Lower Valence - Wrap or Plastidip?

Plastidip is the by far the easiest and cheapest solution, and it looks great. However, I've found that it's harder to get bugs off compared to vinyl. Depends what you want.

 

The cost of work would put it up there with the cost of buying an off road version. Honestly its not hard to do. Use a spray bottle with water and spray a light mist on the piece then lay it on the vinyl. Press the vinyl against the un-adhered parts then just lift and pull until all the wrinkles are out. Just trim the edges with a razor.

Plasti dip will be easier but can have a cloudy look on larger pieces since its hard to get consistent coverage on larger areas.

 

It isn’t a huge issue in my area. I’m going to go full blown bumper replacement soon, new grill, and I have a bugflector on the hood so it’s pretty well off as is. I want to change up colors in the front too, hence the plasti dip of the lower valence.

 

The cost of wrapping would cost close to the cost of an off-road bumper?

 

Neither, bought one for $130 online and will never worry about debris, chips, or long term fade/maintenance...keep in mind this is a front facing part and has the most contact head on, those with plastic dip that has lasted have yet to have anything significant ding it...

 

I have the SR5 and mine is black..came that way..

 

I've never been a fan of plastidip, I don't like the rubbery vinyl feel. But good thing is it's not permanent. Unpainted black plastic will start to turn white over the years & you'll have to keep coating it with a protectant like armor all, black to black, etc. But if you're not keeping the truck long or don't have hot sun baking it in your area then no worry.

I got tired of my lower valance turning white so I painted my it with SEM Trim Black.

 

my bad, I have an SR5 and mine is black

 

Yeah, unless you could find a friend or member to do it. Most quotes for vinyl wrapping I've gotten make it pointless. I would expect someone to charge at least 50 for wrapping that piece, even though its not worth that. If you're absolutely trying to save it would still be cheaper, but I would just spend the extra 40 or 50 more for the OEM piece.

 

Oh my bad I was thinking off off-road armor I actually may look at buying an actual off-road lower valence bumper if I’ll be a couple dollars away. Maybe I can score a used one for cheaper too thanks man, definitely made me think it over.

 

This is the best I have right now. These two pictures were taken about a year apart. Dipped bumper, grill, rims and fender flares. I'm offroading and camping every weekend in Colorado and Utah. All the dip looks new and is still perfect. But the $8 can and go at it. After all these years, I can't believe people still doubt plasti dip. Vinyl will cost you $100 easy and they will have to disassemble your front bumper and probably break the clips.

 

That doesn’t look bad at all! Props to ya for a nice job! Hmm. I may look at derping my flares as well as the off-road black flare look has been rubbing off on me. Thanks for the pictures I really appreciate it!

Edit: Did you really trade your sport hood for an off road one?

 

I bought the truck used, one year old. The previous owner traded it. I have no idea why and wish he didn't. I'd like to find a sport hood and trade back.

Dip is great. It takes 5 minutes to mask off and then spray away. If you don't like it, peel it off.

 

I had to add the black. I never wanted the quicksand color and the TRD Sport had way too much color match for me. The quicksand grew on me with the black accents and now I like it a lot.

 

Dip it dude, esp since you're talking about getting a new front bumper anyway. It's relatively cheap, super easy to apply and if you don't like it, it comes off fairly easily. Make sure you watch a couple youtube vids on how to apply it, most people F it up because they spray it wrong or expect it to look perfect after 2 coats. I'd say 2 cans should cover that front up nicely.

Oh and buy one of these, it's worth the extra couple bucks:

https://www.dhgate.com/store/product/labor-saving-plasti-dip-handle-rim-membrane/403838176.html

 

mine is plastidipped, but I ordered a black one off ebay. will be here soon.

 

You can't remove that piece without missing something from the front bumper. The OP is talking about the center piece in the front bumper (valance), not the air dam underneath the bumper. Lol

 

I got it now...

 

how hard is it to remove that piece? Im thinking about dipping it, but didn't know what I am facing.

 

easy peasy.
here is link to detailed instructions
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/front-bumper-trim.441303/#post-13033804