Protective film near rear wheel

Does anyone know where I can get the protective film, looks to be like the 3M clear bra stuff that is in front of the rear fender flares? It protects from rock chips etc. Thanks a lot

 

It is a 3M product and you can get it in a big aerosol can at most auto paint shops. They sell a cheaper version at NAPA.

 

You spray it on? Looks like a piece of clear protective tape... so just mask it off and get after it?

 

There is a peel and stick type too, so perhaps we are talking about 2 different things. The peel and stick can be purchased at many sign shops that specialize in vehicle graphics. They computer cut the pieces, or you can just buy the sheet uncut. It is basically just a very thick vinyl.

The spray stuff has kind of a pebbly finish.

 

Its actually cheaper than 3M, but the same principle from Toyota. Not sure why they only do it on one spot. I have the 3M clear bra on the front of my truck.

 

I don't believe you. Pic's please of it in a can.

 

what is cheaper than 3M? I don't know if anyone is thinking about the same spot I am, the rear fenders have a piece of clear bra type material that sticks on the fender flare right in front of the wheel, towards the front. Surely there are replacement pieces online for them or something, I just don't know what to look up

 

Your Toyota dealer will sell that EXACT PIECE to you. Costly, yes, but it's the exact piece. Oh, and it's not a spray-film, it's a sticker.

 

Air craft, tape buy a roll inline you'll have enough for several trucks. It's used on the leading edge of the wings to keep them from stone damage.

 

^^^ Exactly this. Exact same piece, size, shape, texture, everything. Yes it is a stick on and yes they are usually expensive. You can also get it done by a place that does tinting or custom stone tape. They will cut it to the exact size and shape and will even install it for you which is a good thing if it's your first time. Otherwise there is a good chance of air bubble or wrinkles in the plastic. No good if you're OCD like me. There may have been some confusion about where on the truck you were talking about because of the rear fenders. There are only front fenders. The rear wheel wells on a truck are more commonly called boxsides, and on cars and SUVs called quarter panels. Unless you meant to the rear of the fenders, which probably looks like a real thick orange peel? That's dura guard or rock guard at the bottom underneath the paint to protect from rock chips as well.

 

what's also nice is the 2012's have it on the door edge's to protect them as well. Course it does make it more fun when waxing around them, found that out thursday

 

hmmm very interesting, i did not know this

 

For the factory look, this is the easy way to go. But as mentioned, I believe most of the clear vinyl products could be used and cut as you wish. As an FYI, I hated the way the fender flares looked on our trucks new, like a orange peel or an improperly painted surface. Anyway, there is a TSB for faulty painted fender flares, so I had it done and they came out great. Probably better then the factory finish! When I went to pick the truck up, the flares looked so good and the shop foreman gave me the choice of applying the potective stickers, but we both agreed it looked good without them. I said well, they are plastic, this is a truck and if I get a few nicks its not going to rust. Well, 3 years later there are a few small nicks but nothing anyone would notice but me. Very minimal.

 

How does this stuff hold up to rocks/pebbles being thrown by the wheels? I was thinking of getting rid of my mud guards and having the lower portion of the doors on my double cab, and the section behind the rear wheel covered in that stuff but the first quote I got was $350

 

+1. "Helicopter tape" aka surface guard.
http://www.racerstape.com/heli.html

 

Extremely well. That's what it's designed for. That's not today that it's impossible for a chip to get through but it is extremely difficult if you pay for a good product. I've seen lots of customers do their hood and fenders, never the doors though. If you look closely on the lower portion of the doors you will see it looks rougher, more of a heavier orange peel look. That's the factory rock guard under the paint. It's good for minor rock chips as the paint may chip but won't go down to bare metal. Stone tape is a great way to protect your truck from rock chips if you're willing to pay and you don't mind the look of all the stone tape. In the end it's all up to what you're happy with.

 

First post!

Anyone else have issues with this "rock guard" becoming discolored or dirty underneath? Mine has what looks like mildew spots that I can't clean. Is the only remedy to remove/replace?

Thanks in advance!

 

Yes! I think there are some threads on that. I sure need to fix mine

 

I replaced the flare protectors on my '07 a few months ago. I got mine from the dealer/site below. If have any questions on which ones to get, you can call them, they're were very helpful, just have your VIN ready.




https://toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota....ngine/body-cat/exterior-trim-pick-up-box-scat

 

@BlkDakDave Thanks for the info!