First a few rock dings on the bumper & hood, now it's a thousand!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Les Gas @ Jun 11 2007, 05:16 PM) [snapback]459723[/snapback]</div>

I havent had an issues yet and I have already logged close to 7000 miles on mine, but I learned years ago with my Talon that in the spring and summer as the orange cones come out to increase following distances on the highway because so much debris and gravel get spread on the highway and it doesnt take much for tires to kick it up. Also in winter time when the salt has been recently spread.
I havent ever had alot of luck with buffing except on light surface scratches on my previous cars. If your little nicks are more than just a surface blemish it does call for new paint (can see metal rather then white) at least on the hood.

 

Sometimes I think my Prius has an "attracting force field" around it. I've been hit by rocks, lumber, pieces of metal, and once a tire-iron flipped into the air by another car (that tore out a the Prius’ fog light). And yes, the entire front end is pockmarked with dozens, if not hundreds of little chips, dings and scuffs.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have installed a protective bra on the car before I moved it off the dealer's lot.

But, I don't think all of this road debris damage is any fault of the Prius, its design, or its aerodynamic shape. Its just testimony to the number of drivers, leaving all kinds of detritus in their wake; the number of delivery vehicles not caring if their loads are covered; and the minimal maintenance (specifically, sweeping) done to our highways and freeways.

This constant rain of debris makes me wonder if I should cancel my order for the Tesla Roadster. (I’m just dreaming...).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Les Gas @ Jun 11 2007, 01:16 PM) [snapback]459723[/snapback]</div>

This problem receives extensive consideration here---see what you can find by searching one or more of the "bra" threads.

Yes, it IS almost 100% because of the shape (slope)---but not the height---of the car. And yes, it seems to many of us that the paint IS too thin, especially for the beating it takes up front.

I've had four Priuses (currently two) and have had vinyl bras for all of 'em.

If you get a vinyl bra now, you can at least cover up your present dings, without repainting/buffing, indefinitely. You could wait to fix the damage when you dispose of the car, and no one will know the difference between now and then.

If you don't want to deal with a vinyl bra, and opt for a clear bra film, you'll want to refinish the paint first, of course.

Some of us maintain the bra is the single highest gain/lowest cost improvement you can make on a new Prius. For $130...?

You'd be silly to trade in your car due just to the damage you've incurred. At worst, you can have your front end repainted for a few hundred dollars---again, now or later.

Many highways have their own unique "pebble quotients". Driving around 75 just makes the damage more intense.

With the vinyl bra you'll have no further damage---but you do need to take the bra off every few months to clean it (I do it every few washings) by brushing out grit, and you should apply a coat of wax under the bra. Small potatoes compared to the potential accumulated damage.

 

The paint is sub standard. I have 700 miles on my black prius and there are all kinds of scratches on the entire car. I have hardley been anywhere, much less on any bad roads. I have about 40 highway miles.


I have owned 3 black cars and this is the only one that shows white primer under the paint on tiny scratches. The other 2 cars looked good as new at 4 years and eight years old.


The paint is one huge disappointment. Toyoto needs to deal with this issue. A car that can last so long, should have paint to match!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Les Gas @ Jun 11 2007, 05:52 PM) [snapback]459747[/snapback]</div>

I think a good detailer may be able to buff the majority of those out. You now have me thinking that it would be an extremely good idea to invest in a bra.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Les Gas @ Jun 11 2007, 02:52 PM) [snapback]459747[/snapback]</div>

I just bought a bra (would you believe from CoastalETech, and it came today) just for that reason. It's not so much to protect it. The damage is already done. It's more to hide it. I'm not going to spend another $1000 on the bumber for cosmetic reasons.

Dave M.

 

Les Gas, I'm picking up the scratches on the sides, no real damage on the bumper and hood (so I'm probably due). I feel your pain. I've heard this is environmentally friendly paint so it doesn't wear as well. IMO I prefer the durability of old paint.

 

Man, I feel your pain. I barely have 4000 miles, and I have SCRATCHES everywhere! They mysteriously appear. ARGH! The crappest paint job ever.

 

I wandered by the Body Shop at the dealership last time I was in and asked what they would charge to repaint the hood.

The guy said: "Don't do it until 5 minutes before you sell it. It's pointless"

I tend to agree.

 

I had the venture shield clear bra installed on my Pri as soon as I took delivery. It is guaranteed for as long as I own the car. It looks great and my car looks like I just drove it off the lot.

 

My Prius replaced a Mini Cooper. It too is low to the ground and a lot of owners put on the 3M clear. I did not and it had a lot of chips in the paint and the bonnet stripes when I traded it in.
I don't have this problem with the Prius and I don't have it protected either. I think the difference is in my driving now. I used to tailgate because I was driving very aggressively and frankly I probably deserved every chip I got. I am so much nicer in the Prius and I'm rewarded with no chips, I hope it stays that way.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prudence @ Jun 12 2007, 05:37 PM) [snapback]460439[/snapback]</div>

Drafting and tailgating aren't the only causes. I try to keep the AAA recommended minimum distance and far enough from a truck to see the mirrors. I don't even take mine out in the worst weather. Maybe there is a creature named "The Scratch Fairy". Do other current (2206-2207) cars have the same chip & scratch problems?

 

I used to work for a paint manufacturer and saw that the black paint for prius is not of good quality, the color is dull compared to the black honda civic. I got the grey metallic instead. Havent had a chip on my prius, i only have the hood deflector, and i just drove 2000 km in the country with gravel, I observed it do collect bugs in the side mirror and i still get a splat on the windshield even with the bug deflector. Im now leaning to put in the clear bra, just wondering if it will fit with the hood deflector.

 

The prius is a cheapo commuter car. Look at the hood, close it and go drive...

if it ever gets to the place where the rust eats through the hood and starts causing drag, get a junkyard replacement hood off some car that died an early death for other reasons and keep going.

If you are into fine automobiles then get something higher end... Ford Freestar or something... :lol:

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daronspicher @ Jun 13 2007, 01:54 PM) [snapback]461017[/snapback]</div>

The hood is aluminum.