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It doesn’t have the most appealing name, especially for car dudes. But a car bra—or mask, if you prefer—can prevent a piece of flying gravel or road debris from making a ding in your otherwise pristine paint.
Billy Colgan, the founder of an auto upholstery business in Burbank, Calif., is credited as the inventor of the car bra. As the legend goes, in 1961, three German aerospace engineers asked Colgan for a way to protect their Porsches. The rest is car bra history, which continues 60 years later.
These days, eBay sells a wide selection of Colgan car and truck bras. It’s your choice: either wear paint chips as badges of honor or avoid those dings with a car bra.
Paint Chip Protection
A padded vinyl car bra is designed to strap to the front of your car. It is held in place by clips and straps so you can still get into the engine compartment without restriction.
Most car bras attach with clips and hooks.
You can leave the car bra on as a permanent addition to your car—or use it only when going on a long road trip. Some owners of classic vehicles will strap one on when heading to a car show or other special event. It allows you to avoid bugs and grime while in transit. When you arrive at the venue, peel off the bra to reveal a clean exterior to judges and spectators.
Get a Good Fit
Some bras are advertised as “one size fits all.” We recommend skipping those options. Instead, buy a car bra designed for your specific make and model.
The attachment points and air duct openings vary from year to year. So, choosing an exact match for the year will ensure a snug fit and an open air path to the grille/radiator.
eBay carries a wide selection like this rare custom bra for a classic BMW 3 Series.
This car bra attaches along the wheel wells, so it has some side protection as well.
Even when you select a car bra custom-made for your year/make/model, some portion of your car will remain exposed and vulnerable to rocks and pebbles.
After all, a car bar is intended to protect the front end of your vehicle—not the entire surface. That’s just the way it is.
Nonetheless, your car bra should not be loose. If your car bra is flapping in the wind, then it could be rubbing against the car’s surface and potentially causing paint damage. That would defeat its purpose.
Washing with a Car Bra
A common concern is that vinyl coverings might scratch the paint. It’s true that road grime can gather around the edges of the bra and then slide under the bra after a rain shower. If this is your concern, then periodically aim a heavy stream of water along the edge of the bra to flush out the grime. A good wash, allowing soapy water to gush under the bar, will remove the potential for those scratches.
Since a bra is relatively easy to remove, it’s a cinch to lift it off and then wash your car. After the cleaning session, leave the car and the car bra in the sun. Make sure everything is completely dry before putting it back on.
Color Choices
Some vinyl car bras try match the factory paint color.
You might be tempted to get fancy by selecting a colored vinyl that tries to match your paint color. Be warned: it’s hard to color-match a piece of vinyl and a shiny piece of metal. A slight mismatch can look unsightly. We recommend the traditional black car bra.
If you don’t like the looks of a car bra, there’s another option: paint protective film. The thin clear film places a transparent shield against paint chips.
See: Why Paint Protection Film Beats Car Wax.
But it’s hard to beat the convenience, ease, and low cost of an old-school car bra. It’s a proven way to keep the front of a car clean and chip-free. And considering the hassle of a chip repair, it’s cheap insurance.
