Hi all - I'm preparing to install a clear bra film on my new 4Runner and want to be sure I get all the areas where chips are prone to happening - but I don't want to over-do it either.

So far I will cover the front edge of the hood, the front surface of the bumper, the mirrors, the leading edges of the front flares, the grille, ...

What about the rear flares, the A-pillars, and the leading edge of the roof?

On a related note - does Toyota sell touch-up paint to match the silver bumper accents on the Sport (which I assume is the same color as the silver luggage rack on the '05 Sports)?



Yeah, my first new car, and I plan to be obsessive about it....

It really depends on where you live. In places.. like where I am.. they put sand and gravel on the roads in the winter time.

Watch out for clear bras is that they tend to yellow over time.. and yellowish bras on a white body = not sexy at all.

Are you kidding about strong paint?? My paint on my 03 which was built in Japan SUCKS it's so badly chipped already I'm actually thinking of getting rid of the truck. I can't believe how crappy the paint is on it and I don't think I'd buy another Toyota just because of that. I've had other veichles that are 10years old and not even had a 1/5 of the chips I already have on this thing. Other than that I love the truck but it's pretty embarrasing driving a $55,000 CDN truck around with a $10 paint job !!

that's only if the clear bra has a UV filter on it. If it doesn't it should yellow. I know at least the 3M claims their stuff to not yellow over time since it doesn't have the UV protective filter, and will also therefore, have the same paint fade when removed.

so from the sounds of it, it seems like you're having a full nose wrap done. my recommendation, try that first if you're sure thats what you want done. then if you find that you're getting chips in areas like the a-pillars, top of the windshield, etc, then have it done.

i dunno, i usually recommend getting a standard package at first, which covers hood, fenders, mirrors if the mirrors are painted, and then see if you need a full nose wrap or anything else done. but if you want it done, go for it.

Not one chip on mine, 10K miles.

Koz

Interesting thread. My 2002 Tundra is covered with paint chips on the front. They started almost day one - looks like someone fired a shotgun at the front now.

The 4Runner paint seems to be holding up much better. Perhaps its the clearcoat is stronger or the paint underneath is a different formulation but I have no paint chips so far. Of course after a winter in Vermont I'll regret that statement.

I actually just got a nice chip yesterday, I would assume it was a rock. It hit on the drivers side right above the windshield. Oh well, better than a cracked windshield i guess. Other than that my old cars hood was covered with paint chips, my 4r seems to be much better.

2003 w/ 46K miles, Galactic Grey - I have chips in my paint! They started immediately.....They hood shield has helped a lot but I still have chips on the pillars, roof, and even some inside the door panels. The paint has even peeled/flaked off on one of my side mirrors (dime size area).
This is one thing I have noticed about Toyota (and Honda), their paints/clear coats do not hold up as well as my GM trucks. But this is a trade-off of course....the rest of the truck should last much longer.

Not sure.....A guy I work with has an 04' Galactic Grey and he has chips.
I think a lot will depend on regional conditions and the type of roads/trails you drive on. But in comparison to the same area and driving conditions, this paint just seem weaker than previous vehicles I have owned. I was always told GM used more layers of clear coat??.....And it did seem like light trail scratches buffed out better than they do on my 4Runner.

White is the only color on the T4R that does NOT have chip resistant paint. My rock chips are on the front bumper (usually in line with the headlights rather than the middle of the bumper), the leading edge of the hood, on the mirrors, and the pillar right next to the mirror for the windshield. I also have quite a few just behind the front wheels on the lower most painted trim piece. This is because I took off my running boards. That area is now a direct target. With the running boards on, it was protected. I also have some chips on the same pannel but just in front of the rear wheels. The last place I have chips is behind the rear wheels on the side of the bumper cover --- right where mud gets splattered if you go through a puddle.

White is easially retouched though. I don't even notice my own touchups since I spend a lot of time on them.

I got rockblocker on the hood, grill, and fenders around the headlights. I also have a hood deflector.

I did not get it on the bumper because:

It won't rust if chipped.

It won't protect from idiots parallel parking.

I want an ARB. The cost of clear film and a push bar is more than an ARB bumper.


I have a chip on my a-pillar and on a door. I probably have a few more, just have not noticed. It is the nature of the roads around here.

The hood deflector has saved my windshield from a stone more than once.

I plan to keep my truck a long time. It will have many other blemishes at 250k in addition to paint chips. Heck, after I installed my lift, I got a nice scratch when the rear gate hit my garage door. :arrow:

I have to agree with you, the paint seems to hold up pretty well compared to other vehicles I've owned. Funny thing is, I don't have any chips on the hood, mirrors, or front bumper. But, I do have a paint chip on one of the rear fender flares and the back bumper... the two places that I least expected to get rock chips.

Can you give any tips on what you did? I have a few chips on my white, and am debating the best way to touch them up without making it look worse.