alrite guys im debating on getting just a bra for my hood from lebra, or hood reflecter bug shield which also sits on the hood, help me out please i got a 98 ek with sir bumpers wanna get some opinions. thanks

 

bug reflector!

 

brassiere ftw

 

If you are going for function, id say go le bra since they are more common/easy to find.

If you are going for looks, get the genuine oem honda with the "civic" on it. Might be a tad bit harder to find but its worth it.
Looks really nice and is different from most of the othe civics out there.

 

Either will work - but they both look like ****.

 

Keep it waxed and wash regularly.

 

just get it washed like once every 2 weeks and get it waxed

 

Get a clear bra and you should be good to go. The best thing since sliced bread imo.

 

+1 3M clear bra, a bit expensive but absolutely invisible when installed on the car, the best protection you can get

 

bra

 

The local zeibart does that diamond coating stuff and you could have them spray that on in the normal bra area. My dad had it done to the whole car when he bought it new and he got a 2 year warranty. So anytime he gets a scrape or a chip he takes it to them and they buff it out for free. Also if the chip is to deep they'll redo the diamond coat.

If your paint isn't perfect it might not be worth it though. If you all ready have chips or fading it would just seal in the imperfections.

 

3M Clear bra. Best money you'll probably ever spend.

 

The OEM bras are still very easy to find. Honda still carries them. Please note that if you get the full nose mask, there will not be separate pieces for the fenders. The part that covers the fenders on a full nose mask also covers the bumper.

I think the half nose mask I bought cost about $70 or so.

 

I would go with the deflector. The problems with bras are when they get wet. Bad idea to leave a wet bra on a car. They have their uses for long trips I guess.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Syndacate &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Either will work - but they both look like ****.</TD></TR></TABLE>
x2

 

I say OEM for the win:



The bug guards kinda look weird to me, and they will not protect as much of the car. The LeBra aftermarket ones look really shitty too. You can get a stock bra for about $47 + shipping from here:

http://www.handa-accessories.com/civic98.html

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by old man neri &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I would go with the deflector. The problems with bras are when they get wet. Bad idea to leave a wet bra on a car. They have their uses for long trips I guess.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Eran has one on his car (OEM half mask) and it doesn't really get wet underneath the mask. I wouldn't have thought that'd be what happens, but I've seen it. And it rains all the time here.

The bug deflectors are just plain ugly though. They belong on full size pickups, not sport compacts (that aren't AWD).

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NOFX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Eran has one on his car (OEM half mask) and it doesn't really get wet underneath the mask. I wouldn't have thought that'd be what happens, but I've seen it. And it rains all the time here.

The bug deflectors are just plain ugly though. They belong on full size pickups, not sport compacts (that aren't AWD).</TD></TR></TABLE>

I use mine more for function seeing as it is a winter car. Keeps the salt rocks and sand from destroying the hood. Besides it came with the car. To each his own really. It's just I have of issues that can arise if you keep a wet bra on.

Here is a pic or two for reference as to what it looks like on my car.



And a top view (sorry, I couldn't find a better pic)




Cheers!


Modified by old man neri at 5:07 AM 1/8/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by old man neri &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I use mine more for function seeing as it is a winter car. Keeps the salt rocks and sand from destroying the hood. Besides it came with the car. To each his own really. It's just I have of issues that can arise if you keep a wet bra on.</TD></TR></TABLE>
What kind of problems have you had with a wet mask?

I think maybe it's that Eran's mask is so tight that water really doesn't get under it. It can rain all day and when you take it off the car it's still dry underneath.

Looks like you only have part of the mask btw. The complete half nose mask looks like the one Eran posted (with the side fender pieces).

Is yours stock?

Keeping a mask on a car long term (even dry) and never removing it or cleaning under and around it is bad of course. Keep the car clean and with a good coat of wax all the time.

As far as it being functional, both are functional to different degrees. Some people would prefer a part be attractive and functional at the same time though.

DEFLECTOR (AFTERMARKET)
- Protects leading edge of hood and several inches to several feet of the hood. Might also help keep rocks from hitting windshield if they come from close enough on the ground.
- Ugly (imo).
- Has a tendency to become dull and no longer see through. Must be polished with proper products.
- Bigger pain to take on and off to clean underneath (yes, there is a bit where you won't be able to clean as well - at least all the cars I've cleaned with them you can't wash an inch or two of the front of the hood).
- Might not fit as well.
- Might have manufacturer name on product.

HALF MASK (OEM)
- Protects leading edge of hood and first 8 inches to a foot of hood and front of fenders.
- Looks better (imo).
- Less of a pain to take on and off to clean underneath.
- Fits perfectly.
- Easy to clean and care for.
- Says "CIVIC" on top ('99-'00 Si mask says "SI").

FULL MASK (OEM)
- Protects leading edge of hood and first 8 inches to a foot of hood and front of fenders plus entire front bumper.
- Looks better (imo).
- Less of a pain to take on and off to clean underneath.
- Fits perfectly.
- Easy to clean and care for.
- Says "CIVIC" on top ('99-'00 Si mask says "SI").

HALF MASK (AFTERMARKET)
- Protects leading edge of hood and first 6 inches to a foot of hood and possibly front of fenders.
- Less of a pain to take on and off to clean underneath. Some might be easier to install and remove than others.
- Easy to clean and care for.
- Some might be easier to install and remove than others.
- Fitment may not be optimal. Might begin to sag and stretch with age.

FULL MASK (AFTERMARKET)
- Protects leading edge of hood and first 6 inches to a foot of hood and possibly front of fenders. Also protects entire front bumper.
- Less of a pain to take on and off to clean underneath. Some might be easier to install and remove than others.
- Easy to clean and care for.
- Fitment may not be optimal. Might begin to sag and stretch with age.


Modified by NOFX at 10:13 PM 1/7/2008

 

Just to clarify I have never had any personal experience with a wet mask. I have just heard that if you leave a wet one on there all the time it can start to 'rot' the paint. Of course, I heard this from porsche guys and they are generally fanatical about their cars.

Mine is a hard plastic one. I don't think the soft ones would ever suit my needs. When salt water would get in there the water would eventually evaporate but the salt would stay behind. This would leave a fine abrasive behind and I would imagine would start sanding the paint off with the slight movements of the mask. Washing the car up here in the winter is not always easy to do.

Anyways, just my personal thoughts. Like I said before. To each his own and good luck in your decision.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by old man neri &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Just to clarify I have never had any personal experience with a wet mask. I have just heard that if you leave a wet one on there all the time it can start to 'rot' the paint. Of course, I heard this from porsche guys and they are generally fanatical about their cars.

Mine is a hard plastic one. I don't think the soft ones would ever suit my needs. When salt water would get in there the water would eventually evaporate but the salt would stay behind. This would leave a fine abrasive behind and I would imagine would start sanding the paint off with the slight movements of the mask. Washing the car up here in the winter is not always easy to do.

Anyways, just my personal thoughts. Like I said before. To each his own and good luck in your decision.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Do you have a mask or a deflector? I can't even tell in the tiny photos you posted.

If so, there are no soft bug deflectors. Only hard ones. I've never heard of a hard nose mask.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NOFX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Do you have a mask or a deflector? I can't even tell in the tiny photos you posted.

If so, there are no soft bug deflectors. Only hard ones. I've never heard of a hard nose mask.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's a hard deflector. Solid plastic.

The pics look big to me, do they look small to you? I think I am using a poor hosting site. Oh well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by old man neri &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's a hard deflector. Solid plastic.

The pics look big to me, do they look small to you? I think I am using a poor hosting site. Oh well.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Here's what your post looks like to me (and I imagine others).



Try hosting your images here: http://www.imageshack.us

If the image is large to start out with, use something like Paint to resize it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NOFX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
What kind of problems have you had with a wet mask?

I think maybe it's that Eran's mask is so tight that water really doesn't get under it. It can rain all day and when you take it off the car it's still dry underneath.

Looks like you only have part of the mask btw. The complete half nose mask looks like the one Eran posted (with the side fender pieces).

Is yours stock?

Keeping a mask on a car long term (even dry) and never removing it or cleaning under and around it is bad of course. Keep the car clean and with a good coat of wax all the time.

As far as it being functional, both are functional to different degrees. Some people would prefer a part be attractive and functional at the same time though.

DEFLECTOR (AFTERMARKET)
- Protects leading edge of hood and several inches to several feet of the hood. Might also help keep rocks from hitting windshield if they come from close enough on the ground.
- Ugly (imo).
- Has a tendency to become dull and no longer see through. Must be polished with proper products.
- Bigger pain to take on and off to clean underneath (yes, there is a bit where you won't be able to clean as well - at least all the cars I've cleaned with them you can't wash an inch or two of the front of the hood).
- Might not fit as well.
- Might have manufacturer name on product.

HALF MASK (OEM)
- Protects leading edge of hood and first 8 inches to a foot of hood and front of fenders.
- Looks better (imo).
- Less of a pain to take on and off to clean underneath.
- Fits perfectly.
- Easy to clean and care for.
- Says "CIVIC" on top ('99-'00 Si mask says "SI").

FULL MASK (OEM)
- Protects leading edge of hood and first 8 inches to a foot of hood and front of fenders plus entire front bumper.
- Looks better (imo).
- Less of a pain to take on and off to clean underneath.
- Fits perfectly.
- Easy to clean and care for.
- Says "CIVIC" on top ('99-'00 Si mask says "SI").

HALF MASK (AFTERMARKET)
- Protects leading edge of hood and first 6 inches to a foot of hood and possibly front of fenders.
- Less of a pain to take on and off to clean underneath. Some might be easier to install and remove than others.
- Easy to clean and care for.
- Some might be easier to install and remove than others.
- Fitment may not be optimal. Might begin to sag and stretch with age.

FULL MASK (AFTERMARKET)
- Protects leading edge of hood and first 6 inches to a foot of hood and possibly front of fenders. Also protects entire front bumper.
- Less of a pain to take on and off to clean underneath. Some might be easier to install and remove than others.
- Easy to clean and care for.
- Fitment may not be optimal. Might begin to sag and stretch with age.


Modified by NOFX at 10:13 PM 1/7/2008</TD></TR></TABLE>

I didn't know there was so much info/tech on bras.

Car bras, I mean.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by NOFX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Here's what your post looks like to me (and I imagine others).

If the image is large to start out with, use something like Paint to resize it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Fixed/edited. If you wouldn't mind, tell me if it works.

Thanks and cheers!