Bra installation

[firstbird05]

I purchased a front mask (bra) from Thunderbird Concepts and, while I think I'm fairly intelligent, just wondering if anyone has pictures of their installation that might help.

[5bird7]

Re: Bra installation

Read thru this thread:
http://www.thunderbirdnest.com/forum...ad.php?t=11894
There's some photos there to help you along

[steelblue5505]

Re: Bra installation

The cover goes on easier if you let it warm up some. here in the Pacific Northwest during the winter I bring mine into the house for 10-15 minutes. This gives the material a little extra 'give' when pulling it across the front. I start by hanging the cover with the two elastic straps from the slot and the rubber covered post near the headlight along the open hood water run off track.
With the cover hanging I then start cliping the the cover along the fender edge, its easy to see where it should go due to the side marker light cut out. Once one side is done I go to the other side and do the same.
Then hook the center clip under the hood release. Then do all the clips around the grill.
I do not have my front plate on the car so I do not have the cover cut out for the plate, but I believe the cover is made with a seam to go around the front plate enabling you to cut that portion of the cover away.

Hope this helps. My cover is on now and I would be happy to take some photos for you if you need them. PM me an email address that you would like the photos sent to.

[THHNDR]

Re: Bra installation

Don't know about the factory bra, but the one from LaBra on their maintaince page states not to use any protective spray. They state that it will clog it's pours and prevent it from breathing and will cause mildewing against the paint should the bra remain on for any length of time.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Bra installation

There is no mention of that clogging problem with the one from Ford, BUT that does make sense and GOOD to know.

[birdfan]

Re: Bra installation

I just picked up a Ford front cover (bra) from the dealer yesterday and have read all the posts about installation (some good pictures from Dot for the hook placement on another post), but I have a question I didn't see detailed anywhere else.

I have a front license plate so need to remove the piece in the middle. The Ford instructions are pretty pathetic, being only pictures instead of any text, so it is not really clear how to remove the piece for the plate. It seems to indicate you just have to cut and remove the blue stitching (threads) and that whole middle piece will come out, instead of actually taking the scissors to the vinyl. Has anyone else done this and does just removing that blue stitching do it?

[Black Bird]

Re: Bra installation

John

I have installed several of these on cars, THe quickest and easiest way for me is to just take scissors and cut the vinyl cutting about an 1/8" from the cloth piping the goes all the way around the license area. Go slowly and do not get any closer to the piping.
Now if you failed Scissor Cutting 101 in kindergarten you may want to get wifey to cut for you. Bunny Lou

[blue731]

Re: Bra installation

I'm not a big fan of car bras. Besides the issue with mildew, and paint fading unevenly, you really need to keep a check on he bra buffeting against the paint job and chaffing the paint in spots. I don't have a clear bra, but would probably go that route over a vinyl system. Just keep a close check on it and make adjustments when necessary.

[steelblue5505]

Re: Bra installation

My opinion is just the opposite. I would rather use the a vinyl bra than to have permanent clear piece that shows a dirt line and or a wax line when viewed up close.

During the 5 years that I have been using the vinyl bra sold by Ford I have never experienced wind buff marks or mildew. That said I must tell you that I only put the front end cover on during road trips. In and around town I do not use it.

I do believe uneven paint fade, is a possibility if the bra is on all the time.

[Red T-Bird]

Re: Bra installation

I am a firm believer in the vinyl bra on long trips. Just returned from Death Valley and put over 1100 miles on the bird. It went through rain, dust, gravel roads, mud, and bugs. Got home and took the bra off and the front of the car looks new. Wish I could say the same about the undercarriage, but it did clean up well after much work.

[VELOCEBYRD]

Re: Bra installation

I purchased a front mask (bra) from Thunderbird Concepts and, while I think I'm fairly intelligent, just wondering if anyone has pictures of their installation that might help.

I was always better taking them off thean putting them on.

Chuck

[birdfan]

Re: Bra installation

Thanks for all the advice.

Bunny Lou, you are right on the mark - when it comes to close cutting with scissors Sue has more coordination and does a much better job.

I definitely intend to do as Mike suggested. I bought this only for trips and will be taking it off for normal around town driving. I looked at all the chips on the front of my other cars and decided I didn't want this car to end up like them.

[blue731]

Re: Bra installation

Thanks for all the advice.

Bunny Lou, you are right on the mark - when it comes to close cutting with scissors Sue has more coordination and does a much better job.

I definitely intend to do as Mike suggested. I bought this only for trips and will be taking it off for normal around town driving. I looked at all the chips on the front of my other cars and decided I didn't want this car to end up like them.

For long trips, with careful attention, you should probably have no issues.

[Black Bird]

Re: Bra installation

I purchased a front mask (bra) from Thunderbird Concepts and, while I think I'm fairly intelligent, just wondering if anyone has pictures of their installation that might help.

The OEM Bras from Ford are of a stretch material so if you let it set in the sun for a while and warm up before trying to install it, it will have more give and stretch to it. Also always start out with attaching one side at the top of fender, then position and slip the license plate cutout on next, then attach just the top on the other top fender. Once that all is in place correctly start at the highest point on the wheel well clips and attach them by the tires. Sometimes it is easier if you turn your wheels outward and you can get your hand in there easier to attach. Next do the other side wheel well the same way. Finally pull down and attach the clips under the front of car below the grill. THe second piece for the hood is quite obvious so will not go into that description. First time is always the hardest. Once you have the bra on, let it set in the sun on the car to mold to the car properly.
One last thought, before using the Bra always use a wax or the McQuires
detailer on the hood portion and front portion that is covered with the Bra.
The slicker the part under the Bra, the less chance that scratches from dirt will deveop. Try to keep the underside of the Bra as clean as possible,
Sometimes I will clean it with a mild soap and water, or will use a cleaning brush to take dirt and any rocks and bugs out. I always keep the outside of the Bra clean with F21 by Turtle wax. The slicker it is, the easier the bugs come off.
Words of Wisdom from Bunny LouHa ha

[birdfan]

Re: Bra installation

Thanks for that detailed instruction Lou, I know it will help. Those are the type of steps that used to be in instructions, but now they have degraded to just those vague pictures. There is always a routine installing anything, and it sure looks like you have figured out the correct sequence of the clips.

There is no question that wax will go on the car first, that is good advice.