Actually the Coastal Metals front bumper protector is very much different from that which I mentioned in the OP. Indeed, I used to use one of these CM parts. It is made from 1/8 thick metal and cut to the shape of the underside of the front bumper. It is bored with holes that match the bolts where the bottom of the front bumper lip attaches to the bottom pan, and that is it's method of attachment. The front edge of this 1/8 thick plate metal has a "clip on" steel-reinforced" black rubber piece. The rubber is not smooth, and the whole unit is more noticeable than the adhesive strip. When I had the CM protector, I was needing to remove it and straighten it a bit too often, and gradually the looks of the clip-on black rubber front edging became unacceptable. After several attempts to replace the black rubber with readily available products (all failed) I removed the CM product and replaced it with the stick-on strip described in my OP.

The CM piece did a great job of bumper bottom protection, and probably provided greater than the stick-on strip. But it did not look as "neat". The CM piece isn't really expensive, but it is a bit too much so to be considered a "disposable" item like the stick-on.

Thanks,
Richard

 

Got any pics dole?

 

Nope, no pics, and as the Coastal Metals piece is now off the car and gone, I can't take any.

Thanks,
Richard

 

I know RM racing use to make a front bumper lip protector which protected against scrapes, use to cost $100+

 

Just note that the Costal Metals lip protector fits AP1's and not AP2's. We ordered one for a buddies car (an '04) and it was not the same shape.

 

Never saw the RM racing protector in person or in pic. If anybody has a pic or a link, I'd like to check it out.

Personally, I was never totally satisfied with the looks of the Coastal Metals protector, although I did use it for several years, and it did protect the bumper bottom. For one thing the curves in the plate metal needed to conform with the curves in the bumper bottom were not very even. And, too much of the flat black finish on the metal plate showed between the bumper and the rubber clip on the front of the metal plate. Finally, the steel reinforced rubber clip on the front of the metal plate was far from smooth and finished looking, and it was sort of "wadded up" where it made corves and corners.

Clearly, my "stick on" rubber/vinyl strip looks much better.

Thanks,
Richard

 

I've had the CM protector for a year or so and it looks flawless. By adjusting the bolts accordingly, I have the rubber lined up perfectly all around with the bumper - no metal showing.

 

I guess I should drive more carefully I have a CM protector and it's so beat up it looks really shabby. The bumper cover can rebound from a hit better than the protector can.