16RedRunner
New member
I just don't see how a piece of plastic on the hood can help.
Is anyone's front end peppered with rock chips?
- Thread starter Hans Moleman
- Start date
I just don't see how a piece of plastic on the hood can help.
Does anyone have any experience with this or a similar product?
Dr. ColorChip Road Rash Paint Chip Repair Kit - Dr. ColorChip: Automotive Paint Chip Repair Systems
Dr. ColorChip Road Rash Paint Chip Repair Kit - Dr. ColorChip: Automotive Paint Chip Repair Systems
mteolus
New member
There was some other post in another topic that said it works. Perhaps it will add color to the chip but no way it would fill in the chip where you couldn't see it up close.
Edison_chen
New member
I invested in paint protection film when I bought my car and it looks like doing a great job preventing chips on the front end.
Hans Moleman
New member
I've seen it. TBH I don't think it looks that good. Usually the chip still stands out because either the color doesn't match that good or the filled in chip is still below the level of the original paint. But if you want to take care a lot of chips at once, this is the easiest solution.
I've had better results with the factory touch up paint and layering it with a 1.0mm microbrush. If the surrounding chip has any high spots, you have to level it by scraping the chip with a razor.
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Hans Moleman
New member
The reputable shops here want like $2000 for the front end. While I was debating about it, I got several more new chips.
Friggin Idiot
Senior Member
The reputable shops here want like $2000 for the front end. While I was debating about it, I got several more new chips.
Think I paid $650 and that included tinting the front windows.
Auto Distinctions Tulsa OK
Ooooh just saw you're in Cali... better double that price!
i have used dr color chip on other vehicles, it works really well although it doesn't always make the mark flush if it's deep enough but color match has been good in my experience so it all blends in pretty well.
i made the mistake of using the dealership paint pen for a rock chip on my tailgate and regret not using dr color chip
in regards to road rash, when it gets bad enough i file an insurance claim ($50 deductible).
Jbellah
New member
Was that full hood , bumper and mirrors?
Friggin Idiot
Senior Member
Nope, those were already covered by the $350 Toyota kit. So it was only the front plastic bumper, headlights, and fog lights.
Hans Moleman
New member
I'm kind of appalled that a lot people have taken theirs off roading and being covered in mud but have zero chips or scratches after being washed.
But mine only has 4000 miles and looks like a 15 year old truck on the front.
I'm contemplating a buying a 3M pre-cut paint protection film and installing it myself after filling in all of the rock chips. The whole kit that covers the bumper, partial hood, and partial fender for $275.
But mine only has 4000 miles and looks like a 15 year old truck on the front.
I'm contemplating a buying a 3M pre-cut paint protection film and installing it myself after filling in all of the rock chips. The whole kit that covers the bumper, partial hood, and partial fender for $275.
Thrasher_S
New member
A buddy of mine asked essentially the exact same question of me a while back. He wanted to know why my rig (then an Xterra) had so few rock chips when his, with about half the miles on it, had a ton of chips, a cracked windshield, and he'd replaced cracked headlights twice. I didn't have an answer for him, until I rode shotgun with him.... he tailgated the whole time, badly enough it made me flinch a couple times.
Some of us drive on roads with lots of debris, I'm sure, so rock damage is just going to happen. The rest of us might benefit from examining our driving habits.
Some of us drive on roads with lots of debris, I'm sure, so rock damage is just going to happen. The rest of us might benefit from examining our driving habits.
Hey Hans, did you ever do this? Interested to hear how it turned out. I just hit 3K miles and already have a handful of rock chips up on the hood (and I don’t tailgate )
PaulsTrail
New member
I avoid following others closely and give trucks a wide berth, and I don't commute in the 4Runner (keeping it out of the bumper-to-bumper city traffic), so after 36,000 miles I have very few rock chips in the front.
But, I have tons of chips all over the flared-out portion of the back doors, the leading edge of the rear wheel moldings, and the lower portion of the front doors. Some chips go right through the factory protective film in those areas. My 4Runner is stock, other than BFG K02 tires which may tend to pick up and fling more gravel and road debris. I do a fair amount off-roading and driving on dirt and gravel roads, but the vast majority of my miles are on pavement. Not sure how to prevent this (other than running boards, which I don't want).
mrblah
Senior Member
It’s probably your tires, I have sliders with full top plate and that keeps my doors n fenders pristine even with wheels sticking out 1 inch outside of the wheel well.
I know u don’t want steps n sliders, but they do protect your vehicle in more ways than one (at least sliders do)
ElectroBoy
Banned
I can believe that. I have 33K miles on my 18 ORP that’s equipped with OEM running boards. No rock dings of any kind on the sides, doors or fenders even with a good amount of time on gravel and dirt roads. But the front end plastic parts have some small damage from getting peppered at high speed by road debris kicked up by traffic. Also a little bit on the leading edge of the hood. Not a whole lot, though. I cover them up with a Dr Colorchip kit. The paint color is a perfect match for my classic silver. No need to put expensive plastic paint protection condoms on my truck. If and when it gets really scarred up I’ll have those portions repainted.
Bruin1md
New member
Have been debating PPF.......
........on one hand, it's a 4runner, and it's going to get some rock chips, and gravel dings if it's driven hard and taken off road. That's to be expected.
OTOH, having a special color TRD pro makes me want to protect the vehicle more so, especially since I know it will see lots of interstate driving and will have to deal with 18 wheelers.
Even if I decide to sell the truck in 3-4 years, any prospective buyer that wants an AG TRD pro is going to appreciate a front end that isn't dinged up/chipped by rocks......or so I hope.
And if I keep it, I think I'll appreciate not having to see those dings/rock chips.
So while I would rather save the $1500 that it would take for the entire front end Xpel PPF wrap, I think it's worth it.........right?
........on one hand, it's a 4runner, and it's going to get some rock chips, and gravel dings if it's driven hard and taken off road. That's to be expected.
OTOH, having a special color TRD pro makes me want to protect the vehicle more so, especially since I know it will see lots of interstate driving and will have to deal with 18 wheelers.
Even if I decide to sell the truck in 3-4 years, any prospective buyer that wants an AG TRD pro is going to appreciate a front end that isn't dinged up/chipped by rocks......or so I hope.
And if I keep it, I think I'll appreciate not having to see those dings/rock chips.
So while I would rather save the $1500 that it would take for the entire front end Xpel PPF wrap, I think it's worth it.........right?
