I took my first long road trip last week, about 600 miles, mainly on an interstate highway. I loved the way the car handled and performed except: There were several sizable chips in the paint on the hood. The design of the car really exposes the hood to flying stones and cinders. I used Toyota touch up paint and a mild rubbing compound in an attempt to repair the damage, but I long ago discovered that one can only do a mediocre job with touch up paint. Perhaps if you were a skilled body man/woman you would do better than I did, but my work seems about average to what I’ve observed over the years. With this said, what do you recommend to protect the hood and front of the car? Or does one just learn to live with this? There is a 3M Stone Guard product available, but it is very expensive. The full front protection package is over $800, and the hood and mirror package still comes in at way over $400. Is a standard bra recommended, and if so, where does one find them, and approximately how much do they cost? All suggestions will be very welcome. Alan 2005 Tideland Pearl, Option Package #6
I have accumulated a number of such chips in 70k miles. I also have trouble filling the pits well with the brush included with the touchup paint. I do better with a toothpick or a stiff wire. I think it will help prevent rust in the long term. But, if you look very closely it seems the bottom half of hood is mostly covered with aqua ice opalescent zits. Wait, you new guys have alminum hoods - never mind about rust. DAS, and Tochatihu with minor complexion issues
Previously seen and discussed on PriusChat. Chip-Mender touch-up paint pens make repairing chips and small scratches quick and easy. http://www.chipmender.com/
DAS you have to do the "50cent 2year" plan on 50 cents a day for 2 years and get the hood repainted every 2 years. Almost any good body shop will repaint the hood for under $400 just drive a hard bargin and tell them you have only $365 to spend I'm sure any of them will do it for that.
Based on the beating that the hood of my '02 took, I sprung for a full frontal ClearBra for my 2004. I don't know where you live, but check out http://www.clearbraoregon.com. They can help you find an installer near you who will charge significantly less than the $800 you mentioned.
Thank you very much everyone. I've ordered a bra (for the car) and I've ordered the Chip Mender. This is a great forum. Alan
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(alcor @ Feb 26 2005, 06:39 PM) [snapback]67635[/snapback]</div> Anyone know how these bras wear on the car? What happens if debris gets caught under the bra? Does it work on the body like sandpaper?
One has to be very careful with car bras. Dirt and grit between the paint finish and backside of the bra can indeed effect the paint finish in an adverse way. Also, when it gets wet, it will effect the paint. I'm not a big fan of the bra. ANY Bra!
I bought the clear bra plastic protection kit off ebay - the cheaper $40 version. I think is a little thinner than the 3m. Includes the hood, bumper, mirrors. Installation was OK with a blow dryer. So far about 8k miles and no chips, no problems. Someone is selling the 3M version now for $160 on ebay.
