Reflection from White Hood

I have a 014 Taco with the white paint - and "non-sport" hood. Its my DD and it goes east to work in the AM and west to home in the PM. The reflection off the "sometimes" clean hood is a pain in the eyes.

There is a flat black 3M decal available to "black-out" the reflective area (though even the decal is a bit shiny) - about $70-$80 - install it yourself. I'm not entirely confident about the "do it yourself" of a big decal, but it ain't the first time I learned on my own nickel.

Have others used some specific kind of "non-reflective" paint or coating - self applied - and it has worked and lasted? Any help is appreciated (before I get ugly and do it with bed liner).

 

The decals are pretty much flawless. I would get something flat black however, as glossy black is some better than glossy white, but it still shines. I have been around cars a long time and I have done this two ways.

Way back, I would simply mask what I wanted black (say the center part of the hood), and then get some good flat-black spray paint. good paint will go on perfectly smoothly and it will last a long time. Taking it off will be problematic however.

Vinyl will work. We have a couple of places locally where you can drive by, tell them what you want, they will then use a computer-guided laser cutter and pop you off a perfect sheet in whatever color/finish you want. Some windex underneath, a little time to position it correctly (use a ruler and maybe some tape to make some guides), and then squeegee it to remove all the bumps. This is really easy, and it can also be removed. It is a pain, let me tell you, but you CAN remove it. Be prepared to curse it off however.

 

You could trade it in for a less-reflective color, like this guy was considering.

 

Plastidip it? Use at least five coats and if you decide a satin black hood looks like goat ass just peel it off.
https://www.dipyourcar.com/home.php

 

LOL!

 

I'd start cheap and easy. Have you tried polarized sunglasses? Be warned, once you use polarized sunglasses, you won't be able to go back to the cheap, $2.99 sunglasses...ever.

 

+1 on the sunglasses.

 

+ 2 on polarized sunglasses.

 

When the morning sunrise hits the scoop on my sport hood even with polarized glasses and the visor down I have to hold my hand up to block out the blinding bright spot. Fortunately it is only for a quarter mile or so and most times the marine layer is still lingering.

 

Tried the Sunglasses with the same result as when I was a kid ....... forgot them, lost them, broke two .......... just since August.

There is a decal / vehicle wrap outfit close to where I work - quoted $200 custom fitted to the reflective part of the hood and installed. He has the 3M stuff in stock and the fancy computerized cutter - but the "flat black" 3M decal doesn't have a lot of texture - and he says 3M won't warranty the film on a flat horizontal surface. B.S. - but this is ARIZONA so I suppose there is logic to that - I'm beginning to think paint is the answer.

 

I have a white 2015 Taco. I do not have the issue that you have described
but I also has a great set of shades. Get a set of Coasta's

https://www.costadelmar.com/shop/su...DziJkS8UirYDdPHWy7-vLx2GKcKPW_qZEIaAtoH8P8HAQ

 

Plastidip, its a cheaper alternative and you can always take it off If you're not happy and touch it out. You'll spend $30 roughly for 3 cans and some elbow grease vs $200+ for a piece of vinyl or 3m which may or may not be a pain in the ass to take off if you're unhappy with it.. you can take the plastidip off with a rag and some wd40.


You asked. We the TW seniors have spoken. There can only be one highlander!

 

And once you try Coasta's you wont want to use another set of glasses

 

I had a '09 superwhite for 3+ years. Never noticed any reflection or glare off the hood.......but I always drive with sunglasses during the day.

 

clearly you don't have enough mud on your hood...

 

That there were funny!!!

 

I had a super white '06 off road and never once complained about reflection. Now I have a '14 sport and I heard about the complaints, I thought that it was all baloney........ Until recently, it is Bad if the light is just right, very annoying,

 

Here you go. This may help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GeF7A05zQ8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

LOL!!!

 

nonono...get a GOOD pair of sunglasses. Spend some money on them. I have always been partial to Nike myself. I had one pair for 4 years and my last pair for 3 years until an unfortunate lake tragedy. Now I have polarized Oakleys only because I got them for $30 (buddy works for oakley )

When you drop some money on them you get the following:

-usually very comfortable, so you always want to wear them
-get used to wearing them, sunlight becomes unbearable without them, therefore won't forget them
-you won't lose them or break them, because you will be too pissed at yourself for losing/breaking glasses that cost over $100


If you did go this route and still lost/broke expensive as hell glasses...well that just sucks.