Bra or 3M protective film ?

All our vehicles have multiple stone chips at the front and hood.. my new 4Runner just had it's first two stone chips yesterday when we drove to Sedona..

Anyone on here using protection at all? I know it's supposed to be for offroading, but I'm not yet using it offroad ..

 

I have Xpel installed on the front of my Golf R and I would say it's a requirement for a new vehicle. This stuff is way different than the old film that would yellow for years past. 10 year warranty and it's saved my front end from many rock chips. This will be the first "mod" I do when I take delivery of my Venture in a couple weeks.

 

Get Expel protective film on the bumper and headlights/fog lights. I bought the film itself and installed it myself. Only rock chips I have now are on my windshield lol

 

@MatthewMateo, @TRDPro916 - are they pre cut? Do you mind giving a link for the product? I am looking at InvisibleMask and they are pre-cut -
https://www.invisiblemask.com/imask/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=150948

 

Don't get a bra! We had one on our car a number of years ago and went through a dust/sand storm. It got underneath the bra and by the time we got home had nicely sanded the hood. Not worth it!

 

I got the AVS slim/stealth stick on bug guard to help with this as most chips were right on the front nose. I've notice chips everywhere... side of the fenders near the front etc.. honestly if you have a black or dark paint you'll notice it more. I figure I'm just driving it and don't care too much anymore. You could send your kid out to play with his friends with elbow guards, knee and wrist guards and butt pads if you want. Really though its a trade off between having a film /armor all over your 4R which you can see and when that gets damaged it looks like hell anyways and you won't want to pay the $800 again to skin your 4R.

 

I just had clear bra applied ontothe roof before I swapped out my roof rack. If you're trying to protect your paint I'd say clear bra over anything else

 

I've used tintzoom.com for pre cut Xpel before, but had an installer do the front on my Golf R.

 

I wont put a clear bra on my 4Runner because I would destroy it in the woods.

With that said, my wife's VW GTI has had Xpel on the hood, bumper, mirrors and A-Pillars since new. It is coated with Optimum Ceramic coating as well. The stuff is awesome, small abrasions heal themselves, easier to wash and with the ceramic coat on everything, never have waxed the car. Just maintain the coating. Four years later, water beads right off and it is the easiest vehicle to wash.

 

Yes, it’s pre cut. A local tint shop sells pre-cut protective film, prices are fair but definitely not cheap compared to the link you mentioned.

 

I like going braless.

 

Front end of mine and front of hood and fenders too and including the hood scoop leading edges covered. Mirrors too. Day 1, girl on old Bronco with wide metal mirrors sideswipes me and knocks my mirrors back. Film took the impact and rubbed out and no loss of paint. Recent trip through Taos and to Colorado. 64 being chip sealed, ugh... Pulled over to let a yahoo past where the chip seal started as was on my tail. He lit up his tires and showered me with gravel. About 4 or 5 dings on my drivers side and took one to the front, but film saved the paint. Film abraded slightly is all. Have a van with film for 10 plus years that's also silver and looks good. Another car was 20 years old with same film. Same as on most cars wheel arches, rub areas. Only sure way to save the front of the car from being pockmarked.

 

I used to use protection. Until I didnt...

 

Bras are bad, they will ruin your paint. Believe me, a couple friends used them a few years back and they both had damaged paint. Not only that, if the bra is like the old black ones they look horrible IMO.