Clear Bra damage?

[LorbeerTLC]

I've had Chip-Guard installed at smart center Seattle when I took delivery of my smart on 11 March 2008 and I believe it protects your investment. It not only protects the "hood", but the front part of the fenders, lights, and the front area beneath the hood (by the grill, front license plate). It's also on the outer-edges of the doors to protect it from chips incase you open your door and it comes into contact with another car or a wall.
I do a lot of freeway driving and have found the front end of the smart really gets pitted. I'm pretty sure had I not had the Chip-Guard, there would be areas of missing paint (I have the metallic blue), on my front end. I have already had rock chips in my windshield and had them repaired. There are so many big trucks that carry gravel or sand that are not covered on the freeway and they leak. I haven't had any problem with the Chip-Guard and my paint and believe the cost of this protection is well worth it, especially when you live in an area that puts down gravel on the roads during wintery conditions.
Maybe it's a little expensive, but it offers peace-of-mind for me.
-my 2 cents-

-Tom L.

[Dunerunner]

LorbeerTCL..

I agree that the clear masks are a great idea for areas where roads are sanded for ice and snow, high truck transport highways, etc. I plan to tow my smart behind my motorhome and: although I have a full width rock guard installed, I know from past experiences that rocks and sand hammer the front end of the vehicle being towed.

Snake Farm has found damage to the paint under the clear bra. I was advised by my detailer to remove the vinyl bra on my 2001 beetle sport turbo as it was beginning to cause blisters in the clear coat. I took it off and left it off even while towing the bug. I hope smart pops for the new nose for Snakes smart, it only makes for good business. There are 12,000 members watching to see what smartUSA does in these situations!!

[Fredvon4]

"There are 12,000 members watching to see what smartUSA does in these situations!!"

Well not exactly smartUSA's problem or issue....

BUT!!

We are waiting to see how smart Center San Antonio cowboy's up and takes care of a customer

[Dunerunner]

Fredvon4... Thanks for reigning me in...I do get carried away. smart center San Antonio does need to step up on this one and do the right thing.

[SmartAzz]

Originally Posted by brian r

BTW, the only products to consider are the ones made with 3M film. Everything else will yellow over time or peel.

Was quite happy with Venture Shield by Venture Tape, heard lots of good things about it (and have seen it used on high end cars) before having it installed on a car. It was super clear, did not yellow over time, and lasted fine for us.

[SnakeFarm]

Originally Posted by Dunerunner

Fredvon4... Thanks for reigning me in...I do get carried away. smart center San Antonio does need to step up on this one and do the right thing.

They are not TOTALLY seperate entities. If SCSA does not respond by Monday afternoon I WILL escalate the issue to smartUSA.

Based on my experiences with being on the reservation lists of each, my prediction is that smartUSA will blow me off as well but that they will take much much longer to decide to finally give me a three month window sometime about a year for now when I can expect to be compleatly blown off.

I am keeping a timestamped log of all this so if nothing else, I will have some interesting reading material. It's about three pages long already. I just re-read it all and it's actually pretty funny. It'd be funnier if it were happening to somebody else.

[Dunerunner]

For all of us, it is happening to someone else and we're all as frustrated as you with SCSA's lack of attention on this. $178 worth of customer relations goes a long way to promoting the smart brand name. I wonder if they know how much attention this is getting? It makes me doubt my dealership and how responsive they would be should a problem arise with my car!!

[Dunerunner]

Was there ever any resolution of this issue? Did smart center San Antonio make good on new or repainted panels? Awaiting the next season of 'Snakes Clearbra Damage'!

[mike-in-sa]

Had lunch with snakefarmer last tues. ( 4-tues.) He said they made it good. Hood looked fine to me.

[Dunerunner]

I guess that means i'm reading re-runs for this season!! I'm happy for Mr. Farm and my faith in our dealerships is restored. Kudos to scSA!