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CLEARTASTIC

PROTECT YOUR PAINT WITHOUT MUDFLAPS

In the northern states, where sand is routinely dumped on the road in the winter, the C6 will kick this up and marr the finish on the posterior parts of the wheel wells. This "sandblasting", in a few years, will permanently marr the areas behind the wheels, and you'll wish you would have done something to protect her.

There are mostly three types of protection available for this problem:

  1. Mudflaps - not something most guys want to see on their $60,000 sportscar.
  2. Adhesive protective film (Xpel , Clearbraa)
  3. Non-adhesive protection (Cleartastic).

There are certainly many guys who are quite happy with their "Clearbraa" or "Xpel" results. If put on by an experienced professional, the results can be almost undetectable. However the potential disadvantages of adhesive protection products found by some Corvette guys include:

  1. Bubbles underneath, or scratching of the paint - results of ineperienced installers.
  2. Huge cost : expect $600 for coverage of the hood, lights, front bumper. That's about twice what it costs to repaint the front bumper when the time comes.
  3. Professional installation required. Don't even think about doing it yourself. You'll get horrible results.
  4. yellowing, cracking, and pitting from stone impacts - years down the road.
  5. Adhesive will make it difficult to remove tiny cracked pieces in the future when it yellows.
  6. 6. Visible white line on the hood where wax collects along the clear bra's margin.

The adhesive products willl generally give you a very good result if done professionally, and will offer a three-year warrantee against yellowing, peeling, or cracking. The problem will come when the film is 10 years old and has to be removed. Some guys report no problems - the old film peels off in one sheet. Other guys have it braeak into tiny pieces, requiring hours of work.

These problems are not present if you go with Cleartastic. This vinyl film has NO adhesive at all, and adheres to your paint after simple application using water and a squeegie.

CLEARTASTIC

ADHESIVE PRODUCTS

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES
1. No adhesive - easier install and uninstall when wanted 1. Can be dislodged by stong hose jet 1.Lifetime adhesion
2. Cost - $70 for entire kit. 2. Cost : $600 - $1000 for hood, lights, rockers, wheel areas
3. Easy removal - takes 1 minute for entire car -for car show etc. 3.Once it's on, it's on for good.
4. Easy removal 10 years down the road - if yellowed, faded, or cracked no problem taking it off and getting a new kit ! Just peel it off any time. 4. Can be difficult to remove if cracked and split.
5. Wax line at edge - just peel up the edge and wipe the wax off 5. Cannot peel up to remove wax line.
Cleartastic Banner

My opinion - with either product line, you'll be happy.

I just prefer to know that I can remove it any time I want, and reapply whenever I want. I'll be a lifelong Cleartastic fan.

CLEARTASTIC - MY THOUGHTS

Appearance10 - it's invisible
Adherence9*
Convenience51 minute installation first time.
Instructions10 - fantastic, leaves nothing unsaid.
Overallthumbs

* Yes, after 1 year of use, I lost one piece. That remains a mystery since it occurred on a day I only drove 20 mph in light rain. I've now had continuous use of this product for 2 years and not lost another piece despite taking a 1000 mile, 80 mph trip to New Hampshire in pouring rain, and despite all other dry and wet use.

You CAN dislodge a piece of Cleartastic if you spray the edge directly with a good jet from your garden hose. But if that happens when washing, just press it back on with a squeegie. No problem.

Below are some pictures of Cleartastic installed. truly invisible unless you get up close and I show you where it is. The yellow boxes demonstrate the areas of protection.

bra and cleartastic cleartastic areas
Front with cleartastic Front protection area
Can you see the Cleartastic? Cleartastic protection areas outlined
Rear with cleartastic Rear protection area