Is it me or do these painted bumpers chip REAL easy?

I have the Gray on the bottom and with 6k miles on it, I have many chips.

Is this due to quality of paint? Can I do anything to protect this from reoccuring all of the time?

 

Clear Bra, but if its already chipped up its too late.

Just about every chip my prior truck had occured on the highway going to work (they sand the hell out of it when it snows) so with this truck I take surface roads only in the winter and I'm happy to report that @6100 miles I don't have one single rock chip (I waxed it 2 weeks ago and inspected it with a fine tooth comb).

Highways in cold weather states are brutal on vehicles in the winter, thats for sure.

 

Absolutely no slam intended, but your experience with painted bumpers is precisely why some prefer chromed bumpers...I do luv the yellow though.

 

I'm working on a very in-depth 'how-to' on a rock chip correction technique that I picked up from Intel486... I'll try to remember to get you the link once I get it completed...

The weather simply isn't cooperating right now as I'd like to take a bunch of step by step pictures....

RP

 

Yes, however, in order to get the yellow I could only get the two-tone. IMO, I will deal with the bumpers rather than chrome bumpers. I don't care for chrome.


Can you say, Touch-up Paint!


BTW: Thanx, that would be great, RockPick

 

RockPick,
Can't wait to read your chip repair guide.

I agree with blitzkrieg though, that the ClearBra would be the best protection. Do you know how to install it? If so, how about a guide for that too?

PS - I have the tan painted bumpers (wish they were chrome though) and am just waiting for the chips to start.

 

Clear bra is the ONLY way to go, goes on the like a window tint and offers unparalleled protection.. can you see it?!


EDIT: It covers the headlamps too!! Bumper, lamps, hood & fenders.

 

Here's a top pic so you can actually see it. If your not on top of the truck, you can't see jack! It's awesome! No chips for me!!

 

I have a yellow FX4 also and I already have three rock chips. One of them is pretty big and is starting to rust. The body shop that is fixing my hail damage said they would touch it up for me though. Too bad they couldn't just repaint it. I would pay to do it, but why do that when it will just get chipped up again sooner or later.

 

Well, ya either love chrome or hate it. I'm on the hate it side of the fence. Thankfully Ford has provided us with two choices.

 

My question is this:

No matter what you do, the clear bra will NOT prevent rocks from hitting the front end. Granted it will not chip the paint.

Will it, however, pit the CLEAR BRA and in time, causing the pittting of the bra to look worse than touching up the paint from the chips?

Opinions from people with the clear bra on for more than a couple of years???

How old is CLEAR BRA??

 

The "Clear Bra" is a name sort of used like "Cola".
Pepsi-Cola, Coka-Cola, RC Cola, etc...

I think 3M owns the name patent on it, but there are numerous films out there (just like window tints).

I have an independent shop I have dealt with that gives a very strong warranty (lifetime for original owner of vehicle installed) on the LLumar products.

Like the Rhino Liner vs. Line-X debate, ask 10 people and you'll get 5 different answers as to what is best.

On the clear bra subject, I'd look for the best warranty you can get and stick with a reputable installer whether they use 3M, LLumar or whatever.

Just my .02....

 

You can't pit the film. If something damages the film, they replace it under warrenty. Normally a sharp object is the only thing that can pierce the film.

The 3M film was used in Desert Storm on the chopper blades to protect them from the harsh sand/rocks. Worked like a champ. A few rocks flyin' at my truck at 80mph are laughed off. The wifes bimmer gets pummeled on I-94 every day on her 30 mile commute. The 3M film are her car is like the day we got it... almost a year ago.

It is not bullet proof, but the stuff sure it tough!

 

i wonder which clear bra u are refering to?

i thought x-pel didnt make a kit and their the only brand i know of.

i know i wished like hell id done it to my lexus so im definately gonna go for it.

 

I have the 3M film. Some folks get kits, other shops buy the material in bulk and custom cut each car.