Plasti dip acrylic grill

Great job! There was another thread, someone thinking of doing exactly this, but no follow-up. My 2017 PRIME had a crack on the acrylic from a flying rock. Never did the repair or replacement. I am sure that blemish did lower my trade-in value when I swapped it with 2020 PRIME. I am thinking of doing something on my new PRIME, but I do not want to spend too much money or time. The question is, how protective is that coat of plastidip? Would a flying rock still will crack it?

 

I was at least one of the ones thinking of it, @Salamander_King. That's because of the crack I have. But it didn't look like I was going to be able to get the crack smooth enough to make the plastidip look good so I bailed out.

I suspect that a rock would go right through the plastidip, but maybe you could peel it off, smooth the ding, and re-coat it. Depending on how bad it is.

 

Yeah, I remember you were in the discussion, but it wasn't you. I can't find the thread, but he mentioned he has experience with plastidip and wanted to give a try. In any case, your concern is exactly why I have not done anything on my new PRIME. Plastidip or wrap, either way, are not likely to be much protection against flying rock. I am sure the acrylic is still going to crack underneath the plastidip coating or vinyl wrap.

 

I had mine covered with a 3m bra material! I hope it will help this situation. So far so good. I'm over a year on my 2020!

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Any pictures? Did you wrap only acrylic part without taking it off? I now have used grille sub-assembly with cracked acrylic fascia. I am going to play with it to see if I can make it stronger and less obvious when cracked, then swap it on my brand new 2020 PRIME.

 

I'm not sure you would see it in the picture. Plus I don't know how too load a picture too this site!
I had the bra installed by the dealer before dealivery. I had this done in order to protect the front of the car during winter conditions. I did not even realize the frount of this car was made of glass!

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Please let us know how the clear bra holds to prevent cracks. I am just not sure that any surface treatments that would protect normal paints on the body parts (usually made of much stronger materials) will protect the cracks. I think most of overlaid wrap or spray coating dose not add any tensile strength to the underlying material. It is not made of silica based glass. It is made of transparent acrylic plastic (aka plexiglass). I have read in some other thread that if Toyota used at least polycarbonate instead of acrylic, it would be stronger.

 

Easier than falling asleep. Just click the "Upload a File" button that's next to the "Post Reply" button. We'd love to see what it looks like.

 

I'll give it a go!

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Thanks for your help! Appreciated!

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I think if I get a break or crack on the glass grill I'll cover it with decal of some sort!

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A bandaid decal.

 

@tip which size paint protection film did you get? There are 3. If your side view mirrors are covered that is medium or large. The large does the grille, 3/4 of the hood 1/2 of the fenders and the side view mirrors.
It's good stuff and protects well. All depending on the size of the object making contact. A brick will make a dent or brake the grille no matter what is added on top of the paint and plastic, except maybe a snow plow mounted in front of the car. But I think that's only available on the gen4 AWD ---

 

Yes the mirrors are covered and 1" or so into the curve at the top of the hood. All the front including the head lights!

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Cool idea. I should find a road runner decal since that's the kind of bird that cracked mine.

 

What Byzantine bumpers they churn out these days. Toyota, Lexus (and how!), Honda and the rest: they've all gone nuts.

 

My spare grille sub-assembly is still awaiting reinforcement. I got cheaper polyester-based fiberglass resin instead of more expensive epoxy, but have not applied it to the backside of the acrylic grill.

 

Could someone possibly make a mold from that, crank out copies in a more resilient material??

probably too expensive.

I know: rubber.