New S4: best way to protect bumpers?

[Slav4ikMD]

So I got my new S4. For the most part I am in the suburbs and parking is not an issue, but every now and then I do go to the city and have to park on the streets (and this is NY, so people do park as they please in tight spaces). What do you guys suggest to do to protect the pumpers?

How is the BumpShox thing for the front?

Anything for the back, other than the bumper bully or similar (I refuse having it on the bumber, would just pull it out once parked). How about any of the clear bras? Anything like that for the back?

Any thoughts appreciated, thank you.

[Seinsmeld13]

Best way to protect them? Don't hit any concrete walls!


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[DGVR6]

I thought I told you already... Lamin-X (Clear Bra). Bump shock will just crack your grille.

[Slav4ikMD]

DGVR6, yes I know - but I thought that was for the front only, no? I am asking also for the rear bumper.

[RickFLS4]

Paint protection film is great for protection from paint chips but won't do much of anything to protect the bumper from a dent if you hit something like another car (or another car hits you). If anything the PPF will need to be replaced when you repair the bumper. If you don't go into the city often maybe just pay the price to park in a garage, rent a car instead of taking your S4 or take a train.

[RickFLS4]

DGVR6, yes I know - but I thought that was for the front only, no? I am asking also for the rear bumper.

You can cover the entire car with paint protection film (clear bra) if you want to do so.

[Slav4ikMD]

Yes, I am specifically referring to paint protection from minor bumps during parking, NOT bigger hits.

Would paint protection films that I can buy on Amazon do ok? Or you'd recommend something professionally installed? I am honestly looking for something that is quick and inexpensive. I'll be honest, I am not spending hundeds on putting on bras and stuff, that's just my choice.

Long story, but I can't avoid parking on the street maybe once every two weeks...

[RickFLS4]

PPF protects paint from gravel and small rocks in normal driving. I don't think it is designed to prevent damage from bumps from other cars, walls, concrete poles or anything other than maybe cargo you are putting in the trunk. I know Xpel sells kits but have always had mine professionally installed.

[DGVR6]

Paint protection film is great for protection from paint chips but won't do much of anything to protect the bumper from a dent if you hit something like another car (or another car hits you). If anything the PPF will need to be replaced when you repair the bumper. If you don't go into the city often maybe just pay the price to park in a garage, rent a car instead of taking your S4 or take a train.

I doubt someone will park doing 20 mph to cause that kind of damage.. Bumpers flex.

[hyperunion]

[QUOTE=Slav4ikMD;10224308]Yes, I am specifically referring to paint protection from minor bumps during parking, NOT bigger hits.

Would paint protection films that I can buy on Amazon do ok? Or you'd recommend something professionally installed? I am honestly looking for something that is quick and inexpensive. I'll be honest, I am not spending hundeds on putting on bras and stuff, that's just my choice.

Long story, but I can't avoid parking on the street maybe once every two weeks...[/QUOTE
I personally have xpel ultimate on entire front end... Best ppt on the market but will cost around a grand with install....3m did release a paint protection spray on film that looks pretty promising for the short term...and very inexpensive

[Amorphic]

My vote is Xpel Ultimate. I had my front bumper tapped in a parking lot. It scuffed the clear bra but i peeled it off and the paint was fine underneath

[RickFLS4]

I doubt someone will park doing 20 mph to cause that kind of damage.. Bumpers flex.

Are you sure you have had anyone hit your car with PPF on it? At a minimum, I would expect the PPF to be damaged. I've have had people hit a previous car's bumper while it was parked and PPF wouldn't have done anything to protect it. You don't need to be going 20 MPH to cause damage.

[Slav4ikMD]

Definitely not spending a grand or several hunded bucks on this... Afterall, this is just a car, not looking to dump any signficant cash into it. Just want something cheap and low key to avoid major scratches from other people parking badly.

I am between 1) doing nothing 2) getting a bumper bully and just pulling it out when parked and 3) getting adhesive cheap clear bra from amazon, or.... anything else cheap you guys can suggest. :)

[Okan509]

Definitely not spending a grand or several hunded bucks on this... Afterall, this is just a car, not looking to dump any signficant cash into it. Just want something cheap and low key to avoid major scratches from other people parking badly.

I am between 1) doing nothing 2) getting a bumper bully and just pulling it out when parked and 3) getting adhesive cheap clear bra from amazon, or.... anything else cheap you guys can suggest. :)

you will fail installing clear bra film if you have not done similar tasks to a car before, making the price way too high for what it seems like you are willing to spend.

sounds like you should do 1 or 2

[Slav4ikMD]

I was thinking something like this: http://www.amazon.com/EndDings-Prote...otection+clear

You saying it's hard to install?

[Okan509]

that looks easy to apply, but will likely look awful IMO.

clear film can yellow, collect dirt at the edges, and if the surface you are applying to isn't perfectly clean, will look awful.

clear film can also lift paint when removing, so depending on what type of product this is/reviews and feedback I would be hesitant.

There is a pretty decent reason why clear bra is expensive to have installed

[Slav4ikMD]

I see. Makes sense. Thanks, you guys are all very helpful. As you can see, I am pretty new to the new car world. Although I've had some cool cars over the years, I've already had them very used and never cared about cosmetics. I can't wait till this car is like 5 years old so I can stop worrying about this nonsense. :)

[Portlander]

Not much you can do, parallel parking on city streets can be so frustrating. Drivers who are not "car people" have no respect for other vehicles and feel that inching backwards or forward and tapping bumpers is an acceptable behavior. Try not to be stuck in between two vehicles whenever possible and try to be patient and find a spot at the very front or rear of a block to improve your percentage of being nudged in half. If you are in an end spot, you can cheat a few feet in order to give the car in front or behind you a little more maneuvering room to help prevent this from happening.

I would take RickFLS4's advice and park in a garage where you have more control regardless of the cost. Too bad NYC has little or no angled parking which I prefer in urban environments, good luck!

[DGVR6]

Are you sure you have had anyone hit your car with PPF on it? At a minimum, I would expect the PPF to be damaged. I've have had people hit a previous car's bumper while it was parked and PPF wouldn't have done anything to protect it. You don't need to be going 20 MPH to cause damage.

Yep, about 2 weeks ago in a parking lot. She backed up into me pretty hard while I was inside actually , PPF saved me.

I don't know though, maybe I was lucky but im glad I have it.
Im pretty sure it's not indestructible... Anything can happen.

[Audi 4 Life]

Your going to need to have it done professionally, it is extremely hard to install properly. Also brand makes a big difference, I have the 3m venture shield line on my car and it has not yellowed or anything. If you get the wrong kind even with the proper care it will peel up on the edges over time and yellow after like a year and look like crap.
If your not looking to spend close to a grand your not going to get a full quality kit. My kit was almost 1k I think a little less. But it covered my whole front end about 1 foot and half up the hood and foot up the fenders, all along the side skirts, mirrors and about foot on the roof above windshield up almost too sunroof, a peice on top of rear bumper below trunk for when pulling stuff out bumper by the chrome strip and Under rear bumper like behind where splash shield will go. I PROMISE you this must be done professionally, it is very hard to do. I watched my friend who is a very experienced mechanic who failed at this and ruined the product he bought it takes a lot of experience because of the way the material is its not like laying some tint down or anything. I suggest Google all shops locally find out what brands they use and prices on each type of kit they offer and maybe you'll find a good deal you can afford or at least get a few main peices. Also I do remember hearing their are some new models of clear bra out that are self healing I just had most of my kit redone from a small hit and run on my car and the shop used a different kind of bra I forget the brand they said it's self healing, not sure how far that goes but I'm sure it's something worth looking into. If your paint is fresh a full clear bra is the best investment you can have it will keep your front end and other areas that get rock damage and road debris looking brand new for years and years and years to come. It's one of the best things I ever bought on my car. Here's a picture of my 2002 front end. As you can see it doesn't have one chip in it. Years after respray after installed full usp kit it she still looks like she just rolled out the factory.