Rear bumper fascia protection

[srellim234]

I've been looking around for something to protect the top of the SL hatchback rear bumber from scratches when we're putting on golf shoes, loading the car, etc. I won't be putting it on my car right away but I did find one that will work for anyone else interested in such a strip.

The rear bumper protector from the 2005 or 2006 Pontiac Vibe can be cut down to fit. It's the right depth for the Versa bumper; it just needs to have the ends cut down. It's an adhesive application so no drilling or clips are required.

http://pontiac.carcareoutlet.c...6ce40

This strip is available through the GM dealers but they are charging the full $60 around here. I'm not endorsing the guys in the link; I just put it there so you could see what it looks like.

It's the only strip I've found that does NOT have the brand logo on it. The 2007 Vibe protector has the GM logo, Suzuki has their logo, etc. Only the 2005-06 Vibe one is clean.

As I said elsewhere: I really wish Nissan would offer one made specifically for the Versa.

[KimberKenobi]

Right... I'm lazy. Sorry.
Modified by KimberKenobi at 9:28 PM 7/19/2007

[Ever Victorious]

No, Kimber... this is the stuff that goes on the top surface of the bumper, right behind the tailgate, so if you accidentally drop something that you are putting into or removing from the hatch, you don't scratch up your bumper cover.

Good find, srellim!

[RetiredTexans]

Saw one made for the Tiida on their Australian web site under accessories. It appears to be attached inside against the back side and folds out over the bumper when needed. After use it folds back inside leaving the rear bumper surface as delivered. Check it out at this site http://www.nissan.com.au/tiida/accessories.asp.

[RetiredTexans]

PS Look under Bootlip Protector.

[srellim234]

I wish Nissan offered that bootlip protector here in the United States. Unfortunately, I don't think I can purchase one and have it shipped here to the United States for less than the $60 price for the Pontiac Vibe protector.

[jancary]

Check out bumperbib.com ( i think) Bought exactly what you are looking for for $7.95 plus shipping'Mounts with velcro, folds up and you unfold lay over bumper, works great.any other questions?[email protected]

[Martin Roy]

Wow, as a temporary bib, this seems like a good product. I think srellim234 actually meant a permanent mat, stuck to the bumper. But this is cool ! Actually, I will buy one. Thanks for the info and congrats to the inventor dad...

[srellim234]

Yes, I prefer a black pad that permanently sticks to the top of the bumper, but that Bumper Bib will work. It's basically the same thing as the bootlip protector that RetiredTexans pointed out.

I sent an email to the company asking about its durability under the pressure of putting on my golf shoes with my foot on the rear bumper, how well it fits into the Versa hatchback opening, etc.

Thanks to everyone helping me with this one.

[Martin Roy]

Keep us informed !

UPDATE: Well, for that price, I just ordered two of them. Both Nylon, one small (24 by 26) and one for SUV (36 by 26). That way, I'll be able to try both of them on the Versa and give the other one to my parents. I'll keep you informed
Modified by Martin Roy at 11:10 PM 7/22/2007

[srellim234]

Received a nice reply from Eric Stevens, president of Bumperbib, Inc. He suggests the nylon version. He said if the 26" turns out to be too large, return it for a full refund and try the 18" version they have available through performanceproducts.com.

He didn't have the issue # at his fingertips but he did say Golf Today Magazine suggested the Bumperbib for exactly the purpose I'm planning on using it for.

[srellim234]

I just ordered the smaller one in nylon, too. For under $13 including tax and shipping I don't think it's a very big risk. Looks like we'll both be reviewing these soon.

UPDATE: ordered last night, received confirmation of shippng and tracking number earlier today. Now let's see how long it takes to get here from 50 miles away.
Modified by srellim234 at 5:40 PM 7/24/2007

[srellim234]

Received it today. Great service.

Product is decent, but I'm not impressed with how it matches up to the car. The back of the velcro strip for the car has a pretty weak adhesive and the velcro on the product itself is just far enough away from the edge that it forces you to place the car-side strip where it almost interferes with the panel release access holes in the back of the car.

It also doesn't fold up very easily. It's supposed to roll or fold up, but the velcro for that is attached to the same side of the product at both ends, making it sloppy or cumbersome folding at best. I'll be adding my own velcro tape to it to make it a lot easier to handle and store.

As for protecting the bumper, it's going to be great. It lays over the bumper exactly as pictured on the website and it will definitely protect both the bumper from scratches and your clothes from a dirty bumper.

[CodeRed]

Pictures?

[srellim234]

Pictures?

I'll take a few in the morning.

[Martin Roy]

Ordered on the 22nd, no tracking number yet...

[versaspeed.com]

Working on something a little nicer............have a meeting with a company that can make something for me so stay tuned. This will fit on the top part of the bumper and be like what is on the Matrix or...I think the Murano has one to.

[Ever Victorious]

As always, Bob to the rescue!

[srellim234]

WARNING!

I still have to take pictures, but beware of installing the BumperBib using the velcro they provide. It is a VERY cheap grade with a very inferior adhesive.

The product worked for all of one day. In the southern California heat the velcro separated from the adhesive on the back of it. Now I have a BumperBib that doesn't attach to the car and an ugly yellow, messy, gooey strip in the back of my brand new Versa.

It will take a little effort to get the mess out of the cargo area without hurting anything. I senta blistering email to the president of BumperBib about this; I expect a reply when business resumes on Monday. I'll keep you posted.

The BumperBib itself is not the problem; the cheap adhesives they provide are. Once the mess is cleaned up I plan to reinstall it using my own adhesives.

[srellim234]

Working on something a little nicer............have a meeting with a company that can make something for me so stay tuned. This will fit on the top part of the bumper and be like what is on the Matrix or...I think the Murano has one to.

A strip on the top of the bumper is what I wanted in the first place. Are you working on an adhesive strip or a plastic/fiberglass one that will require drilling the bumper for clips? Personally, I would rather not drill.

Plus, if you are expecting a product within a matter of a few months I definitely will not reinstall the BumperBib and instead send it back for a refund.

[CodeRed]

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[srellim234]

More words of warning:

You can't tell about a company until there's a problem. I contacted BumperBib about the adhesive problem. Absolutely no response.

Despite the promptness of shipping, answering pre-purchase questions and promising easy return for full credit, as soon as I reported the issue they have clammed up. No replies to multiple emails.

[versaspeed.com]

Sorry it so long to get back to this but yes I agree with you and the drilling and will have them with double sided tape so no drilling required.Hope to have them done/in stock in about six to eight weeks........seems like everything takes that long.....dang it!

[srellim234]

Here is the copy of the email I sent through the support link at the BumberBib website back on July 28.

"On July 23 I ordered the BumperBib Nylon Auto 26" X 24" on order # 1539. I was impressed with the quick delivery. The product worked great for all of one day.It took some effort to install in my 2007 Nissan Versa hatchback because the back of the "trunk" area of the hatchback is not straight across and the distance from the edge of the BumperBib to the velcro strip barely fit without interfering with the access points for removing the rear panels of the trunk. Imagine my dismay when I went to use the product yesterday and found that in the Southern California heat the velcro had completely separated from the adhesive on the back of the velcro. I now have a BumperBib that doesn't attach to the car and a yellow, gooey line of adhesive stuck across the rear inside of my brand new car, which I've had for all of two weeks. I didn't like that adhesive before I put the product on the car; now I'm really upset that I went ahead and installed the product anyway. My immediate problem is cleaning the mess without wrecking the inside panel of the trunk area. Once that is done, I can reinstall the BumperBib using a better quality adhesive than the one you supply. TheBumperBib is not the problem; the cheap quality adhesive you supply is. I have already started warning the other members of the Nissan Versa forums about the problem. I was the first to receive it and was to give a thumbs up or thumbs down to other members, along with pictures of the product installed. I guess now I will post a picture of the yellow gooey mess across the back of my new car. Steve Miller"

I gave it one last shot with Eric Stevens, the president of BumperBib, contacting him using the REPLY button to our email exchange prior to my purchase of the BumperBib.

Here is what I sent:

"I'm sorry I bought the BumperBib and provided money to a company that thinks so little of it's customers that it will not respond to a complaint.I reported the problems right after I purchased it through the support link on your webpage and received absolutely no response.

I have a BumperBib that quit attaching to the car within 2 days of installation, a gooey yellow adhesive strip across the inside rear of my brand new Nissan Versa, and an unresponsive company.

Mr.Stevens, you were very quick to offer a full refund return if it didn't work. Nice empty promise.

I have passed the word at the Nissan forums about your failure to stand behind your product.

Steve Miller"Here was his response:

"Mr. Miller,

This is the FIRST I have heard from you, and these antics are not necessary. We do stand behind our products, and if written to, I would have offered you a full refund. I cannot tell you what happened with our support link, but I will not be subject to slander when you knew this way of reaching me worked.

I apologize for the problems you have had, and ANY of our customers that have EVER had problems received full refunds, and free product.

I would strongly advise you to rethink your postings. I will not stand for slander and will take every legal avenue available to us to enforce this position.

You refund will be posted today , provided you act like a person of sound mental health, or we are going to court. I do not take lightly to someone trying to destroy what we have worked so hard to create.

Good Day,

Eric Stevens "

Bottom line:

Mr. Steven says the support link didn't work.

Beyond that, I'll let everyone make their own judgements based on his response. Only other thing I'll say from this point forward is to let you know when I see the refund.

[Legacy40k]

I'm not sure how saying his product is good... but the adhesive (no doubt made by another company) is bad... is slander!?

His response is more slander towards the company! I too am looking for bumper protection as I often load a bike in and out of my hatch, based on your post, I would have been tempted to buy the product and simply use a different glue. Based on the president's response to you... I wouldn't even buy their product.

Though in truth, you probably should have copied your E-mail that went to the support link and sent it to the president first.

Thanks for the information.