Hood film paint protection,. Worth it?

Unfortunately I will not be able to garage my new 2017 TRD sport. My old 2005 had horrible paint issues on the hood and roof of the cab. I would like to keep this truck in excellent condition and saw the option of some sort of film you put on the hood. Is it worth it does it work? Do I get it from Toyota or there are several options out there?

 

I was thinking of doing the flat black wrap for the hood on my Super White. Both a glare and longevity fix.

 

From Toyota or ?

 

I tried to order the paint protection film on my truck when I ordered it but something went wrong during the process and they missed doing it, and then the cost was too high after the fact. I would like to have had it and may look into some aftermarket films.

 

Mine had it already installed by the dealer when we test drove the truck. It saved my mirror from a rock, shredded the film but the paint underneath was fine. Had them replace it the very next day...

 

No from one of the million vehicle wrap places around these days. Use 3M and its supposed to be pretty bomber for 5 or 6 years.

 

yes.

 

I had my entire truck wrapped in Xpel Ultimate, cost me 3k. Price you pay for having a black truck. I'm very happy with it. Very easy to clean. Nothing sticks to it. Bugs and such just wash right off. If money isn't an issue, Expel is really nice. I think ten year warranty? Most people do the front, hood and partial roof. I feel like it was worth it.

 

Keeping up on the wax job?

 

From my research...

Xpel Ultimate is a self healing film. That means that after you wash it, and you accidentally rub sand into the film.. it will self heal in warm sunlight and the scratches will disappear. 7 or 10 year warranty? Something like that, might differ from vendor to vendor.

SunTek is another self healing film. A little less costly than Xpel - but man has it gotten some good reviews. Another awesome warranty on this, 7-10 years.

3M Ultimate is also self healing. You pay quite a bit for the name I think. Probably extruded at the same factory as the others.

Lastly is 3M Scotchgard. More prone to an orange peel effect and not self healing. Wouldn't look good on black, i'm hoping it looks fine on quicksand, heh.

The self healing films are co-extruded. That means there is a protection layer and a self healing layer which in turn means that you have less protection. The 3M Scotchgard is not co-extruded, which means you get more protection - a good idea if your roads are salted/graveled in the winter.

I will be getting my truck done with 3M ScotchGard, specifically the whole front end as well as the rocker panels.

 

I got the hood, front bumper, door edges and windows package. I wouldn't have got it if I built the truck but I am so happy that it came with the truck. It cleans so easy and really does protect it from a whole nother level. I say it is worth it. But it is nothing near to the wraps that the people have told you about. Of course it is way cheaper too. Follow your heart.

 

I had the front bumper, front surround, mirrors, door cups, rear bumper ends and behind each wheel. I just got the bug/stone guard for the hood.

 

using oem (toyota) front film on the 4runner (dec-2013 purchased). on a silver 4runner havent had any discoloration or issues with it. have the same on the tacoma.

 

I really appreciate all the feedback fellas!

 

Been teetering back and forth on this. Have to do some research on local installers. Is this mostly done at tint shops or do places that wrap cars do it too?

 

Good info here. From what I have seen Xpel is rated better than 3M. I will have to check out SunTek. I have the factory stuff (the most coverage you can get OEM) on mine and it has saved me from a lot of rocks. Not a single nick yet.

 

Hey terandus I love the look of the matte black on my hood the next time I may have the whole hood done

 

If I had my way if I would do CFP on the entire truck, no trail pinstripes and Rick chips on the hood and mirrors

 

Yeh I just hag the front end done for the rocks and rock salt from the trucks picking it up

 

Any dealers should do it, or most vinyl wrap/window tint places also do it.
I got the 2016 tacoma kit by 3m.
Does most of the hood, around headlights,skewp,behind front wheels, infront and behind back wheels,mirrors,door pockets, apillars, and a 6" strip atop the windshield edge.

Also totally worth it, if it peels or yellows its full replacement up to 10 years i beleive.