Hi all. New poster here. My apologies if this has been covered elsewhere, but my search didn't yield results. I am anticipating the arrival of my first Prius ('08 Touring, magnetic grey) in December. I'm considering using Ultrashield (or similar) paint protection. What areas of your Prius gets damaged by stones? Does the front bumper chip easily? Do those of you with mud flaps still see rocker panel damage? Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Cheers, Geoff
Welcome Prim2 to PriusChat, Most people have issues with stone chips on the bonnet I believe. The bumper seems to cope a little better but the bonnet seems to be at the right height and hardness to cause the paint to chip when hit with a stone. The front bumper most likely is damaged by stones also but they don't seem as obvious. That's my experience, although I have only had my car a short time, I bought it used and had the bonnet painted to repair chips by the dealer before I handed the money over. My car had 60,000km on it when I bought it and no real evidence of stone damage to the rocker panels. I have since fitted genuine mudflaps as added insurance.
Thanks. Did you find many stone chips high on the bonnet, or just the lower areas? The templates provide two options for area of bonnet coverage and I would prefer to just cover the lower area if it takes the brunt.
I haven't noticed any issues with the bumper really, mine are all on the hood and I've had to touch-up several areas there. I will definately do a clear bra up the entire hood on my next Prius.
Welcome to Prius Chat from me also. It's funny you asked this question because last weekend when a few of us gathered in kentucky at Jud's house before our factory tour we we all discussing this and looking at each others cars. There were about 9 Pri there and all seemed to just get bugs on the bumper but all the stone chips were on the hood toward the front. We were all trying to figure out why LOL it was a pretty weird discussion. But I'm getting one of those clear bras to just put on the hood, the bumper seems to be protected with the squished bugs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paprius4030 @ Oct 13 2007, 12:15 PM) [snapback]525156[/snapback]</div> I'll have some squished bugs installed on the bumper ASAP. I may have to import them here in the Great White North for my December delivery!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prim2 @ Oct 13 2007, 12:27 PM) [snapback]525162[/snapback]</div> I'm happy to send you all you need if you cover shipping costs! :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Oct 13 2007, 06:21 AM) [snapback]525068[/snapback]</div> Interesting. I have found 6 separate hits on the front bumper, but so far (knock on wood) nothing on the bonnet/hood. Whether the hits were from rocks or industrial strength bugs, is hard to tell, since there was minimal debris left on the bumper (which would tend to argue for a rock hit).
Besides the water based paint, the Prii's hood is aluminum, and the rounded down forward area of the hood is ideally angled to take more than just a glancing blow, and more often than other metal areas of the car. The combination is a lethal mix for even small rocks to produce paint chips. Funny, doing a touch-up and wax job are on my to-do list today. [attachmentid=11989] To the right of the can is one of the more nasty chips. It is in the little fold area just above the headlight.
I installed the clear bra material on my new Prius myself. I got it from Extreme City on Ebay. At the price for a complete kit ($40), it was worth a gamble. It turned out very nice. Marv
I have 68K on my '05 Tidelands Prius. I have the clear bra installed on the front bumper, front half of the hood. mirror backs, door edges and a small piece under the gas door. Has done a terrific job of protecting the car and I strongly recommend it. If doingit again I would cover more of the hood though.
