Prius = hood chip magnet?

That's the nickname it's got around here.
Rock Magnet.

Vanity Plate:
RkMagnt

ZC1

 

Got a 3M clear bra for mine and it seems to be working.

 

I ordered a hood deflector last week, and just got an email from the company that their supplier is out of stock until late June! Ugh. Sure hope I don't get a dent in it before then. :fear:

 

Mine has a lot more road dings in the bumper than in the hood, but most of my driving is on streets not highways.

 

I notice quite a few Prius around the Mall and such, and they all have significant hood chips, some even dings, that are actually dented. I think it's a combination of the blunt leading edge of the hood, and light material.
Some kind of protection is a must.

 

In 2 years no chips or dents but more scratches than I can count on the fenders. Something crossed my bumper resulting is some scuffs and a gouge to the VentureShield but no paint damage. I have one door ding from the office parking lot.

 

In the four and one-half years my wife has been driving her Prius there have been many little paint "dings" on the bumper and the hood.

 

This is why mine has a bra.

 

The only chip I've gotten so far is on the windshield.

 

Are we talking "chips" that are only a millimeter or two across?
I.e. almost invisible unless you get right up to them?
.
The front end of the car sits fairly low, but it also helps to
back way off from the trucks..
.
_H*

 

Definitely the way to go.

 

same here oh well, thats life in the big city

 

Interesting. What do these cost, and what does it look like? I'm picturing a huge piece of plastic sitting on top of your hood.. Do you have any pics?

 

I had the dealer install mine so I would be protected from first drive. I found at least one mark on it after my 600 mile drive this weekend. Perhaps that would be a stone mark on my hood now.

I paid dealers asking price of $350 Canadian. It covers mirrors too, but I haven't looked closely at front bumper yet. Some pay around $250-$300.

Here are pics of my new Prius: http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/42188-newbies-lets-see-some-pics-23.html#post628802

No closeups of the 3m clearbra though. Try a search here. In picture #4 you might be able to see what looks like a mark on the drivers fender behind the end of the headlights. That is the transition from clearbra to paint. It almost looks like a mark on my new car, but I think/hope it's normal and not peeling off there.

So mostly it's invisible and wonderful IMO. I bought a normal bra for my 94 Stealth in 96 and used it once or twice. Normal bras are a hassle because they must be removed regularly and they can leave fade markings on the paint.


I think aerodynamic hoods, like my old Stealth or new Prius, are more susceptible to stones. I think the smoothly moving air causes stones to bounce multiple times off of the hood and leave marks all the way up. Also, reportedly, Toyota clearcoats are somewhat thin.

 

Ailu,
This is for you.

I did it myself with absolutely no experience at all.
It is reported to be a 4 out of 5 in terms of difficulty, although I would suggest you have someone who has the patience to do it

If I had the chance again, I'd definitely do it all over again myself (watching closer for dust particles).

ZC1

 

Ah, so it's a plastic film you coat over your vehicle. Ingenious. What did it cost you?

 

I didn't buy the 3M product, but another unnamed product for only $25 (?)(Precut for the entire front end) and $48 (?) for 20ft roll.
I didn't measure the product thickess, it may be .3mil or .8mil, regardless it serves as a paint protector upon which I laid a perfectly ugly Toyota bra.
(looks good to me though).
I only applied the hardest part, the bumper, since I did NOT like the looks or the visible line of the hood portion, so I cut and applied 5 inch strips instead and overlaid it with the bra.

In all fairness to the bra, I really like it's unique look and certainly it's protection.

Here's the deal on this cheap product:
Earlier I had someone else apply the actual "Clearshield" product to my mirrors and back bumper. It is superior in transparent looks to the cheap stuff I used. The Clearshield is better than 3M in my understanding since it's so smooth (no orange peel) and in transparency.
I just could not afford another $500 for the front end.

ZC1

 

Nice ZC1,
I too have a bunch of little chips. I didn't want to put a bra on it because they scratch it up too. I feel it is too late for the 3M clear bra. So i will just wax the heck out of my hood/bumper from now on. and Maybe in 3 yrs I will get it repainted so it will look as new as the day I bought it.

 

As for the arguments of :
Dude, it's gonna yellow.

This argument is muted by 1. You don't know it's gonna yellow, prove it. 2. It's under the car bra unseen, 3. It's doing it's job, protecting the paint, 4. It's very easily removed with no ill effects on paint and I can apply it again if I EVER decide to take it off.

ZC1