Thanks Rod for the suggestion about the clear type bra.
I had a 1990 Nissan 300ZX twin turbo that I installed a “genuine†Nissan bra on shortly after I purchased the car new. I made sure that I had put several coats of wax on the front end before I originally installed the bra.
I don't know who manufactured the bra for Nissan but I drove the car through many winters (I kid you not) and I'm sure it saved the front end from many stone and salt chips.
I didn't take the bra off literally for several years (yeah, I know, not the best practice) until a guy came through a red light and we "accidentally" met. There were some scratches on the front bumper/fascia where the bra had ripped due to the accident. I'm sure that there would have been even more scratches if I hadn't had a bra on the car.
With the exception of the scratches from the accident, the original factory paint that the bra had covered was still in excellent condition. There were some fine granules of sand etc. that had collected under the top edges of the bra. I don’t know if the paint survived so well because of the quality of the bra, the original Nissan paint job or a smiling bra god (or ? Goddess).
Therefore, I became a big believer in the benefit of a front end nose mask.
I know that others have experienced the paint problems caused by a front end nose mask that you have described.
I just want to prevent the front end of my 2007 Sport Trac from getting sandblasted this winter from the roads, especially since the front bumper is painted to match the body.