Tape on front end for roadtrip...safe??

stprorolla49 · Aug 26, 2009

I am taking the 900 mile drive down to Savannah next week for school, and I don't want to make the same mistake I made with my '95 where it got destroyed with rock chips. Is blue painters tape safe to leave on the car for 2 days while driving down in the sun? It says on the 3M website it is safe to leave on for 14 days even in direct sunlight, but I want to make extra sure. It's probably going to be in the mid-high 80's driving down so I wanna make sure the tape doesn't bake onto the car. The bumper will be freshly waxed before I apply the tape if that makes any difference. I plan on doing the front bumper, front of the hood, side view mirrors, and behind the wheel wells. Anywhere else? Thanks.

yukisho · Aug 26, 2009

I would think that it would be fine. I had the tape on my car from my new windshield for 4 days and it was fine. I would wax it after you get down there though, just to play that safe.

desertcox05 · Aug 26, 2009

A rock at 80 mph is not even going to know the tape is on there.
You'd be better off getting a bra for the trip

reddy351 · Aug 26, 2009

And a bra will do more damage than the tape or the rocks will.

You can double up (or even triple) the layers on the leading edges. Although it's true that a direct hit from a rock at 80mph will do damage no matter what, you can minimize the damage by having the tape on there. (And with no tape at all, it will be BIG damage.) Might want to do the leading edge of the hood, too.

yukisho · Aug 26, 2009

I'd go buy like 2 of the large rolls of tape and use it all if your that worried.

stprorolla49 · Aug 26, 2009

I mean I'm not like paranoid that the car is going to self destruct if a pebble hits it. I just want to protect it against small rocks, road debris, and bugs. I'm not spending like $100 on a bra to use for 2 days. I think a roll or 2 of tape should be fine.

reddy351 · Aug 26, 2009

stprorolla49 said:
I mean I'm not like paranoid that the car is going to self destruct if a pebble hits it. I just want to protect it against small rocks, road debris, and bugs. I'm not spending like $100 on a bra to use for 2 days. I think a roll or 2 of tape should be fine.

It sure will be funny to see it going down the road, all taped up. A roll or two should suffice. Buy the 2" (or even 3") stuff, though. You dont want to be taping/untaping all day.

yukisho · Aug 26, 2009

Take pictures though. Would love to get a few laughs out of it.

stprorolla49 · Aug 26, 2009

Yes, pics are a must.

Nik_95Cobra · Aug 27, 2009

yukisho · Aug 27, 2009

That sir is funny as hell.

Venom351R · Aug 27, 2009

I went from FL to Maine and didnt suffer any rock chips on mine. That was about 1,500 miles. Just dont tail gate people

stprorolla49 · Aug 27, 2009

Venom351R said:
I went from FL to Maine and didnt suffer any rock chips on mine. That was about 1,500 miles. Just dont tail gate people

I'm sure the old car suffered it badly because of the amount of trips I took back and forth, but I just want to make extra sure nothing happens. $8 or a roll is enough insurance for me.

nmcgrawj · Aug 27, 2009

Well how many more years of school do u have? And how many times will the car go back and forth?

Because 10 trips = $80....which is a bra. And a bra will last forever so any future road trips u make after school u will be covered.

Just something to think about....

Adam95GT · Aug 27, 2009

****ing Jersey Vdub owners...

stprorolla49 · Aug 27, 2009

nmcgrawj said:
Well how many more years of school do u have? And how many times will the car go back and forth?

Because 10 trips = $80....which is a bra. And a bra will last forever so any future road trips u make after school u will be covered.

Just something to think about....

I have 2 more trips left so for $15 total for 2 rolls, it's not worth buying the bra. I do appreciate the suggestion though, if I was starting freshman year I definitely would but I am going into senior year and money is tight as it is buying this car. I don't wanna leave college cause it's too much fun. but I can't wait to get out and make real money.

S351Saleen77 · Aug 29, 2009

reddy351 said:
And a bra will do more damage than the tape or the rocks will.

I just went to the Saleen club of America nationals in Colorado 3,000mi round trip and I used a bra that Saleen sold to fit the body work. It even had screens over all the openings except for the radiator and headlights.

It didn't cause any damage and probably saved about 100 rock chips!!, Wyoming and Utah had construction and there were plenty of rocks.
Not to mention it saved me from cleaning off thousands of bug's.

So why do you say it will cause more damage than tape or rocks??

94GTCoupe · Aug 29, 2009

i think if a bra is left on long term,dust and moisture will get between the bra and bumber and really screw up your paint.
however,short term,it may be ok.
not sure though i never used one,i think those bra's look kinda silly.
like i always say,just take your bra off.

S351Saleen77 · Aug 30, 2009

davis3 said:
i think if a bra is left on long term,dust and moisture will get between the bra and bumber and really screw up your paint.
however,short term,it may be ok.
not sure though i never used one,i think those bra's look kinda silly.
like i always say,just take your bra off.

Exactly!!! If left on it can cause damage because of dirt and moisture...but you just put it on make the trip and take it off.

I drove 1500mi in 2 days took it off for the show, put it back on and drove 1500mi back. It totally saved my paint. Best money you could spend for road trips with your car!!

Here's something that that might be interesting! Disposable front end protection from Griot's Garage.

Surface Protection Film Roll - Everyday and Storage - Car Maintenance - Griot's Garage

nmcgrawj · Aug 31, 2009

davis3 said:
i think if a bra is left on long term,dust and moisture will get between the bra and bumber and really screw up your paint.
however,short term,it may be ok.
not sure though i never used one,i think those bra's look kinda silly.
like i always say,just take your bra off.

lol it "may" be ok short term? Im pretty sure tape would "abuse" the paint more than a bra in the length of time we are discussing.

The ONLY bad thing about a bra is the price. The only protection that doesnt look bad is the clear 3M type stuff....but im not sure how much protection that actually offers. When in a thread talking about using blue tape....im not sure how we can even discuss a black leather bra not looking "good"

Its clear the bra would offer the most protection for road trips.

Tape on front end for roadtrip...safe??

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