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tons of paint chips. what's my options?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Aaron Vitolins, Aug 2, 2015.

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  1. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    My hood is covered in tiny rock chips from the previous owner. Although I've had the car for over a year its just now really getting on my nerves. I thought about spraying a plasti dip bug shield on it (since plasti dip is removable) but I'm afraid it will look crappy!

    Any ideas on what to do to cover it/repair and or cost? Thank everyone!

    Its a tideland pearl Prius. I'll try to upload a photograph soon :)
     

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    #1 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 2, 2015
  2. nitteo

    nitteo Junior Member

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    I have the same problem. I'm looking to get the Amazon leather bra for the whole front.

    the second option is to go to a body shop and get an estimate for the hood
     
    #2 nitteo, Aug 2, 2015
  3. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Thanks for the reply! I would probably do the whole bra thing but I personally don't like the look, and I heard it can damage the paint over time :/
     
    #3 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 2, 2015
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Get the hood painted
     
    #4 JC91006, Aug 2, 2015
    Mendel Leisk and valde3 like this.
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Yes, my 2004 Tideland Pearl has the same issue. That comes from bug impacts, tiny rocks, whatever. I consider that to be a badge of honor, not lightly earned over the 200K miles the car has been driven.

    But if you don't like it, then have the hood and front bumper cover repainted.

    In my case, the 2004 is the daily driver, I commute ~45 miles roundtrip and the car is parked outside in the hot AZ summer sun. So there is no point trying to be too fastidious with the car's external appearance.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Aug 2, 2015
  6. nitteo

    nitteo Junior Member

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    I don't like the bra also, but if seems to go the cheapest repair that covers the whole front ($80). my bumper also has tons of nicks. so if I'm repainting it's gonna be the whole front (probably $500+).

    like Patrick I drive around 80 miles a day round trip and my car sits outside in the hot florida sun. I'm sure I can replace the leather bra 4x over and still come out ahead of a new paint job.
     
    #6 nitteo, Aug 2, 2015
  7. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Thanks guys! That makes me feel better. I drive anywhere from 70 to 140 miles a day. Love my Prius <3
     
    #7 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 2, 2015
  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    If you're going to the expense of repainting the panels consider including the cost of covering them with 3M or VentureShield (made by 3M) protective film.
     
    #8 JimN, Aug 2, 2015
  9. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Thanks for the tip! If the next car I have has nice paint I'll do that!
     
    #9 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 2, 2015
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The last owner was likely a constant tailgater.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Aug 2, 2015
  11. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Thats what i was thinking. she must have been all about drafting for the good mpg!
     
    #11 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 2, 2015
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  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I think if it really bothers you that much, you should just paint the hood over. I don't think it'll be much more than $200 and it'll increase the value of the car by at least that amount. When you sell it, it should bring you another $200 more.
     
    #12 JC91006, Aug 2, 2015
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If you paint the hood it'd be good to blend the paint into the fenders. The shop will probably suggest it.
     
    #13 Mendel Leisk, Aug 2, 2015
  14. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    I just feel like if i paint the hood, i also need to paint the front bumper since the paint isn't so hot on it either! who knows, i might buy a nice bud deflector, that'd cover the worst parts. keep a eye out in the for sale section! :)
     
    #14 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 2, 2015
  15. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I've seen the bug deflectors on the Prius, they don't really look that hot.

    [​IMG]
     
    #15 JC91006, Aug 2, 2015
  16. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    #16 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 2, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 6, 2015
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    oh that one is a bra, but it looks better
     
    #17 JC91006, Aug 2, 2015
  18. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    I've always thought vinyl bras on cars looked silly. If you're willing to accept the black look of a bra, then why not mask a clean line across the hood, and spray it with Plasti-dip. IMHO, it'll look better than a piece of vinyl strapped to the hood.
     
    #18 tvpierce, Aug 5, 2015
  19. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Or just paint the whole hood black. I would do that.
     
    #19 valde3, Aug 5, 2015
  20. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    That's what I was thinking. Actually much better for your paint as well. Even brought a can of it a few months ago. I was going to in bolt the hood to paint, but could get the underhood insulation off without braking the clips. Can't take the hood off till you disconnect the washer fluid hose
     
    #20 Aaron Vitolins, Aug 5, 2015
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