Help. When is it too late to apply a sticker front bumper clear coat?
 

So I bought a clear coat sticker for the front bumper to protect from starches and nicks. I got it a while after getting my FRS and the front bumper already has many small starches and nicks. After looking at it Im worried that if I try to apply the clear coat stickers to the car it may not look good if I already have scratches and small nicks. It could cause a small bubbles or odd spots that are more noticeable than the nicks originally where.

Should I just put it on the best I can?

Should I take it somewhere and have them apply the coat?

Should I just keep it the way it is and just have the small nicks and starches on the bumper?

I'm really not sure what to do and I've been just holding on to the clear coat sticker trying to figure out what the best option will be.

I bought mine used and it has some scratches and dings on the front too. I've been thinking of just getting a new front bumper then putting a coat over it

That would be the most expensive last resort. I don't think it's so bad it warrants a full replacement.

You mean a clear bra? Be careful of the type you use, since some of the cheaper stuff is not UV stable and will turn yellow.

you will want to get the paint corrected before applying, or at least fix most of the deeper scratches and imperfections. small scratched will likely be unnoticeable. We really need some pics of what issues your front bumper has before we can suggest a course of action though.

Also, if you have no idea how to apply it yourself, get it professionally installed. It doesn't appear hard, but it's still an acquired skill that not everyone can do properly.

I have a clear bra and I love it but I wouldn't worry about it if it already has scratches and rock chips. If anything I would wait until the front bumper gets repainted for what ever reason.

I view these modern ABS bumpers as somewhat sacrificial anyway. For a few hundred bucks, I'll just replace it every five or ten years. Maybe they'll have a decent looking replacement by the time mine is cratered from all the Canadian semi-trucks with uncovered gravel loads. :-(

A twelve dollar Scion paint marker will do wonders in the meantime.

Where can one get a front bumper for a few hundred bucks? Does that include the paint job?

Shoot. You're right. The ones I was looking at were unpainted. Still, If anyone ever pulls their head out and makes a front bumper that looks less ricey than stock, I'll be all over it. I was quoted $400 to repaint a passenger side door at my local dealership, so I imagine a bumper would be nearly the same.

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