Thoughts on road trip tape-up jobs..

I've got a buddy who just purchased an '07 M Coupe in California. In about a week he'll be traveling out there from Georgia to pick it up and drive his new baby back home. He's found certain threads floating around on the interwebs about taping up the front end as a preventative measure from rock chips, etc.

My question to you all, is there ANY benefit at all to this, or is it generally a waste of time.....and quite frankly, just stupid looking as well?

 

there is some benefit, the fact it will prevent sand blasting from other cars, but it will not protect from larger projectiles, instead of chipping it will just dent it.

 

the other added benefit, is that youre not going to have bugs embedded in your paint, no tar, etc etc, anything that an un-tapped car would inevitably catch on the front end.

as for the chips, you can layer the tape so that the damage will be minimal if not next to none.

theres two ways it can be done..... a hasty job.... which doesnt look so well done(obviously) and it can peel off rather quickly. and then the neat and clean job where it presents to everyone that it has a purpose and is working.

the great thing about using blue/green painters tape, is that it leaves very little adhesive behind which a quick wash can get rid of.


Another great thing is, if you are creative, or just run into people who ask about it, you/them can take markers and doodle all over the tape. and then when youre finally at your destination..... it peels off

 

I used to do it all the time. How can it not be wise to tape the whole car? It works.

 

It definitely works, though you might want to try a couple layers on the areas prone to more direct hits. But DEFINITELY worth the few dollars and the hour or so. Don't forget the roof leading edge and the A pillars/mirrors too.

 

make sure the tape end does not go against the air flow... cars behind you do not enjoy ribbons of masking tape flying towards their wind shield

 

also get different widths as well. Like 2" and 1", ive even seen guys just buy a huge sheet of vinyl and do it that way, easier, and just as ugly LOL.

 

TRANSPORTWRAP will provide your vehicle with a temporary layer of protection to preserve your automotive exterior finish during transport or a long road trip. Even if you are planning to transport your vehicle via enclosed carrier, our product can provide additional protection from unnecessary scratches or fluid dripping from a vehicle stored or stacked above. You can also apply it around door edges, key entry lock, fender edges, etc. for added peace of mind during open/enclosed transport.

The manufacturer recommends it be left on for a maximum of 30 days; these conditions are involving direct sunlight and moving at high speeds above 60mph. If you are putting the vehicle on a boat and it will occasionally not be in the sunlight I have seen it last longer than that without issue. Transportwrap has a low tack adhesive designed for not only easy application, but also very easy removal. We use a rubber based adhesive that is just strong enough to resist edge lift during transport (high wind speeds) but can easily be removed without leaving any residue nor pulling up any automotive decal vinyl that is securely on.
• Simple pressure sensitive application
• Re-applicable
• Adheres evenly over contours
• Resists edges lifting during transit

Specs: thickness - 3.0 Mil, colour white, size-contours of vehicle24 inches x 20 feet, adhesive - rubber with edge lifting resistance. Durability - Protects up to 1 Month / 30 Days on Vehicle

Note: an average size sports car requires a single roll, which covers and protects the hood, roof and trunk. 2 rolls will also cover the sides of the vehicle (minus the wheel wells) and three roles will allow you to cover the remainder of the vehicle (front/rear bumpers, spoilers, etc.). Vehicles vary in size and shape. Please note that even dealerships do not cover the entire vehicle

Groit's were doing a temp clear stick-on paint protection for awhile, check their website

 

^ Thanks for the heads up on the Griot's stuff.

I appreciate all the replies, guys! You've definitely changed my personal opinion on the matter a bit, and I'll definitely pass along the information to my friend.

 

I have taped my car for a 2000mile trip. It saved my ass from sand blasting.

Pics and more suggestions will come later from me.

 

LOL.............. that is great. I remember a girl on Clublexus wrapped her entire car in blue painters tape and drove it from east coast to the west.

 

I'd tape it up. You have nothing to lose but time and a roll of tape..

 

This is what my car looked like after driving from Minneapolis to Orange County, CA (2000 miles and 36 hours).

I had to retape my hood in Denver because I didn't take my time and should have learned my lesson in taping from the back to front to keep the tape from pulling away.



*Tip - When driving on the freeway keep a distance of at least 1/8 mile from semis. Trucks throw and drop a lot of rocks, pebbles, and debris. This distance drastically reduces the likelihood of getting pinged and dinged.

 

Another alternative that I have not used, but I guess is worth mentioning if you want to avoid the blue tape mess is "tracwrap". It is not anywhere near the price point of a couple of rolls of painter's tape.. but its an option lol.

 

I used to do it when driving from TX to CA. Keeping the bugs off alone is worth it. Now I use a car bra though that I bought to save time and effort.

 

that looks much cleaner although some of those tape jobs are funny. u got GTR rims on the FX?

 

Indeed I do, but how did you notice?

 

I wonder when the wolf chemicals spray on clear bra will be available in the states.
Very neat product.
New product coming soon - Spray on Clear Bra - - Detailing World -

 

Save the tape for polishing use this:
Protective Film : New Car Paint Protection : Paint Protector : Automobile Paint Protection : BuyRoadWrap.com

I recently purchased a new car but before I decided to go new, I was going to by a CPO's car in the Maryland area. I researched this product and was going to use it. Easier to apply that tape. Most likely cheaper, easier to take off and this was what it was designed for.

Either will work, but you dont have ot go down the road with blue tape on your car!

CAUTION:
NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO LOOSE MATERIAL FLAPPING IN THE WIND. I HAD A 1987 SUPRA TURBO I DROVE TO FLORIDA AND THE "FAKE" LEATHER BRA WAS NEW AND THE CONSTANT BUFFETED IN THE WIND HAD WORN THE PAINT AWAY! GOOD THING I PROTECTED IT!