Protecting bumper during the road trip.

[Qashqai]

I am planning a road trip and I am sure at the end of the road the bumper will be covered with bugs and of course small paint chips from rocks. I am trying to do my best to protect the front end of the car, but during the 800km road trip, I am sure there will be some permanent damages.

I already installed hood deflector, which hopefully protects the hood. I was planning to use a nose mask just for road trips like this and remove it other times. I looked at ebay but they are all for 2010 Rogues, the online Nissan part retailers either don't carry 2011 mask or they don't ship to Canada.

I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a 3M transprent bra, so can you please help me?

(My cousin had a great idea: Covering the bumper with Cling Wrap ...evet with this redneck precaution, rock will still damage the paint)

[casperfun]

Shield, from Dupli-Color, provides temporary spray-on protection for your vehicle where bugs and road grime can do damage. It’s ideal for the front end, rear quarter panel and rocker panels.

Spray on Shield as a temporary bra for long road trips, quick mud flaps or as a bug guard. Shield sprays on easily and dries in less than a minute. And best of all, it stays on until you wash it off. You can power wash it off or use soap and water. Rain, snow or moisture in the air won’t affect it. This product leaves no residue on a vehicle’s paint. Give your vehicle the protection that it deserves with Shield.






or you can use Plasti-dip.

[CalgaryNissan]

The best thing you can do is to invest few hundreds dollars and have the entire front end of your Rogue including the mirror protected with clear 3M tape. All my three cars have it and it is the best way to protect your paint against chip and erosion. On our Rogue, I even did the bottom portion of the front doors as they get hit by a lot lot of snow and rock during the winter time. I'm sure you can find a professional detailing shops that offer such product and normally charge around $500.00 for the entire front end.

[Qashqai]

I finally bought a nose mask. It comes with two pieces. Since I already installed a plastic hood deflector, I am not goring to use the second piece. Yesterday I tried the big bumper piece and it fits perfectly. Now before long road trips, I will attach it. Otherwise, for everyday use, I think it is useless. Because every time it gets wet I have to remove it. It means I have to remove the licence plate and licence plate holder. I don't want to unscrew the licence plate holder, because it is screwed into the plastic bumper...no metal clips or anything!

By the way, the mask itself was $93, shipping $23..than tadaaaa brokerage fee and HST (tax) = $$45.

[philipa_240sx]

A slightly more expensive option, but it's permanent:

My wife's Mazda 2 has a new 'sprayed on' paint protection film (aftermarket, not OEM). It's basically a very thick clear coat that's applied directly on top of the factory paint. It conforms to every contour (unlike self adhesive films), and is nearly invisible.

Downside? It's only available via professional installers and is very expensive. About $600 for the Mazda2 which included the bumper, hood, fenders and door mirrors.

Sorry, I do not have a list of installers or even a product name as the Mazda dealership provided this service (via another vendor).