Guys,

I'm looking to buy a hood wind deflector but I am also considering the 3M protective tape. A company called xpel (http://www.xpel.com) makes a pre-cut kit for $120.

I definitely trust the folks at 3M and I've read their online literature. Seems like great stuff. But has anyone on the boards used it? Application a pain? Easy? Overall satisfaction?

Thanks,
Bob

 

I have heard that the stuff really works good and it's almost invisible, but the kit is a b@tch to install.

 

I just installed a similar product two days ago.

It's BodyGuard, by Trimbrite, but I'm pretty sure it's made by Avery. That would make it the only such product I've heard of NOT made by 3M.

It comes in a 6 inch by 12 foot roll for about $15, which was enough to do my hood, bumper, and mirrors.

For the most part, it looks pretty good. There are some bubbles that I hope wiill disappear in the next few days. If they don't, the piece may have to be replaced. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

Ok, I give up. What is it? I am guessing it is a clear product that you put onto the body to protect it? Is this right? :fireman:

 

Yup. Second and third gen Runners usually already have some on the body in front of the rear wheel wells. It's very hard to see.

Do a search for "Xpel" and you'll find examples.

Here's a pic about two hours after installation:



As you can see (or not see ) it's just about invisible from three feet or so.

 

I have xpel on my front bumper and lower valance.

I put on a new bumper and added the color coded lower valance to my 99 after replacing a dented bumper cap.

I added the film with the bumper and valance on the bench in the garage.

It is NOT easy to install perfectly but I made a good enough job that it is invisible from 2-3 feet.

I travel in WV in the winter on heavily gritted roads and my old bumper was trashed...we will see after this season if this stuff works.

I will be adding the hood kit shortly and replacing the Toyota deflector which makes the hood vibrate badly.

David

(If you check my web link, you can see some xpel pics in the section under latest front end mods)

 

Its a b*%$ to put on and I didn't even try so I returned it for my 4Runner cuz ppl charge a ridiculous amt to put it on for you. BUT IF YOU can find someone to put it on fairly cheap then its great. It was great on my Audi S4 and BMW M3 when I had the money to put into it. Now that I'm married, boy is the $$ tight

Danny

 

Chuck:

Looks great! I mean, I can't see it. Looks like dlotoy4runner and nrgetic99 had a tough time putting the xpel on. Was the Bodyguard product you installed difficult to cut and apply?

Oh, did you find a good exhaust tip yet?


nrgetic99: i'd most likely go w/ xpel b/c i'd be concerned w/ not being able to make a nice clean cut by hand (for the above mentioned product). However I was reading on their site that you might need to "stretch" the material in order to make it look right. What is so difficult about the application of this product?

Thanks,
Bob

 

I cast my vote FOR! I have it on the paint (professionally installed so I have the warranty if the paint is damaged) and I installed my headlight covers myself - that wasn't bad at all. Barely visible - comes as a kit that covers all the exposed frontal painted areas incl mirrors. I think a worthy investment. I had it installed fro about 285.00 including the material. The X-pel web page lists local installers.

BS

 

It was a little easier to apply than I expected. I've been putting off trying it for two years 'cuz I thought it would be harder to do. Unless the bubbles on my bumper disappear, I'll be redoing the bumper, though.

Go on and try it! You're only risking 15 bucks and a couple of hours. You can't hurt anything.

See my page for more pics of the uncured job. I'll take some more pics in a few days when it finishes drying out.

About the exhaust: No, I gave up on the tip and the Dynomax and went back to my stock system a week ago. Nobody offers any different resonator tips, and I didn't like the sound I was getting, so.....

 

The thinner material like the hood guard will be easier to install then the light pieces. I don't think you could stretch them at all. Don't touch the adhesive side if you can avoid it because it will leave fingerprints, make sure the area is clean underneith, and it would be better if you can make it a one shot deal, not peeling it off and repositioning it. Like others said it's $15, give it try.

I have pieces for the earlier 3rd gen if anyone wants them? 2 fogs and 2 parking lights.


:beaver:

 

Beavah,

I'd like to take those if you don't mind for my bro's 99.

Chuck and Beavah: where did you buy the Bodyguard stuff?

Thanks,
Bob

 

Bob,
That was the reason why I could not use them on my 99 they don't fit. They are for the earlier versions, 1996 and 1997 I believe. If you know someone who can use them I will send an email home and have my parents dig them up.

:beaver:

 

I found it at our local Meijer store. Seems like I've seen it somewhere else, too, but I can't remember where.

 

Beavah:

Check your email.

Thanks,
Bob

 

My parents are getting it installed on the 2002 ES300 sometime this month. I will let you know how it looks.

BTW cost for lights, fogs, hood, bumper, mirrors is $500

 

Guys,

I ended up buying the Xpel kit. I could not find the Stoneguard products you mentioned Chuck. I searched 3 different auto parts stores in my local area (Kragen, Pep Boys and a Toyota dealership) but to no avail.

I ordered it at midnite last nite and they sent a shipped confirmation this morning at 10am. This will definitely be a Saturday morning project.

There were two kits that I was considering, the Xpel kit and another one made of a similar material. They were priced the same so I went w/ the xpel kit.

I'll let you know how it all goes.

Bob

 

Hey guys everyone is right, the stuff IS great but the biggest pain in the A$$ to install. Installers charge an arm and a leg for the install. I was lucky I managed to get my wife's IS300 fully wrapped by a professional shop for some advertising in return, not a bad deal considering it would have been over $1000 for Labor/material for this stuff.
It protects really well and is almost invisible on certain color cars. It wroks well on certain colors only, other colors such as black show up to easily and I would not recommend it. Silver is the perfect color.

The downside is sometimes the edges get dirty a bit after wipe downs or road dirt. after a while a line starts to form around the edges. Other than that it looks really good and save the paint for sure, no dings whatsoever.

a good website is

Http://www.stoneguard.com

or

http://www.invinca-shiled.com

 

I have it on my Lexus IS300. Had it installed, wasn't about to mess with it. The Lexus IS300 is notorious for hood chips.... I got it installed asap and it works great!! I am now selling the car and there aren't any chips on the hood

 

RC, I didn't read all the posts and went back and saw that you have the IS300 too!! lol

I have a black IS300 with the 3m tape and it doesn't show up on mine.... I only paid $150 for it...to have it professionally done. The company contracts out to a local BMW Dealership and came highly recommended. $150 for the product and the labor They wrapped the front bumper, the hood and the side mirrors.