Has anyone gotten the rear bumper applique

Bill Compton · 03-27-2004, 10:10 AM

Has anyone purchased the rear bumper applique to protect the back bumper from scratches?
How thick is it? Are you happy with it?
Thanks in advance.
Bill Compton
Northern VA

priitis · 03-27-2004, 10:18 AM

I have the applique, it was already on the car I purchased. It's unobtrusive and I think it probably does protect the bumper, so I don't mind having it. I'm not sure how thick it is -- maybe about 1/32"? Not sure how to estimate that...

inventor00 · 03-27-2004, 11:51 AM

What color is it? Is it Black or clear? I have seen several sites and cannot tell from the picture. My Silver "Fannny" needs some protection (grin).
What about the clear xpel or 3M film used for the clear bra stuff? (as in make my own...

Hoagie · 03-27-2004, 12:05 PM

I have it too.

The applique is mostly clear and difficult to see. There are raised "things" on the horizontal surface which are a light gray. I believe the word "Prius" is spelled out in the gaps between these marks, but it is difficult to see.

It covers most of the horizontal surface of the rear bumper and has a small "lip" which folds over the corner.

I would very much suggest getting this. I have two chips in the paint of my bumber already (6 months old) which would have been prevented had the applique been there.

*WARNING ABOUT THE APPLIQUE*
(just to be sure to get your attention)

Have it installed by your dealerships *body shop*!

I took my car in for regular maintenance and had it installed then, but the maintenance people. The applique promptly began to form air bubbles. As a result I have to take my car back in (am waiting to do this) and will have to have the current applique removed and have a new one installed.

**efusco** · 03-27-2004, 01:28 PM

I purchased an applique when I got the car, it was going to be about $20 cheaper to put it on myself...or so I thought.

First, some special cleaner is recommended. Then you have to spray a vague quantity of soapy water 'evenly' over the rear bumper, then you have to place the applique on. There are no clear guides as to exactly where it goes--the center is pretty easy to find, but it's hard to tell how far forward or back, etc.

Then, you need a squeegie to try to quickly get the soapy water out from beneath...this too is pretty tricky as the edges like to stick down and not let you get the water/bubbles out. If it moves you can't, easily, slide the applique around to the correct position, you have to remove it completely and reapply and go through the whole process again.

Ultimately I failed to get mine on. I had large bubbles I didn't know how to remove (someone later told me to just pop them with a pin--wish I'd tried that). It looked uneven with a couple creases I'm sure weren't supposed to be there. I pulled it off and threw $40+ worth of plastic applique in the trash--hardly a savings.

IF you have experience with window tinting or applying the 3M type protectant you can probably do this yourself without a lot of trouble. If you do not have experience you might be able to do it, or you might be out your $40 like I was...I say it's worth a few extra bucks to have the dealership do it.

I've found that I'm doing OK without. I don't really put stuff on the top of the bumper anyway, I CAN see how that corner of the top edge could get chipped/dinged and that the protectant could help prevent that and if you do a lot of loading/unloading out the hatch then it may be in your best interest to get the applique to avert the risk and cost of damage and fixing that damage.

seasalsa · 03-27-2004, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by inventor00
What color is it? Is it Black or clear? I have seen several sites and cannot tell from the picture. My Silver \"Fannny\" needs some protection (grin).
What about the clear xpel or 3M film used for the clear bra stuff? (as in make my own...

I went the 3M route and ordered it from:
http://www.invinca-shield.com/asp/genkit.asp?kit=4482
I installed it before I started the installation of the clear bra to learn how to install the other stuff. It installs easily, I had only one very small bubble and followed their directions and removed the bubble. It looks good and has already saved me a couple of scratches. Oh yes, it cost $21.

macman · 03-27-2004, 02:49 PM

I have it and IMOH I think it is a waste of money. $62 for a thin piece of plastic that I doubt would prevent a nick if something was dropped or slid across the bumper.

**efusco** · 03-27-2004, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by macman
I have it and IMOH I think it is a waste of money. $62 for a thin piece of plastic that I doubt would prevent a nick if something was dropped or slid across the bumper.

Hmmm, while certainly you can have your opinion as to whether it's a waste of money or not, I disagree about it's protective ability. It is a tough piece of plastic that will, indeed, prevent most scrapes and damage. If you drop a refridgerator or drag a very heavy object with a sharp edge across it sure, it will fail to protect. But I bet most minor blows from say, loading a bike in, or groceries, or resting a box with staples on the bottom and other every day stuff that would scuff the paint it should do a fine job of protecting.

It's pretty tough stuff if you handle the raw, pre-applied, product.

mretc1 · 03-27-2004, 05:34 PM

How much are the Toyota dealers charging to install? I received my applique on Friday and just ran into the issue of purchasing the 3M prep solution and the 3M Gold squeegee. Had to go to a specialty automotive paint store and didn't get there before they (unknowingly) closed at noon today. I was also going to use this as a test to see if I wanted to try installing the 3M invinca for the front of the car.

Evan- your experience is not exactly giving me confidence!

Anyone with experience installing and some recommendations on easiest way to install? Did you pre-heat the bumper?

Thanks,

Eric
Black and tan BC
Raleigh, NC

Hoagie · 03-27-2004, 05:52 PM

My dealer charged me around $15. For the amount of time it should have taken it is a horrible expense, but I decided to accept that just in case something went wrong during the install... which is exactly what happened. So, instead of being out another $55 I just have to wait for them to get a new one in and install it again.

I do not believe the original installer used any form of heat gun, which is why it may of failed. I am having the install done by the body shop the next time, so it should be done right.

03-27-2004, 10:10 AM	#1
Bill Compton Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Burke, Virginia Posts: 25 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Has anyone gotten the rear bumper applique Has anyone purchased the rear bumper applique to protect the back bumper from scratches? How thick is it? Are you happy with it? Thanks in advance. Bill Compton Northern VA

03-27-2004, 01:28 PM	#5
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 14,253 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 24	I purchased an applique when I got the car, it was going to be about $20 cheaper to put it on myself...or so I thought. First, some special cleaner is recommended. Then you have to spray a vague quantity of soapy water 'evenly' over the rear bumper, then you have to place the applique on. There are no clear guides as to exactly where it goes--the center is pretty easy to find, but it's hard to tell how far forward or back, etc. Then, you need a squeegie to try to quickly get the soapy water out from beneath...this too is pretty tricky as the edges like to stick down and not let you get the water/bubbles out. If it moves you can't, easily, slide the applique around to the correct position, you have to remove it completely and reapply and go through the whole process again. Ultimately I failed to get mine on. I had large bubbles I didn't know how to remove (someone later told me to just pop them with a pin--wish I'd tried that). It looked uneven with a couple creases I'm sure weren't supposed to be there. I pulled it off and threw $40+ worth of plastic applique in the trash--hardly a savings. IF you have experience with window tinting or applying the 3M type protectant you can probably do this yourself without a lot of trouble. If you do not have experience you might be able to do it, or you might be out your $40 like I was...I say it's worth a few extra bucks to have the dealership do it. I've found that I'm doing OK without. I don't really put stuff on the top of the bumper anyway, I CAN see how that corner of the top edge could get chipped/dinged and that the protectant could help prevent that and if you do a lot of loading/unloading out the hatch then it may be in your best interest to get the applique to avert the risk and cost of damage and fixing that damage. __________________ Evan E. Fusco, MD Seaside 04BC9/OEM EVb/NAV & auto-BT/XM Radio, CAN-View, Shark Fin, BT Stiff. Plate, Skid Plate & Strut Support

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03-27-2004, 10:18 AM	#2
priitis Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 31 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have the applique, it was already on the car I purchased. It's unobtrusive and I think it probably does protect the bumper, so I don't mind having it. I'm not sure how thick it is -- maybe about 1/32"? Not sure how to estimate that...

03-27-2004, 11:51 AM	#3
inventor00 Orange County Prius Club Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Newport Beach,CA Posts: 773 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	What color is it? Is it Black or clear? I have seen several sites and cannot tell from the picture. My Silver "Fannny" needs some protection (grin). What about the clear xpel or 3M film used for the clear bra stuff? (as in make my own...

03-27-2004, 12:05 PM	#4
Hoagie Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 59 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have it too. The applique is mostly clear and difficult to see. There are raised "things" on the horizontal surface which are a light gray. I believe the word "Prius" is spelled out in the gaps between these marks, but it is difficult to see. It covers most of the horizontal surface of the rear bumper and has a small "lip" which folds over the corner. I would very much suggest getting this. I have two chips in the paint of my bumber already (6 months old) which would have been prevented had the applique been there. WARNING ABOUT THE APPLIQUE (just to be sure to get your attention) Have it installed by your dealerships body shop! I took my car in for regular maintenance and had it installed then, but the maintenance people. The applique promptly began to form air bubbles. As a result I have to take my car back in (am waiting to do this) and will have to have the current applique removed and have a new one installed.

03-27-2004, 02:49 PM	#7
macman Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I have it and IMOH I think it is a waste of money. $62 for a thin piece of plastic that I doubt would prevent a nick if something was dropped or slid across the bumper.

03-27-2004, 05:34 PM	#9
mretc1 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 21 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	How much are the Toyota dealers charging to install? I received my applique on Friday and just ran into the issue of purchasing the 3M prep solution and the 3M Gold squeegee. Had to go to a specialty automotive paint store and didn't get there before they (unknowingly) closed at noon today. I was also going to use this as a test to see if I wanted to try installing the 3M invinca for the front of the car. Evan- your experience is not exactly giving me confidence! Anyone with experience installing and some recommendations on easiest way to install? Did you pre-heat the bumper? Thanks, Eric Black and tan BC Raleigh, NC

03-27-2004, 05:52 PM	#10
Hoagie Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 59 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My dealer charged me around $15. For the amount of time it should have taken it is a horrible expense, but I decided to accept that just in case something went wrong during the install... which is exactly what happened. So, instead of being out another $55 I just have to wait for them to get a new one in and install it again. I do not believe the original installer used any form of heat gun, which is why it may of failed. I am having the install done by the body shop the next time, so it should be done right.