Bonnet protector

[Kimg]

Hi everyone can anyone recommend a bonnet protector for my grey t6?
As everything it’s a bit of a minefield!
Thanks in advance

 

[dspuk]

I had one and took it off in the end. It looked great initially but the black started to look worn quickly and it was an absolute pain to remove the tape afterwards.

Now prefer without. This is the one we had.

Full Width Black ABS Bonnet Protector - VW T6 T6.1 2015-2024 - Vanstyle

www.vanstyle.co.uk

 

[colintfcolintf]

they can do more damage to paintwork than they do good

 

[WelshGas]

Hi everyone can anyone recommend a bonnet protector for my grey t6?
As everything it’s a bit of a minefield!
Thanks in advance

Had a Leatherette and Perspex on my California. Both removed. They collected dirt and rubbish and just looked trashy after a while.
If you want protection then Protective film professionally applied is best.

 

[Kimg]

Oh wow thanks for the advice guys!!
Does anyone have a protective film on?

 

[JohnCalifornia]

I had one on mine when I first bought it. Removing it was the first job I did. The fixings that fix it to the bonnet did minor damage to the paint work. Luckily nothing too serious but plenty of T cutting and now you can’t tell it was even fitted. If you are bothered about damage get the PPF fitted. You could even buy say a 4 or 5 inch x 2m strip from eBay and attempt to fit yourself.

 

[JohnCalifornia]

I much prefer the look without it

 

[acer]

I suppose these bonnet bras are supposed to protect from stone chips etc. But what do we all think about just regular reapplication of polishes etc. It must get you half way there?

 

[WelshGas]

I suppose these bonnet bras are supposed to protect from stone chips etc. But what do we all think about just regular reapplication of polishes etc. It must get you half way there?

Mine lasted 10 yrs and many, many miles with only a few stone chips that were touched up immediately.

 

[TripleBee]

I did nothing to my bonnet, and after 15 years, there are a few stone chips, but with a small touch up pen, you can only tell when you are looking very closely.
I would go with the clear protection film, but that you will have to change every few years because of fading, getting loose at the corners, stone chips, ...
It's up to you to decide.

 

[dspuk]

I suppose these bonnet bras are supposed to protect from stone chips etc. But what do we all think about just regular reapplication of polishes etc. It must get you half way there?

Exactly this. I fitted one because I saw a pic on one and thought it looked cool. I was under no illusion it was actually going to protect anything. If you go and look at any Cali of many various ages the one thing you won't see if a stone chip peppered bonnet. It's FUD.

 

[Kimg]

Thanks for everyone’s reply’s!
Definitely not going with the bonnet bra now, to be honest I just kind of liked the looked but wouldn’t want to risk causing damage!

 

[Fish111111111.]

PPF is the only way (paint protection film) Mines been on two years now , no bonnet damage, bugs etc clean of easily. Fitted by Tom at TDK detailing Basingstoke see my picture of van just after fitment. Best decision ever although not cheap, but what is?

 

[Kimg]

PPF is the only way (paint protection film) Mines been on two years now , no bonnet damage, bugs etc clean of easily. Fitted by Tom at TDK detailing Basingstoke see my picture of van just after fitment. Best decision ever although not cheap, but what is?

That’s handy to know just down the road from me thanks!

 

[Keith Smith]

We had the protection film fitted to our previous Cali and at 5 years old the film was still in good condition. We’ve just had it fitted to our new van and I don’t think this is as good a job, only time will tell. First time we had the wing mirrors done as well, this time we had the whole front of the vehicle wrapped, it cost about £1000 but we live rurally and the country lanes take a toll on the paintwork so worth it for us.

 

[acer]

We had the protection film fitted to our previous Cali and at 5 years old the film was still in good condition. We’ve just had it fitted to our new van and I don’t think this is as good a job, only time will tell. First time we had the wing mirrors done as well, this time we had the whole front of the vehicle wrapped, it cost about £1000 but we live rurally and the country lanes take a toll on the paintwork so worth it for us.

At £1000 I’d be looking for ways to protect the protector

 

[Tycho]

This summer i spent a day or two to repair stone chip damage. Must have been about 30 to 40 chips all over the bonnet and rooftrim, i didn't made any repairs on the plastic bumper front and mirrors.
First owner did not bother about it. Ours is an 2006 cali with 300.000km done. Some form of protection can be nice, might also depend on your driving style and countrys you want to visit.

 

[Wannabecamperman]

I much prefer the look without it

Indeed. Sone of the bonnet protectors actually damage the aesthetic more than any amount of stone chips would.

 

[Stu@rt]

Bonnet Bra for me. I take it off regularly to inspect underneath.

 

[acer]

Bonnet Bra for me. I take it off regularly to inspect underneath.

I tell my wife something similar.

 

[wildslammer22]

I find a thick film of mud protects the appearance of my Cali very well. The paintwork does have a ceramic coating which may or may not have helped. I need to try and polish out some tree rash along the entire length of the drivers side when I do get around to cleaning it…

 

[acer]

I find a thick film of mud protects the appearance of my Cali very well. The paintwork does have a ceramic coating which may or may not have helped. I need to try and polish out some tree rash along the entire length of the drivers side when I do get around to cleaning it…

Tree rash?

 

[wildslammer22]

Tree rash?

Light scratches caused by overhanging trees/bushes when driving on a narrow ‘green’ lane.

 

[acer]

So, less “Go Faster Stripes” and more “Go Farmer Stripes”

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

I recall comparing my F type with a boy racer at work who had an M4. His bonnet was totally trashed and mine was new. At first I thought it was a dodgy paint job until one day he tailgated me out of work and for a couple of miles afterwards.

You can always spot the tailgater's by their bonnets.