More than one person with experience with whom I've spoken has recommended against putting such a cover on the front end, whether a vanagon or other vehicle.  Seems that unless it is removed regularly, all sorts of debris collects there.  Leaves, sand, other materials can't be that great on the finish.  Of course, it may be that the typical users of car bras are also the folks who wash their cars really often, unlike me.  But multiple people have told me that they've had problems or known others who've had problems.

BTW, San Antonio isn't that dry a climate, relative to the U.S. generally -- pretty close to average.  However, I'm sure it is drier than coastal Oregon.  Yuma, now that's a dry place.  DMc

---- Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
> One concern I have about Bras is the paint getting stained underneath it
> from when the bra gets wet.
> I suspect that a higher quality one would be better about this than a cheap
> on.
>
> You're in a dry climate so not much of an issue I imagine, but one of my
> vans ..
> ( rare 83 5-speed Sunroof Diesel Vanagon , for sale ) ....has a big stain on
> the noise, from just that ....leaving a wet bra on it ,
> Maybe months or years at a time, pretty sure ...and it's taking me quite a
> while to get that stain off there.
>
> something to consider. Maybe keep it on in summer only.
> Scott
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Michael Sullivan" <sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2010 6:22 AM
> Subject: Bra Recs Please
>
>
> > Looking at getting a bra for 91 GL.  Got a few road chips, but don't plan
> > to
> > paint yet.  I thought I saw one at Go Westy for $95, but shows $125 now.
> > Are there any other sources that Volks have used? Thanks.
> > Michael in San Antonio
> > 91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'
> > 73 Beetle

--
David McNeely