Front Bumper: Acrylic Crack Protection

I was thinking spray it with plasti-dip. Multiple layers, maybe matte-black. Just speculation though, no personal experience. Too, even if it takes a hit that cracks it, it won't show, and a little fresh plasti-dip, good as new. FIY, plasti-dip can be pealed off later.

Is it relatively easy to separate that acrylic piece, to facilitate spraying without masking? Or no? FWIW overspray can be removed, it's not as tenacious as paint.

I'm on my best behaviour btw, won't say what I really think of these sorry works of fragile artwork masquerading as bumpers these days. Oops...

 

I haven't had a crack, I did put some paint protection film on mine, but I don't think that'll stop a crack, it will reduce the chance of rock chips though...

 

I like the @Mendel Leisk's idea of using plastidip. There was another thread here in which a guy was going to use the plastidip to repair his cracked acrylic piece, but we never heard the final report.

Now, as far as doing that as a preventive measure, I don't know anything about the durability of the paint. It is good that it can be peeled off easily if need to be.

Oh, AFAIK, the clear acrylic piece (indicated by red arrow in the diagram) can be separated, but to do so would likely to require taking off entire grille sub-assembly piece (parts labeled "53101" in the diagram). And if you are replacing the acrylic piece, you have to purchase entire sub-assembly (MSRP $550 and ~$380 online price + shipping + tax).

 

Many have used plastidip on wheels. It seems to last 2 to 3 years before needing reapplication.

Another option instead of the clear film is a colored vinyl one. I used black with carbon fiber texture to cover up the chrome bits and grill block on the Sonic. Like the clear film, it may not prevent an actual crack for an impact, but you won't see it afterwards.

 

A careless roadrunner in Texas cracked mine back in May. I was doing about 70 mph when it flew across my path. It was a pretty big thud. Blood & feathers everywhere!! The crack is very hard to see, so I have not bothered doing anything about it since there are other blemishes more obvious and an unscathed car is more of a source of unnecessary stress than it's worth.

 

There has got to be a Wile E Coyote joke in there somewhere.

 

Perhaps Toyota has those acrylic grills made by Acme. Or not, since it did kill the roadrunner. At least I assume it could not have survived.

 

I've thought ACME, Amazon, hmm, more than once...

 

It seems you get the individual bumper pieces now.

FRONT BUMPER & BUMPER STAY. Toyota RAV4 | Cobb County Toyota, Kennesaw GA

 

This is it?

Grille Assembly part number: 53101-47041

Seems to run around $375 US.

 

Seems to be,

Looks like my link is going to the Rav4.

 

They don't sell just the acrylic part which is indicated by the red arrow in my comment #4. If they do at less price, I may consider replacing mine.

 

You could mask. Again, the plasti-dip is more benign than paint. But still, I would mask thoroughly.

 

Yep, that was me. Haven't reported back because life got in the way so severely (the tales I could tell right now would make for a tragic blues song) that I haven't had a chance to do anything about it yet! I do plan to hit it with Plastidip as soon as I can. As was mentioned, Plastidip is easy and completely reversible. Good solution. The only thing to watch out for is that you can't cover the front logo, since that's where the radar is.

 

This is my very first post but I have been lurking quite a while. Just wanted to say that I got the idea for the plasti dip from this thread and wanted to mention that it worked out great! I’m very pleased with the protection it gives. Someone hit me in a parking lot and cracked the acrylic piece. The plasti dip completely covers it and now gives it the ultimate protection.

 

The zones I've flagged are beyond the acrylic piece. You didn't plasti-dip them also, or you did? Asking 'cus it looks a very good match.

 

Good job. However, you didn't really protect it. In your case, you just covered it up to hide the blemish. Now, I really wonder if the Plasti-dip has protection ability, that is if you plasti-dip before cracking would it prevent cracking in the future?