Clear Protectant (3M or?) replace Mudflap?

Hey guys,

I like most of you removed all my mudflaps on my 2011. Problem is I noticed on the bottom of the rear fender/bedside behind the tires there are quite a few scratches+chips already accumulated.

Since im a Prerunner with shitty stock tires some offroad runs in the sand caused me to floor it a lot to get out of situations, so I can easily see this getting worse even will all around driving.

Has anyone tried putting protectant film over this area instead of putting their mudflaps back on? This stuff is more known for front(hood+bumper) rocks/chips/bugs but I dont know of accelerated debris from tires.

Thanks

 

subd...good idea? waitin to see what others say

 

+1

 

Bump

 

I think you have a good idea. Post up pics if you do it. But IMO I think that it's a truck. If you want it to stay pretty don't take it off road. I look at all the chips/scratches as character and proof that I use my truck the way that I think trucks were intended. Just my .02

 

you could try the film, and if that doesnt work then i would prolly put the mud flaps back on. i havent taken my mud flaps off for that rreason.

 

Doing this is about a week. I'll keep this thread updated.

 

Watch out, the mud flap guys will be here shortly...

Toyota does apply a "film patch" to protect the front area of the rear wheel fender flares already. You could apply a film to protect the other areas below, but from my experience, with the flaps removed on all the trucks from my past I have had no issues in the areas where the mud flaps protect. Sure, there were nicks in the paint from rocks and so forth along the bottom of every truck I have owned, but rust or paint issues were never a problem for me. At some point I would just cover the nicks or lower areas with a liner material of some sort if the nicks in the paint bother you...

 

Anyone in this thread end up actually doing the 3m clear bra?

 

Chips and scratches are going to happen and i look at it as its a truck being used the way it should be and adds some more character to it!Those general areas have factory clear protectant but it wouldn't hurt to do what you've thought of in the other areas.A friend of mine who has a Tundra actually plastidiped those areas with several coats.It has worked as a good shield for those areas of his truck and he has the option to remove it easily.