Vinyl Paint Protector

[jsharpe]

Originally Posted by LRKingII

I've got the clear bra by Venture Shield put on mine for $400 and that includes the FULL hood in a wrap style. The rest (grill/valance/bumper) was all lazer cut. NO way after watching it being installed would i want to try anything but the hood. Way to many bends and curves. It looks great as in you can't see it except for one edge on the little flat spot where the bottom of the head lights are and the top edge of the grill next to the hood. But you really have to look hard to see it.
If it stops raining long enough for me to wash the car i'll take some pics and post them.

In addition to the hood and fenders, I had the 3m film applied to the headlights (apparently a royal pain because of the strong curves) door handle cups (wife has fingernails) and all 4 of the interior door sills (my son's gen II has the paint worn down to the primer where he drags is foot covered in winter glop/grit on the drivers door sill). Total out the door for everything came to $259. I would have had them do the top of the rear bumper but ours came with the Prius protector already on it. I didn't feel the need to do the front bumper or mirrors as they are plastic and seem to hold up better on their own.

[RadioZero]

I attempted the headlights and gave up! the headlights are a total PITA. i could not stretch the film enough to make it fit the headlights properly.

[Fussion101]

Originally Posted by RadioZero

since i am one of the few DIY'ers that have done this on a 2010 model, i want to remind everyone that this install takes time and patience. for a full frontal job like mine, plan on at least a half day.

They ebay kit you installed and posted pics of... was it the 24inch hood kit?

[topkick]

Originally Posted by Fussion101

They ebay kit you installed and posted pics of... was it the 24inch hood kit?

I also bought the kit off of ebay and it was the (so called) 24inch hood kit! After it was applied the hood piece is no where close to 24 inches. I emailed the seller and asked about it and was told that it is called that because it is cut from the 24 inch rolled and not the 18 inch roll!

Anyway the 24inch kit does not run 24 inches from the front of the hood. I would like it to be little higher on the hood but it looks and works good as it is.

[WaterbedWarrior]

Originally Posted by topkick

I also bought the kit off of ebay and it was the (so called) 24inch hood kit! After it was applied the hood piece is no where close to 24 inches. I emailed the seller and asked about it and was told that it is called that because it is cut from the 24 inch rolled and not the 18 inch roll!

Anyway the 24inch kit does not run 24 inches from the front of the hood. I would like it to be little higher on the hood but it looks and works good as it is.

Which ebay seller did you buy from and what was the item description?

[Airbalancer]

Originally Posted by green curry expert

Finally got around to asking my dealer who installed my "invisible bra". He wouldn't reveal who it was (as expected). If you ever take a road trip to Ontario, I can give you my salesman's contact if you are interested in getting what I have.

What was the cost of getting it done in TO?

[jsharpe]

Originally Posted by RadioZero

I attempted the headlights and gave up! the headlights are a total PITA. i could not stretch the film enough to make it fit the headlights properly.

Apparently the trick is a combination of a steam gun and lots of effort. Glad I didn't try it myself.

[topkick]

Originally Posted by WaterbedWarrior

Which ebay seller did you buy from and what was the item description?

Clear Defender was the seller on ebay, and it was for the 2010 Prius and the cost was $250. I don't remember the exact description. It is 3M .008 film, some advertise it as .8.

[Pohaku]

Can anyone recommend a particular 3M installer in the Twin Cities? There are a number of them here and I was wondering whether anyone had any experience (positive or negative) with any of them.

Thanks!

[LRKingII]

Originally Posted by Pohaku

Can anyone recommend a particular 3M installer in the Twin Cities? There are a number of them here and I was wondering whether anyone had any experience (positive or negative) with any of them.

Thanks!

Here's a idea for you. Call a couple new car dealers and ask them who they use and why.