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Front and Rear Bumper guards

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by DiamonD12, Jul 10, 2012.

  1. DiamonD12

    DiamonD12 New Member

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    I just bought the 20102 Gen III Prius IV. I do not have a proper garage and have to rely on street (parallel) parking. And I am sure I will get hit from the front or the back soon. I am looking to get some transparent protections so that my bumpers don't get hit directly. I looked at clearmask 3M products and some of them were quite pricey. Before I buy something I will like to know what the rest of the Prius community suggest? Please fill me in.

    Thanks
     
  2. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Clear bra material really isn't going to protect your car from people who "touch park" their cars--it's meant to help minimize rock chips, etc.
     
  3. DiamonD12

    DiamonD12 New Member

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    So what do you suggest?
     
  4. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Honestly, nothing.

    I've seen some cars that have a rubber blanket hanging off the rear bumper (with names like Bumper Protector, etc.), which to me look worse than any dings caused by touch parking idiots.
     
  5. zeoth

    zeoth Junior Member

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    Actually you will be "protected" from touch parkers except for those with license plate screws that will cut into the material. Depending on how hard they hit, the 3M may or may not stop it.

    Now generally I would say put the 3M in the front since the chances of rear license plate screws damaging the front is next to 0%. However for the rear, they have a flip guard that gets attached inside the trunk. What you do is flip it out after you park.... kind of like this: Bumper Badger, bumper guard, bumper protector, rear bumper guard, rear bumper protector, bumperbadger, bumperbadger.com, bumper protection
     
  6. tsair

    tsair Junior Member

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    Honestly, just rent a garage space.
     
  7. NargilFenris

    NargilFenris Junior Member

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    That might not be an option with where he lives. If it was I'm sure he would have mentioned it.
     
    akh1685 likes this.
  8. Mikawa

    Mikawa Junior Member

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    This I did! Best thirty bucks/mo I've thought of. I got my car out of a downhill and congested street parking, I get shaded & gated parking, plus I get a locked storage cabinet thrown in for free. All for $1/day!
     
  9. mad-dog-one

    mad-dog-one Prius Enthusiast

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    I doubt that scuff preventing film will save your bumper guard from careless parker's, although it can prevent or minimize stone chips on the front bumper. The problem with parking incidents is that the foam beneath the plastic bumper guard crushes easily, causing splits in the, less flexible, paint. If the force is sufficient, it tears in the plastic cover as the foam beneath is compressed. This type of damage is a characteristic of lightweight, impact absorbing, platic bumper covers and isn't peculiar to the Prius.
     
  10. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Fabricate a pair of steel tubing bumper guards with spikes welded onto them. Go ahead and bump my car now a-holes.

    Mike [​IMG]
     
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  11. nomoreow

    nomoreow Junior Member

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    Try this front, from "BumpShox" about $30+ bucks shipped from their site.
    [​IMG]
    And for the Rear protection, try this from "Pacer Performance 25-535 Black Bumper Protector Pad Kit" About $12 bucks (I'm using this for my 2012 Mini Van)
    Come in BLACK or SILVER or paint your own color with 3M stick-on backing from Amazon.com
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Or like Mike Said above "With Spikes" frame (made from Die-Cast) from local Walmarts $10 bucks.
    Sure will leave some holes on the other car.
    [​IMG]
     
  12. krazypriuslady

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    Humphrey Balboa likes this.
  13. BubbleDogs

    BubbleDogs Junior Member

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    My first winter with Prius V, and I drove too far ahead to hit the snow ploughed on the front of the the parking slot. And I noticed this "scratch." I was shocked! The snow must have been frozen or there might have been stones or rocks. Any suggestions what I should do? Thanks!
     

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  14. WE0H

    WE0H Senior Member

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    Find a good shop and vinyl wrap that part. It will be cheaper than paint and can be replaced the next time you oops :(

    Mike
     
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