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A PAINT CHIP IN MY NEW PRIUS!!!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by dongwoo, Nov 3, 2007.

  1. dongwoo

    dongwoo New Member

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    Hi all...

    So this is my second topic on here so far in the one week i've owned my prius.... and of all things... SOMEONE BUMPS MY BUTT IN THE PARKING LOT!

    AGH! >_<


    So, I saw the post a bit earlier about the 3M repair kit... is there anything else someone can suggest that you have great experience with?

    Or is it best to take it to a professional? Or because this is on the bumper... there's nothing really I can do to restore that to new as possible?


    Too bad theres no clear bra for the rear. heh.


    Your comments and help are appreciated!
     
  2. dongwoo

    dongwoo New Member

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    BTW, Can someone point me in the direction of the clear bra for the prius. I found one on eBay, but it was a protective film... is that what the clear bra is? I've only seen the black leather ones before.

    I checked the prius accessories here and i didnt see it... i'll check again though.

    thanksa gain!
     
  3. drifty1955

    drifty1955 New Member

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    Sorry...I live in constant fear someone is going to douche my car in the parking lot..and of course walk away...which is why my car is the one way way over there in the parking lot. ...Go to Carsmetics..they have a really cool optical sensor that looks at your paint and mixes a batch of paint that matches your car exactly..which given how new your car is may be meaningless but there serious about a perfect fix though. Get it fixed or thats all you will ever see when you walk up to your car! Good luck!
     
  4. IndyDoug

    IndyDoug New Member

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    I used to be psychotic about getting paint chips on my precious Prius. I even bought and intalled a front-end bra. It still can't prevent chips on the hood. Paint chips are just something that happens and is unpreventable. Your obsession about paint chips will wear off in time.
     
  5. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    There is a company here called "Chips away" they do a great job of fixing chips. There must be something similar near you. As a good secondhand car yard who they use.

    Yes clear bras are clear plastic film.
    I like to keep chips fixed up and keep the car looking nice. I have a spot on the back bumper I need to sort from pre purchase, I missed it before I bought it or I would have had the yard fix it.
     
  6. dongwoo

    dongwoo New Member

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    hey thanks for the responses ppl!

    ...so you dont think the clear bra will prevent the chips on the hood and front bumper? do u think its a waste of money then? maybe the leather bra is better you think?


    what do you guys think? which is a better investment and looks good at the sametime to ur experiences?
     
  7. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    Clear bra will help, plenty here have them and swear by them, they just wont stop all of them but only a garage will do that. (as long as you leave the car in it.)
    Ven with a vinyl bra there can be damage, I'm not a fan of either but if I had to pick one it would be the clear one. Because it is ftuck to the body it is less likely to scratch the paint by flapping and no need to remove it to check the oil.
    Look here http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=38948&hl=bra
    and here http://priuschat.com/index.php?act=Search&...mp;highlite=bra
    lots of reading
     
  8. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    Personally, for bumper scratches and chips, I would just get a touch-up paint pen and a jar of brush on touch-up paint (you can get these online; you will need the 3 character paint code which is printed on your driver's door). Also, an ordinary Sharpie is sometimes the best fix (get the closest matching color you can find -- a good art supplies store will have all 39 available colors).

    Finally, you might consider getting 2" wide, full-length bumper guard strips. Color-matched bumper strips are available from BumperDefender.com. Or, a body shop can get and install generic black ones for you. Search "bumper guards" on PriusChat if you're interested. I, Zang, and maybe some others have posted pictures of our Prii with bumper guard strips.
     
  9. Rest

    Rest Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dongwoo @ Nov 3 2007, 12:37 PM) [snapback]534377[/snapback]</div>
    Actually that isn't your bumper, that is the bumper cover panel. Back in the day bumpers were actually on the outside of a vehicle and were chrome or black metal. Today, bumpers are behind a plastic panel or cover that blends in with the body style.
     
  10. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    But most people refer to the cover as a bumper.
    Do you have touchup paint in the glove box, it comes with the car new here.
     
  11. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    I think the US Prius does not come with a pen or jar of touch up paint in the glove compartment.
     
  12. Winston

    Winston Member

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    A sharpie. I love that idea. I have a black Prius, so a black sharpie will help hide that white primer that shows up at paint chips.
     
  13. Winston

    Winston Member

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    A sharpie. I love that idea. I have a black Prius, so a black sharpie will help hide that white primer that shows up at paint chips.