Weird black strips on front of car bonnets - why?

[Talksteer]

Has anyone else noticed that a growing minority of cars appear to be sporting black plastic strips across the front of their bonnets?

Simple question, why?

I imagine they stop stone chips which make the car look tatty, at the expense of the car looking crap all the time and doubtless making the cars aerodynamics slightly worse.

[miniman]

When you say black strip, do you mean vinyl or a car bra?

[Ray Singh]

Like this?



If so they are for stone stone chips on the car. However, there is a crowd that like to use these to make the car look of european origin - or euro look.

[tyranical]

If you mean bonnet bra's, its a euro thing.

People in Belgium etc seem to think it looks good and some clowns have decided its a good idea here too, You tend to see them mostly on VAG cars.

[Rusty Arches]

[the_smalls]

Ray Singh said:

Like this?



If so they are for stone stone chips on the car. However, there is a crowd that like to use these to make the car look of european origin - or euro look.

That is utterly gash.

[Engineer1]

I've heard they can lead to one of two problems, they protect the paint at the front so well the colour doesn't fade as much as the rest of the car, or they sand the bonnet as dirt gets stuck under the bra.

[grosserbaby]

Have these people no taste, or maybe they haven't heard of the clear film options.

I wonder if they are looking to get those fancy (sic) faux leather minicab seat covers next!!

[davepoth]

I first saw these about 8 years ago in the states. I thought to myself "wow, that looks well st. I'm glad we don't have those back home"...

[inman999]

What are the 2 sticky up bits for.

BTW they look utter ste.

[JohneeBoy]

Isn't it supposed to protect the car from stone chips? Never understood why if so - why would you want to preserve the look of a car for the next owner? A classic or something special, yes, but a Gold TDI, no!

[carreauchompeur]

JohneeBoy said:

Isn't it supposed to protect the car from stone chips? Never understood why if so - why would you want to preserve the look of a car for the next owner? A classic or something special, yes, but a Gold TDI, no!

Quite, I simply don't get it. What is the point of covering pristine paint from stone chips when it just makes it look...ste?

[TheEnd]

If you ask someone with one, they'll tell you it is to protect the front from stonechips, so when you ask what they have done with the rest of it, as they come in different sections to cover the bumper and often wing corners too, they'll revert to doing it because it was on a Dutch Bora in OMGWTFVAG mag last month

[OnTheOverrun]

Rusty Arches said:

And fashion sheep follow the flock.

[RoastJoint]

Protection from stone chips.

The lips will ensure the bra is forced down at speed.

[JK55]

You would think that those people who use these things would at least take the time and trouble to get one which is the same colour as their car!

[Stedman]

I might get one if i got for a blat on the autbahn.

Seriously.

[Mr2Mike]

inman999 said:

What are the 2 sticky up bits for.

BTW they look utter ste.

They are Toblerone holders in case you get the munchies.

[Robb F]

A symbol of the 'euro' look.

Look awful, and defeat their own purpose by looking awful. And they are well known for damaging the paint they're protecting.

Essentially they are simply another thing for the euro look 'in crowd' to high five and spank each other about how much cooler they are than everyone else.

[North West Tom]

Yup, they're pointlessly ste.