place. Just be sure to use a pH-neutral soap for regular washings, and the more aggressive cleaners sparingly and always according to their instructions.
Pro Tip:
When shopping for car soap, look for products labeled as pH-neutral or designed for ceramic coatings or Clear Bra. These soaps clean effectively without being too aggressive. Avoid anything too acidic or alkaline, as it could damage the film, especially if left to dry on your paint or PPF.
3. Hand Wash Instead of Using Automatic Car Washes
I know, I know—automatic car washes are quick and convenient. But if you’ve got PPF on your car, it’s best to avoid them altogether.
Why It’s Important:
Most automatic car washes use brushes that can scratch or lift the edges of your Clear Bra, let alone the damage they cause to paint. Touchless washes aren't a great option either, as they use strong chemicals and extremely high-pressure water, which can also damage the film or cause it to lift while still not cleaning well.
Pro Tip:
Your best bet is to wash your car by hand. Use a soft wash mitt or microfiber towel, gentle soap, and a two-bucket system (one for soapy water and one for rinsing your mitt/towel) to minimize the risk of scratching your paint. If you’re short on time and your car isn't too dirty, a quick wipe-down with a detail spray or waterless wash can be a great option, otherwise a proper wash is always recommended.
4. Use a High Quality Detail Spray
Not everyone wants to wash their vehicle every weekend, and we totally understand! To help keep your PPF in top shape and maintain longevity, a high quality detail spray can be a great addition to your routine.
Why It’s Important:
Keeping your paint and Clear Bra free of dirt, grime, and acidic contaminants is vital if you want them to last a long time. Although PPF does a great job of protecting your paint, it's still important to maintain it as well. Complete negligence of care can absolutely result in premature failure.
A high quality detail spray will help to remove contaminants between washes, and can help condition the PPF so it stays soft and supple years after installation. Without proper care, the Clear Bra can get more brittle with age, reducing it's effectiveness of absorbing impacts from road debris.
Pro Tip:
Always be sure to use a soft microfiber towel, and spray the detail spray into the towel, not directly onto your car. Many detail sprays contain glossifiers which look great when applied to paint and PPF, but can add unwanted gloss to matte or satin trims. It's always best to spray into the towel, and then apply to just the areas you want!
5. Be Gentle Around the Edges
This is one of the easiest ways to decrease your Clear Bra's life is to be too rough around the edges. Be extra gentle around the edges of your PPF, especially during washing and drying.
Why It’s Important:
The edges of the film are where it’s most vulnerable to lifting. While the adhesive is strong, scrubbing too hard, using high-pressure water, or accidentally rubbing it the wrong way can cause the film to peel or bubble at the edges.
Pro Tip:
When washing or drying, be mindful of the seams and edges. Avoid using strong pressure on these areas, and wipe from the center of the film towards the edges. When using a pressure washer, it's important to always keep the nozzle a minimum of 3 feet away from the edges of your PPF, and try to spray from the opposite direction of the edge whenever possible. Spraying too close and directly into the edge is a surefire way to cause lifting.
6. Park in the Shade Whenever Possible
We all know that parking in the shade helps keep your car cooler, but did you know it can also prolong the life of your Clear Bra? It's honestly just great practice for the longevity of your car in general. UV rays can damage your paint, dashboard, leather and fabric, trim and more over time without window tint.
Why It’s Important:
UV light is often overlooked when it comes to car care, and living in Colorado, we're all exposed to a lot of UV. It's so important to protect your car, whether it has PPF, ceramic coating, or not from the damaging rays of the sun. Even with full coverage Clear Bra, which will protect your paint from UV damage, it's still best to also protect it from the sun.
Although our standard PPF has a lifetime warranty against cracking and yellowing, why chance it? As with any product, the better you treat it, the better it will treat you.
Pro Tip:
Whenever possible, park your car in shaded areas or in a garage. If you live in a place where shade is hard to come by, consider investing in a car cover to provide extra protection from the sun when your car is parked outside for extended periods.
7. Perform Routine Inspections
It’s easy to forget about your Clear Bra once it’s installed, it really is pretty much invisible, but doing regular inspections can help you catch any small issues before they become bigger problems.
Why It’s Important:
Checking your PPF regularly allows you to spot any signs of damage, such as bubbling, lifting, or discoloration. These issues can often be fixed easily if caught early, but if left unchecked, they could lead to more extensive (and expensive) repairs.
After the seven day period after your installation where Clear Bra is most vulnerable, it's extremely difficult to cause any issues, but not impossible. Extreme weather, time saving runs through automatic car washes, and exceptionally large road debris all have a chance to damage your clear bra. Catching minor damage like nicks or lifting areas early allows us to make a quick repair to get you back on the road.
Leaving these small damages alone can cause dirt and moisture to build up, which works its way further into the film which may require a full panel replacement rather than a quick rinse and stick.
Pro Tip:
We recommend doing a quick inspection every time you wash your car. Pay close attention to high-impact areas like the front bumper, hood, and side mirrors, and do a quick check over any edges to be sure they are stuck down. If you notice any problems, contact your us right away to get them addressed before they get worse.
One of our clients who drives to Denver and back from the Springs for work does a thorough inspection after each week of driving. On one occasion, he noticed a small area lifting on his front bumper from a rock that got kicked up on the highway. He brought it in, and we were able to fix it on the spot before it became a larger issue. It’s little things like this that help your PPF last as long as possible.
Conclusion
Maintaining your Clear Bra isn’t hard, but it does take a bit of attention to detail. By following these 7 easy tips, you can keep your car looking great and ensure that your investment in paint protection film continues to protect your vehicle for years to come. From using the right cleaners and soaps to being gentle around the edges and parking in the shade, these small steps can make a big difference in the longevity and performance of your paint protection film.
Remember, if you notice any issues with your PPF—whether it’s bubbling, peeling, or fading—don’t wait! Contact us to take a look and address the problem before it gets worse. If you’re in need of maintenance or repair, feel free to give us a call. We’re here to help keep your car looking its absolute best!