Oh... what a Bumper Bummer...

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swingshiftworker @ Aug 24 2007, 11:49 PM) [snapback]501880[/snapback]</div>

Swingshiftworker,

Curious, why didn't you use an 8 foot section to cover the full length of the rear bumper?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Aug 25 2007, 12:47 AM) [snapback]501915[/snapback]</div>

It would have covered my HOV stickers, but, I don't think I would have used a full length, anyway, because I don't really don't like the full length look.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 24 2007, 11:35 PM) [snapback]501895[/snapback]</div>

No note, because there was no damage to the other car -- I didn't back up THAT hard! <_<

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Jul 11 2007, 04:41 AM) [snapback]476677[/snapback]</div>

I like what you have done re bumper guards- what do you think abount putting on two strips instead of just the one. I'm in NYC also

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(indytrailmike @ Sep 4 2007, 10:04 PM) [snapback]507070[/snapback]</div>

Hi Mike,

I'm guessing that you're talking about the rear bumper.

I too have thought about putting on two strips. Ultimately, I concluded that using two strips (whether at different heights to double the surface area covered, or one on top of another to double the thickness) would protect more, but would look way too odd for my tastes.

I think that if you install the rear bumper strip where I installed it, i.e., right above/touching the crease line that runs the length of the rear bumper, then you will have covered the sweet spot of the bumper, and this will protect against most, but not all, typical parallel parking bumper scratches and dings. For those scratches and dings that it doesn't protect against (of which I got my first one the other day), I use touch-up paint. I think this combination of the one bumper strip and touch-up paint is the best combination of looks and protection. The bumper strip also serves to trick or distract the eye away from the scratches and dings that it didn't protect against.

BTW, if you install the bumper strips yourself I strongly recommend having a second set of eyes stand back 10 feet to make sure that you are installing the strip in a straight line with no deformation of the bumper strip. If you look at my own installation, you will notice that it is a little wavy.

Because you live nearby, I will be glad to help you install the strips if you want. I can also lend you my anvil type cutting shears. Just PM me or email me directly at [email protected].

BTW, what color is your Prius?

 

I think the added bumper guards looks terrific! And thanks to zang who posted the blue Prius... that's my car color and I was wondering how it would look with the contrasting black! Nice work!

 

My two cents...I went out this wknd to install the side guards (bought through priuschat) and the bumperguard strips on front and back. Installed the side strips beautifully and started on the bumper strips but decided there was going to be no way for me to make a clean, angled cut without the shears or a miter saw. So I've temporarily at least given up on that until I am re-united with my miter saw, presently in storage. So my advice is buy the shears unless you have a miter saw.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(emailcurt @ Sep 5 2007, 03:16 PM) [snapback]507450[/snapback]</div>

I suspect you may have to buy the shears because it's difficult to mark the angle and cut exactly unless the bumperstrip is on the bumper.

The shears sold by bumperdefender.com and others are simple "anvil" type garden pruning shears. It has one cutting edge on top which closes onto a flat bottom (hence the "anvil"), as opposed to normal scissors or shears which are called "bypass" shears and which have cutting edges on top and bottom that "bypass" each other when you close them.

If you don't already have these anvil type pruning shears in your tool shed, you can buy them at garden stores or home stores like Home Depot. In fact I think Home Depot sells the exact same one that bumperdefender.com sells, except that the Home Depot one has a brand name (Fiskars) stamped on it.

 

anyone got a bumper defender colour chart
their site navigation is pants :blink:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prius2go @ Sep 5 2007, 05:21 PM) [snapback]507511[/snapback]</div>

I don't think they publish a color chart. You have to guess from the text color descriptions when you ask for your 3 free samples. What color is your car? I might be able to help you because bumperdefender.com is located in Nanuet, which is a suburb of New York City.

EDIT: I see now that bumperdefender.com no longer gives away 3 free color samples. They used to give 4 free samples, then changed it to 3, and now have changed it to $2 for an unspecified number of samples (they say that they'll send you an unspecified number of possible color matches). Wonder why they do this. They should just post a color chart on their website and then let people order samples.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Sep 5 2007, 10:48 AM) [snapback]507291[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Boo @ Sep 5 2007, 10:48 AM) [snapback]507291[/snapback]</div>

thanks for quick reply, I'll take your advise re using one strip. I dont like what two strips would look like. I'm really in Park Slope, Brooklyn. aka "no park slope. We both have the same color -Magnetic Grey". email [email protected]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(indytrailmike @ Sep 5 2007, 09:54 PM) [snapback]507692[/snapback]</div>

Mike,

FYI, I ordered and installed the color "Dark Grey". However, after I installed them I understand from another New Yorker that BumperDefender.com came out with a color that is supposed to be an identical or near identical color match to our Magnetic Gray called "Flint Mica Grey". I think you should ask for a sample of the Flint Mica Grey. Or just trust that other New Yorker and order the bumper strips in Flint Mica Grey.

Also, fyi, the sizes to order are two 3.5' strips for the front, and one 8' strip for the rear.

Finally, again I'd be more than happy to go to your place to either drop off the cutting shears and/or help you install the strips. I live in Stuyvesant Town in Manhattan, and have no problem going to Park Slope (I used to go there at least once a week during summers to play ball in Prospect Park or catch the free shows at the Prospect Park Bandshell). Just email me directly at [email protected] if you'd like any help from me.

 

Angel - Not sure if you'll see this but I'm curious if you ended up putting the black body side molding or Seaside Pearl? I want to do both and have a seaside - the black looks good on the bumpers but I'm not sure how it will look on the sides

 

Too bad the other drivers dont have respect for others property, or are lacking basic parking skills. Maybe you should put spikes on your bumpers so they poke holes in the other cars tha hit you. Or some small shaped charges that will blow away a small part of the other car before it can damage yours.

 

Cosmetically, this is without question an ideal solution. I have millennium silver; anyone know what the correct match is from bumperdefender.com? I assume there's no colour match issue with the sides, but if anyone is better informed...

Many thanks!

 

I wonder if running a single strip on the front bumper behind the license plate instead of using two 3.5' strips will prevent the plate mount causing indentations when bumped. Could anyone with a little experience installing the bumperdefender strips comment on this?

Many thanks