How to protect Prius front from rock and bug strikes?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Robert Holt, Nov 20, 2013.

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  1. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Preparing for Alaska trip and worried about bug and rock strikes en route. The alternatives seem to be plastic coating like Clear Bra, fabric covering like Le Bra, and a "grin and bear it" strategy where you just get it reprinted every few years. What other methods have you all used?
    For those who use each method, are you happy with your choice? Pros, Cons?

    I devised a wire mesh screen mounted to two tow eyelets screwed into the front towing sockets inside the bumper. Haven't tested it yet, and it would surely decrease mpg, but would a method like this work? Anyone else try this?
    image.jpg image.jpg
     
    #1 Robert Holt, Nov 20, 2013
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  2. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    There are temporary clear spray on coatings that you apply and either wash off or peal off like a big sticker depending on which type you apply. 3M makes one that is good for a year then you do it again for a fresh covering. That one is the big sticker :) I will post links as I research. Here is the first one I found.

    Dupli-Color :: Shield

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717

    Amazon.com: 3M 90000 Paint Defender Spray Film: Automotive

    That is the 3M version.

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717

    DipYourCar.com -Plasti Dip For Your Car - Glossifier Blaze Pearlizer Metalizers Pro Car Kits

    This comes in spray on and colors.

    Please keep us updated on what you ultimately use.

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    #2 WE0H, Nov 20, 2013
  3. jhinsc

    jhinsc Senior Member

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    Your screen will stop big critters and rocks/debris, but smaller one's will still get through. I think you need a finer screen mesh, but that may reduce visibility. Personally I would have protective film applied to the entire front end, including headlights.
     
    #3 jhinsc, Nov 20, 2013
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  4. CdotK

    CdotK Member

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    is this a joke? did i miss the punch line? :confused:
     
    #4 CdotK, Nov 20, 2013
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  5. Quattro

    Quattro Member

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    #5 Quattro, Nov 20, 2013
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  6. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    #6 WE0H, Nov 20, 2013
  7. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Ok, checked into the 3M blue painters tape that seems to have been used on the Audi. I would Have to be careful to get the version rated for 60 days of use rather than the 6 day version as trip across US, up to to Alaska , down to Oregon, and back across US could well take 7-8 weeks. However, That tape comes in a 2" width at 60 yards length for $15, so the price is quite reasonable. I am certain that the Effect on drag and mpg would be much less than "screen door" method.

    I wish I had $1 for each time I have heard that statement, because I would be a wealthy man and able to try even more outrageous things!

    Rally cars use small wire grids like this to protect headlights from rock damage, so the idea was to use a wire mesh screen to protect the entire front end of the Prius, which slopes up in such a manner as to be susceptible to rock and bug strikes in my opinion. The best method I could devise to mount the screen right in front of the bumper was to use the tow eyes , which are quite robust and screw into the frame behind the bumper, which is one of the few available solid attachment points available in the bumper area.

    However, if I mounted big reindeer antlers on top of each post and installed a red light underneath the Toyota emblem to create "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Prius", that would be either a joke or an avant-garde piece of performance art making some inscrutable statement.
     
    #7 Robert Holt, Nov 20, 2013
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  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Sorry, thumbs down. Just the aerodynamic impact... (and esthetics)

    While it does nothing for gravel kicked up by oncoming traffic, just hanging back, maintaining a generous following distance (especially when following an overloaded gravel truck) will help.
    I
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Nov 20, 2013
  9. Clark Grizwold

    Clark Grizwold New Member

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    I would go with the clear paint protector film made by 3M. My local tint shop installs it along with ClearPLEX which is designed to go over the windshield. They use it in NASCAR so it will probably protect a Prius ok.

    As for wrapping a garden fence around the front of your car....Dude, it looks ridiculous. Way to turn your car into a Whoop-dee.(n)
     
    #9 Clark Grizwold, Nov 20, 2013
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  10. Escapistnever

    Escapistnever New Member

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    Lol, I can imagine all the Wth looks you would get cruising down the highway with your bug fence. Maybe you can electrify it and turn it into a bug zapper.
     
    #10 Escapistnever, Nov 20, 2013
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  11. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Be careful of deer and even more so of moose :-(

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    #11 WE0H, Nov 20, 2013
  12. DtEW

    DtEW Active Member

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    If you hit something at highway speeds, will it come julienned out the other side? ;)
     
    #12 DtEW, Nov 20, 2013
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  13. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Road kill dinner ;-)

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717

    If you are running any dirt roads for sure put the film on the sides of the car including the mirrors.

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    #13 WE0H, Nov 20, 2013
  14. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I have the 3M vinyl film on Pearl S. Protects well, but larger rocks will still dent the hood (and one has). It's expensive too. To do the entire front it's around $1000. They have a large roll and call up a cutting program for whatever vehicle and coverage you want. Oh, and learn from my mistake. It was $100 more to cover the -entire- hood and front fenders. I "cheaped out" and now you can see the line where it ends. Ending at the end of the panels you can't really see it.

    The slope actually helps reduce damage. I've had rocks go off my windshield that would chip other cars. They just deflect up and over the car, hitting any tailgater. ;)

    Finally, I -think- the Alaska highway is almost fully paved now. At least that is what I have been told.
     
    #14 David Beale, Nov 20, 2013
  15. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    This contraption won't do anything, IMO. Besides it looks ridiculous.
    95% of the bugs are going to go right through it. Anything big (deer) are going to crush it and probably cause just as much or more damage to the car. The only thing it is going to effectively stop are small birds, squirels, etc. And they are rarely going to hit a car...and usually just tires... and I've never heard of them causing any car damage.
    Use one of the clear products others have mentioned of just put on a few coats of wax.

    Take this thing and send it to Carrot Top...he can use it in one of his comedy routines. It is a redneck meat slicer.

    Mike
     
    #15 3PriusMike, Nov 20, 2013
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  16. Robert Holt

    Robert Holt Senior Member

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    Well a direct tap off the High voltage side of the inverter, conveniently located nearby, would give 500+ volts or more with a step-up transformer. Ahhhh, fried bug!

    Well, if the grid is electrified, the results of a deer strike could be tasty. Ahhh, fried venison!
     
    #16 Robert Holt, Nov 20, 2013
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  17. DtEW

    DtEW Active Member

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    Well, keep the hood open, and it could very well be hobo cube steak! :D
     
    #17 DtEW, Nov 20, 2013
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  18. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Yep! That' what I always tell people. It's all paved except where it is not paved! Every year there is a lot of winter road ice heaving, so a lot of areas of 20 feet or so of repair areas. They also are always making the road better not as many corners. So always a lot of construction going on! In other words it's all paved except where it is not! :p Robert Holt, Enjoy Your trip You will have a great time.:D
     
    #18 retired4999, Nov 20, 2013
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  19. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Get a few video cameras to mount on the car and post a cool video when you return ;-)

    Mike

    Mobile on my SGH-i717
     
    #19 WE0H, Nov 20, 2013
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  20. B. Roberts

    B. Roberts Hypah Milah! Ayuh.

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    Fantastic bit of engineering! Looks like your Prius is ready for a bush country safari. Awesome. You could add smaller mesh screen to stop most bugs and small rocks.

    When are you heading out on this trip? Why not rent a more off road friendly type vehicle. A Prius, loaded for a trip like this will be flying pretty low to the ground, unless you've already fashioned some robust skid plates for the underside!!
     
    #20 B. Roberts, Nov 21, 2013
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