Rock chip protection behind rear wheels?

[Khus]

Hey all. Today I was giving my new Titanium SR5 the Meguiar's NXT (can't recommend that wax highly enough--fantastic stuff) and noticed what looked like a billion rock chips on the bottom of the rear bumper faring, behind the rear wheels/mudflaps.

I know this is just the way of things, but it was enough that I want to do something NOW to protect it. The 4R only has 1,000 miles on it and there were at least a half-dozen chips that went through the paint and numerous more in the clearcoat. I don't want to wait a day longer than I must to get something on it.

Any suggestions? I'm open to either clear tapes/films or even black body cladding, but not too noticeable. I found this stuff but I'm a little leery when it says "the tape may be safely removed on most OEM factory paints." Most? I don't want this stuff to fail and then see it peeling off, taking some Toyota Titanium paint with it.

I've got to do something about the front end rock protection too.

 

[alpha]

clear bra for the rear rocker panels..

 

[Jacobzky]

funny how your post just came in time, and i actually applied it to my 4R. I applied it on my front lower bumper and the front side of the hood. a good alternative to those expensive 3M clear bras.

i have a hard time applying it on curves so i only have it on the flat sides of the front bumper.

 

[Jacobzky]

as far as peeling off, it wont.

 

[Khus]

Jacobzky, you mean you applied the stuff I linked above? If so, it's good to know if it's a good option.

I just found a place that sells the 3M Clear Bra in bulk instead of those huge vehicle kits-- at this website. If the car parts stores in Iowa City don't have it, I'll order a roll and custom cut what I want.

 

[alpha]

Jacobzky, you mean you applied the stuff I linked above? If so, it's good to know if it's a good option.

I just found a place that sells the 3M Clear Bra in bulk instead of those huge vehicle kits-- at this website. If the car parts stores in Iowa City don't have it, I'll order a roll and custom cut what I want.

just remember, its not easy to install clear bra. i'd recommend having a pro do it if you don't have experience with it.

 

[pipspeak]

as far as peeling off, it wont.

The only situation I would be careful is if you're applying it over some previously-chipped areas of bumper paint. The paint doesn't adhere as well to plastic compared to metal/primer and I've seen instances where plastic film (in the form of bumper and parking permit stickers) will peel off some of the paint around old chips.

 

[Jacobzky]

Jacobzky, you mean you applied the stuff I linked above? If so, it's good to know if it's a good option.

I just found a place that sells the 3M Clear Bra in bulk instead of those huge vehicle kits-- at this website. If the car parts stores in Iowa City don't have it, I'll order a roll and custom cut what I want.

yes i have, the initial apply dosnt look good until it gets set. once it sets, as if it's not there, blends pretty good. i have a few little bubbles i can deal with. other than that you wont notice it thats its there until you look or know where to look that its there.

i bought a few rolls of that trimbrite, belive me, your first rool would be for trial and error.

 

[Jacobzky]

i could probably shrink those tiny bubbles with a heat gun, but i dont ahve a ehat gun.

 

[Khus]

Thanks for the info, folks. I think I'll order some of the 3M rolls and give it a try. I'll post a review whenever I get it taken care of.

 

[ironadrenaline]

i could probably shrink those tiny bubbles with a heat gun, but i dont ahve a ehat gun.

try a hair dryer, is has the exact same effect

 

[alpha]

Thanks for the info, folks. I think I'll order some of the 3M rolls and give it a try. I'll post a review whenever I get it taken care of.

do remember, if you buy the 3M clear bra, that you have to stretch the material for it to lay down properly. you have to use the proper adhesive activation formula, proper mix.. gotta work quickly, can't let it get too try. oh, and if you get bubbles, don't touch them. probably won't shrink with a heat gun either.. maybe. but not usually. air doesn't like to just go away.