Lip Spoiler Protection and Anti-UV Ray Window Tint

So one well known issue with the Nismo body kit for the E52 Elgrand is that, due to how low the front lip spoiler is to the ground, it is usually just a matter of time until it gets scraped up. 

 Having been warned by Ochiai-san at Omori Factory, I nevertheless liked the look of the Nismo kit, and thought it would be interesting to have a Nismo VIP Elgrand. But given the warning, I decided to apply some plastic plates designed especially to protect front lip spoileres and other aero parts.

The kit comes with three pieces, one for each side and one for the middle.

Faux carbon, as if anyone would look, and matching adhesive strips.

Since the front middle of the lip does not hang low, I only applied these strips to the lowest parts of the edges of the front spoiler.

UNFORTUNATELY... while this might protect against some scrapes, I quickly learned it does nothing to protect against impacts to the spoiler, which is what happened when I hit a pothole - a rare occurance in Japan, which is likely why I reacted too late.

The ipact even bent open the metal stay that supports the underside of the spoiler.

So after going to the dealer and getting a new front spoiler installed, this time I am experimenting with other aftermarket solutions.  One is this, these flexible rubber strips that you apply along the entire leading edge of the lip spoiler.  

From above, you can't seem them. However they still do nothing to strengthen the thin plastic, so I am going to have to experiment with this. I am thinking of some kind of spray-on expandable rubber foam, which I would apply to the backside of the spoiler, for example. Stay tuned.

Meanwhile, after being very pleased with the work that Takahashi-san at BlackCats Auto Detailing had done on both my Lexus IS-F and Skyline Nismo, I decided to take him up on his offer to install some high performace, anti-UV, anti-heat and anti-shatter IKCS Sylphide window film.  I asked him to darken the side and rear windows but keep the front and driver and passenger side glass only lightly tinted, which he did.  I think by Japanese law the maximum for the fronts is 70% light transmittal transparency (so they can only be darkened by 30%).

During the day, you can see the difference.

What is really interesting is that from the inside the windows do not seem to have been darkened at all. This isn't the best photo but as you can see the rear window is pretty dark, meaning cars following won't be able to see through as before.  And yes, even though the VIP Elgrand has those nice cloth curtains, why not add a bit more VIP-ness with darker tinted windows?