Paint protection film

Anybody DIY (do it yourself) a front end clear bra? I'm thinking about it, but also afraid...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3C53mdwCYg

 

We shelled out the dough for Xpel wrap with ceramic coating and couldn't be happier! It is a breeze to clean & easy to maintain! It is expensive but an amazing material!
YouTube it. It is self healing!

 

Did you do it yourself or pay a pro? I looking to do it myself because I’m cheap

 

NO! The quality of materials used on our vehicle is only for sale to pro installers. Someone on here has a link to their custom cut stuff available to the public.
I hope you have patience. I don't & is why we paid. It was almost $5k for paint corrections, wrap (except hatch & roof) & ceramic coat all of it. Still a sound investment for a black vehicle that we plan on keeping for a long period. We are almost @ a year & we have 7k miles on her (no vacation last year).

 

*FYI*
Remember that tons of people are happy with ceramic coating alone. That can easily do done DIY & definitely helps.
Ryan

 

Most dyi ceramic(that I know of) is an awesome base coat that alone on my last runner ran through a carwash dozens of times without so much as a scratch, streak or anything. Looked new till it went elsewhere.
They will not stop rock nicks or chips like a wrap would. Wrap is cheaper to replace than paint! Yet I've never done it

 

$5000!!! I thought I was just cheap ... but now I realize I must be poor lol.

The DIY film hood, bumper, fender clear bra kit is under $300.

 

Don't get me wrong. We plan on keeping this vehicle for a long time. The wrap has a 10yr warranty and is self healing & transferable to a new owner!
We did go above and beyond but we have a black T4R & we built it into the loan. Black is a beautiful pain!

 

Anything helps. Toyota has some of the thinnest paint in the industry! Anything will help. We were going for ease of cleaning & salt removal as we live in the rust belt...

 

I started to think about this film only after I noticed at least three tiny paint chips near the front of the hood after only about 4000 miles. I nearly lost my mind then after A lot of elbow grease and compounding and polishing and waxing did nothing.

 

We got ours in before 1k miles & it was still $1k for paint corrections! It wasn't cheap but the protection is worth it!
https://youtu.be/ND4vE9vmQWE
Check it out...

 

My cheapo paint correction will be a $15 bottle of oem Toyota magnetic gray touch up paint lol

 

I have no animosity. We were fortunate enough to do the wrap.
So long as you know the paint is thin & needs protection or corrections...
Happy trails! Shall we enjoy our T4R'S,
Ryan.

 

I did my front bumper, fog light and headlights. Took me about 4-6 hrs. Take your time. Start off doing the headlights and fog lights. Once you get the hang of it, it’s gets easier. I bought pre cut expel film. Didn’t do the TRD Pro grill because it was already matte black. I posted the film for sale in case anyone was interested.

 

What is in the kit you have for sale?

 

I posted the TRD Pro Grill protective film. The film is in matte finish so it would look all shiny. It’s already pre cut with Toyota lettering cut off and lower bumper where that license plate is. I would recommend doing the protective film on any car/truck especially because where I live tons of rocks chip coming from highways. Also from previous cars, I got tired of touching up chips on paint.

 

I purchased my 2016 runner in july 2016 new. payed $400 for the clear plastic film protector. no problems. 5yr warranty . when I trade in it for another new runner I will get the most $$$ because of NO paint damage.
hood/mirrors /front bumper grill all..

 

What brand protective film did you get? If you got the front bumper, entire hood, mirrors and grill for only $400 that’s a super deal.

 

Acton Toyota in Massachusetts. person that did the work at the dealership was a woman.. still looking good . 400 bucks. don't know what clear plastic they used IMO 3M product ..
took about 3hrs to properly install it no air bubbles still sticking on the paint.. no dings ..
snow country ..

when I get another new runner same dealership , I will have this done again.

 

I have the hood scheduled to do in about 2 weeks. I bought my 4Runner in January new. It's $375 for hood, mirrors and fender tips. If I would have done the bumper it would have been another $562. From my research 3m is the best and is a little more expensive. Hood is worth it. Not sure bumper is though. We have a Highlander and it has chips in the hood but the bumper hasn't had an issue.

 

they did the whole front end $400.. bumper hood mirrors .. also the fender fronts ..
call up another dealership .
I find this odd that they over charge you and delay this work .
depends on your location of the cost to do any work on vehicles..

 

Yeah shits expensive!! I would end up just wrapping my truck in a cool color if the paint ever got ugly enough

 

My wife wanted her first NEW beautiful black beast.
Honestly, the MBM is beautiful and I feel it was a sound investment for as long as we plan on keeping it!
You cannot vinyl wrap a vehicle with paint problems. It will not allow the wrap to adhere properly.
It was expensive but it is 8mil thick & 10 year transferable warranty... Plus, it makes mud just roll off & very easy to maintain. We also get no rock chips!
Not saying it is needed. It just fit our needs perfectly and we are very happy.
Ryan.

 

Do you guys detail your vehicle prior to getting protective film installed OR do the installers clean/detail everything up prior to install??

 

Yes! Wash, clay bar, spray wax prior to protective film installed.

 

For us there was a paint correction specialist & then they wrap installer. I will repost some of the other cars in their shop to show what they do...
Exotic Detail
Bennington NE
They do it all & kill it. Great work & service.


The Fisker is before paint corrections and detail!

 

I swear by XPEL PPF and plan on getting that and ceramic coating on my 24 4Runner. Installed it on my Camry and RAV4 and maintenance is a breeze and your vehicle always looks showroom new.