2006 Clear Bra

Well, I found the place that is doing mine right now as I type by searching for '3M clear mask San Diego'. I also started calling all the Toyota dealers in my area. Only one does it, but several others mentioned the place where my car is now. I also posted here and someone PM'd me with the same place where my car is now. The one dealer that does it is a tad cheaper than the specialty place I chose, but they couldn't tell me WHEN they could do it. (I called yesterday afternoon and this morning.) After talking to several people, I decided it was more important to get it done as soon as possible and to go with the people who do it frequently.

Apparently, the installation of this product is most similar to window tinting, so you can try those types of places. I didn't have any luck with that angle because I was calling in the middle of the day on a week day. The list I had were all small operations and the guys were out doing the work.

I also had a list of sign type places from a guy who used to do this application and used to train guys to do it. He explained to me how labor-intensive it was. He offered to do it for me, if I bought the kit somewhere. Between the cost of his labor and the time waiting for the kit to arrive, I decided I wanted it done asap and by people who do it frequently.

My car is currently at a place called Modern Image and they do custom decals of all kinds for "fancy" cars...Porsches, racing cars, etc...

I called more than 15 places in order to find a whopping TWO that do this. I live in San Diego, so I was surprised not many places do this. My recommendation is to get on the phone and start asking people. Most people had no idea what I was talking about, but sometimes someone understood the concept enough to direct me to someone else and so forth.

Good luck!

 

You might reconsider running your fog lights all the time. In Oregon, it is illegal to run auxiliary lights whenever the law would require you to dim your high-beams (at night).

 

3m installers website

Just follow the above link to find an installer. Here are two I found in NH:

Berlin City Chevrolet - Certified Installer
Phone: 603-752-3700
Certified Installer(s): Darron Bainbridge and Ray Needham

Berlin, NH 03570


Seacoast VW - Certified Installer
Phone: 603-436-6900
Certified Installer(s): Josh Fields

Greenland, NH 03842

This material is not that easy to install. My installer said it took almost two years before he perfected it. He now puts in on mostly exotic cars: Ferraris, Mercedes,porsche I don't think a vinyl sign guy will be able to do a really good job. The better installers custom cut the peices instead of using kits.....Good Luck

 

Thanks! I tried a 3M link someone else posted but I must have gone to the wrong place on the site because I didn't come up with anyone near here. A friend who does dent removal gave me the number of a place in Gloucester, MA who comes up to dealerships here in NH (978-282-9905 AutoBahn or something like that) I found a place in Ayer, MA that's authorized with Armorglov.com (KTR Performance LLC 866-KTR-PERF.) The Greenland NH place might be a bit closer than Ayer. Kind of suprised there aren't more enterpreneurs offering this here in the gravel road//salt and sand capital of the world. Should that worry me?? (I grew up in San Diego, BTW.)

 

One of the reasons that there aren't more of these installers is that it is very time and labor intensive. Not to mention it takes awhile to perfect it. If you go to www.detailingdynamics.com you will find the installer who is doing mine right now. Watch the video to see what is involved, its interesting. When you do call around you may get better prices from those who install kits but trust me, they don't measure up.

 

I'll second that opinion. It IS difficult and it takes many hours.

Being an adventurous do-it-yourselfer, I bought a precut kit and struggled through it with much assistance from my wife. The smaller pieces (mirror, headlights, fenders) are no problem, the hood is difficult because of its size and bulbus nose, and the bumper is pure terror!

Six hours of struggling and it could look a lot better. I'll pay an installer to do it on my next Prius.

 

Finally got my car back from the installer today! It came out awesome!! You can't even tell that its there unless you are right on top of the car. They custom cut every part...no kits! If anyone needs a great installer in NY, My guy was awesome. even covered the entire hood in almost one peice! If you are a perfectionist don't try this yourself....

 

On a lark, I asked this very question of some installers here in the S.F. Bay Area. Where before they were quoting $400 for the material and $180 for installation, they now quote $300 for the installation alone if you bring the material. Hmmm..... New math, I guess.

 

Ok, I'm looking for a good reference here on an installer in Northern Virginia. For that matter, I'll open it up to the entire state of Virginia. So far I have been priced at $995 for the front end, and $100+labor for the rear bumper.

On the other hand, ClearTech in Christiansburg just quoted me $649 installed for the front end, and the rear bumper. I already have a trip to my alma mater scheduled for late April, and I'm thinking the new baby may just wait til then to get the protection put on. Even if I made a special trip (500 miles roundtrip) and stayed in a hotel I'd make out on the good end of the deal!!

I'd love to find a price like that closer to home and get it done sooner.

Thanks in advance

 

Just make sure you don't get a kit. Make sure they custom cut the peices. You will get much better coverage with less lines showing.

 

I hadn't heard of any 3M product wider than 24", so I was curious when you claimed one-piece hood coverage. So where's the seam in your hood? Did they do an overlap at the joint or butt the pieces together?

 

I have one small seam right underneath the toyota emblem but that one was only because of the shape of the hood. You can barely see it. I will try and post a picture after the snow melts off my hood. It is definitely just one peice though. Check out this website, it is where I got mine done...www.detailingdynamics.com
I will post pics soon

 

My installer did the complete hood & did a beautiful job. He is a 3M certified installer located in Central NJ. "The Dent Man" Reasonable price ($850) for full hood, front bumber/facia, front section of fenders, headlights, mirros, rear bumber including fold over for deck lid (to protect against damage when loading/unloading).

 

I'm sold on the hood protection. Prius is 2 weeks new and already I have pits in the hood.

Now all I need is a rcommendation for someone good in Orange County, California. I'm all ears and thanks ahead of time

 

3m installer finder website
just click to find the installers in your area

 

If you think about it your Prius is a high dollar car too, its your investment & we all know everyone wants to protect their investments!

My next one will have the treatment done.