Paint Protection Film - Avoid if installed; Easy Removal?

Looking at a 2020 Venture. Dealer didn't recognize that the hood, front bumper, and rear bumper have PPF installed. I noticed because the film doesn't quite reach the edges of the hood or front bumper and ends like an eighth of an inch from the edge thereby sticking out like a sore thumb to me. The rear bumper where it is installed, you can see where it peeled up a tiny bit at the edge and is now dirty under those spots.

When I ran the VIN through the Toyota Specification page, there's no indication that the film was installed at the factory or port.

Is there a way to know if Toyota installed, if the dealer installed? I can't imagine that a third party installed it because nowhere is the fil wrapped over any edge which is typically an indicator, for me, that an after market shop did the install.

Also, what kind of problems or issues might I encounter if I decide to remove the film for, say, the hood? I understand that these 4Runner have thing clear+paint, so I'm worried I may potentially take paint off when peeling up the film.

 

May have been installed by the owner, from the sounds of things. Generally speaking - it will come off with patience and a heat gun. I'd be less worried about pulling paint on metal than on plastic parts. Paint adhesion on/to plastic is always a crap shoot.

 

I've thought about having this installed, but by the looks of my family's Lexus vehicles, it collects dirt and looks dark around the edges, which is a turn off.

 

This seems to be the case when the ppf is not wrapped around the edges of the panels and will always happen if, for example, the film is applied to the bottom third of the hood.

The film on the vehicle I am looking at is still is really good shape, no yellowing, no major peeling, but I anticipate in 25k miles that this may be a different story.

 

Mine came with Toyota Paint Protection which is probably a port installed option.

Since I bought mine used the clear bra material had collected enough dirt behind the film it was time to pull it off. I’m not replacing it.

 

There are several of packages. Software is same at dealer or 3rd party. Preprogrammed and pre cut. All they have to do is peel off, put it on.

 

I had one on the ORP. Where I live the freeways are horrendous for debris, lots quarries and some mining around here. If no bra the front facing surfaces would be pummeled. The windshield did get pitted after just 1.5 years. This time for the new pro I ordered the windshield protection, along with new bra. The Pro does have some factory or port installed clear bra on the hood and front ends of fenders.

 

I installed the 3M precut full bra kit. It was a PITA to install but I'm glad I did. Turned out very well considering I've never done it before.

The kit also included wrap for the headlights but not the fog lights.

The paint on the hood of my old Tacoma had a lot of pitting due to the elements so I felt the bra was worth the effort.

Going on two years and it still looks great. The 3M film is pretty thick film.

I had a friend with a 4Runner ask me to do hers and I declined. The 4Runner is especially difficult because of all the weird angles on the front end.

 

I agree with your decision.