BackUp Camera & Full Rear Bumper Protection

[Swingshiftworker]

Well, not long ago, the back up camera (along w/the mobile phone bluetooth feature which I don't use because I don't have a bluetooth phone and, even if I did, I wouldn't use it because I think that talking on the phone while driving is too dangerous) was among the things I thought was totally useless on my Prius.

After all, it's not an RV and I can see perfectly well when backing up. <_< So, I thought until I backed my (until that moment) pristine and unblemished P into a small parking parallel parking space w/o looking at the backup camera.

Of course, I ended up bumping into the car in the rear, which resulted in a small dent and a couple of small but deep scratches (from the other car's license frame and a screw head). Man, that cover sure is delicate. AAGGH!!!! Anyway, it was only then that I realized that I could have checked my "6" by looking a the backup camera while backing up (DUH!) which I did when backing up again before leaving the space. I'm not going to make THAT mistake again.

So, now I've got this really annoying blemish in the rear bumper and touch up paint isn't going to get rid of it. I thought of buying some of those stick-on "bullet holes" or sliding glass window "daisies" to put over it (which will at least look "decorative), but what I'd like to do is find something to put across the entire rear bumper to "protect" it from further abuse.

I know there are some narrow (1-2" wide) stick-on corner bumper pads available, but what I'd like is a professionally made wide rubber (or other similar) protective sheet of material around 6" wide and about as long as the bumper is wide (nice looking, of course) that could be used to fully protect the rear bumper instead.

Anyone know of such a product? I've searched the threads on this site and only come up w/the clear bra and the top of the bumper applique, which are not what I'm looking for.

[tbullock]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swingshiftworker @ Aug 31 2006, 05:39 AM) [snapback]312058[/snapback]</div>

I know there are some narrow (1-2" wide) stick-on corner bumper pads available, but what I'd like is a professionally made wide rubber (or other similar) protective sheet of material around 6" wide and about as long as the bumper is wide (nice looking, of course) that could be used to fully protect the rear bumper instead.

Anyone know of such a product? I've searched the threads on this site and only come up w/the clear bra and the top of the bumper applique, which are not what I'm looking for.
[/b]

The closest thing I've found is a big roll of 2" wide generic side molding with 3M backing. This site has it (Kit# MDG123):
http://www.customautotrim.com/products/mol...y_1_1eights.htm

As your post suggests though, 2" won't protect it from all bumpers.

[Swingshiftworker]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tbullock @ Aug 31 2006, 10:29 AM) [snapback]312173[/snapback]</div>

The closest thing I've found is a big roll of 2" wide generic side molding with 3M backing. This site has it (Kit# MDG123):
http://www.customautotrim.com/products/mol...y_1_1eights.htm

As your post suggests though, 2" won't protect it from all bumpers.
[/b]

Thanks for the link, but 2" is just too narrow. Four inches might be ok and, if it looks ok, I might be able to double up on the strips, but I don't know if that will look "right" or not. I'll consider it, but in the meantime, I'm going to keep an eye out for the bumper strips on different cars and, if I see one that might work, will go to the appropriate dealer parts department to see if it can be retrofited for use on the rear bumper of the Prius.