Well first of all, I hate misty rain. Washed and waxed the car last week to winter-perfection and of course the mist rain crap made it look filthy... So I detailed it today and noticed how many rock chips have owned my front end. I must have a good 10 or more rock chips of varying sizes all over. I mean there is nothing I can do, but just sucks how bad it is for only having the car around mid-august, three months!

Sucks the paint is that delicate, but oh well. Luckily since I have BSP it does not stick out unless your up close, but still sucks bad. I can't imagine what it will look like in a year or two!!

 

ya ive had my bsp since june had have at least 3 huge chips in the hood...not noticible unless ur close but i know they are there and that enough.

 

Two on the front bumper, one of which actually dinged the plastic also, and all before owning it even one month. California weather is great, but the highways suck.

 

is this the type of thing the 3M clear protection would help avoid? i'm looking into local places that install it.....

 

My chips are everywhere but the hood, so unless you 3M the whole entire front end, it won't help it too much!

It will happen regardless sadly!

 

how often or how long do you go on highways?

I have had my SW since mid-august too, but I have been on the highway 2 times, 15mins each, and my front is like brand new.

 

I drive about 600 miles per week throughout the entire NorCal Bay Area, probably 500 of those on highways.

 

My driving is probably 70% freeway, so I am not surprised I have rock abuse, but it just seems excessive, lol.

 

After reading this thread, I decided to postpone lowering my car and get the clear film bra instead. If anyone is in the Bay Area, I know a guy that does it for $495 for Scion members...

 

my last 05 scion tc's front end got destroyed by rock chips from highway driving. Scion vehicles bumper/paint is terrible! Clear bra is the perfect solution.

 

I drove from Washington through canada to Alaska, nevertheless my front has probably 6 or seven fairly noticeable chips, and behind my rear tires its really bad, not to mention my windshield is totally shot. but at least SW wont be a hard color to touch up, it does show chips bad though, especially the plastic parts because the plastic is black. It sure would be nice if the plastic was color coated to the color of the car.

 

I agree, it's a natural occurance if you drive the car alot...

A FULL front CLIP protection is available. Covers the whole hood, full fenders and full bumper...

A pretty penny, but it will protect the paint for 95% of what your car will see....

Think of the film as a Flak Jacket, it will prevent most of the little stuff , pebbles, stones..and bugs. but if your car gets hit , by something the size of a marble. I don't think anything will stop that...

Great investment. I know you can paint it.. but re-paints are never as good as OEM.. think about that..

good luck on that.. you can find a installer in your area..

 

I got my clear bra installed shortly after I posted in this thread. The installer was very good, but this was his first XB. It took him about 5 to 6 hours because he wanted to make it perfect, and it did come out perfect. You can't even see it unless your like 1 foot away. And even then, it's still hard to see.

If anyone is looking to do this in the Bay Area, go to Omega Tint in Pleasanton. If you tell him you're a Scion member, he only charges you $495, rather than $750. It covers almost the entire front end, including a quarter of the hood. I am very happy with mine...

 

That's why the best first investment to make would be a clear bra install.
It's a shame that Scion STILL HASN'T improved on the paint quality/hardness.

 

Just curious, is anyone making the clear bras or how do you go about getting one?

 

If you're still looking for a clear bra installer near you, check out this page and click on your state.

http://www.clearbrafilms.com

Good luck!

Clifford

 

I have rock chips all over the front of my box as well as a pitted windshield too. The first few were very painfull to look at, but now i guess it's just the way it is...

 

I Love my envy green !!! But rocks seem to look for me!!

 

Clear bra is a great way to stop this

 

Ya. I looked into a clear bra option, but the extra $ was not available for me when i got the box... I should have just bit the bullit and sold my first born so i could afford to cover up the box.
Now it's too late, I'd just be covering up the chippage. I do hgave a small jar of touch up paint that i keep in the box to keep me semi-happy.