my car just got sprayed and i'm planning on taking a trip very soon. I've seen people use some sort of tape or sticker on the front end of their car to not get paint chips on the front end? I've seen it most from people that are road racing or the like. If anyone knows where i can get some, or if its just vinyl sticker i'd really appreciate it. thanks

 

You might be refering to painters tape. It's low tack, and I get it at Lowes or Home Depot.

I generally get the "Shultz Blue" color. It gets people's attention when I want a passing signal...

 

There is also this more permant way to solve this issue. 3m makes a product that is designed to replace the Car Bra. What it is is a special thin plastic film that they put on the first few inches of your hood. It is so much better then a car bra because it does not collect water which then rusts and oxidizes your paint, doesn't mask any other areas up from the sun which on a car bra results in tan lines for your car. 3m also has these for your headlights which prodect against rocks.

 

The clear tape that you refer to is called "helicopter tape" as I think it is used on the leading edge of 'copter rotor blades. Quite common on formula cars, etc. to cut down knicks from impacts as they can casue not only damage but parasitic aero drag. I know aero drag from paint chips sounds silly but as a kid I crewed at a sailplane national championships and it was important to not only get the bugs off the sleek gliders but it was my first experience with a chamois as even dried water spots could cause some amount of aero drag that could effect performance.

I know Truechoice sell helicopter tape so I'm betting Pegasus and other racer supply companies do as well. I've not used the stuff myself so I can't contribute on price, longevity or ease of installation.

 

You might want to look into Laminex (think that is the spelling) - its a protective clear coating that IIRC is removable.

 

That helicopter tape is so damn expensive its almost funny. Masking tape for me works fine.

 

3M Clear Bra. A friend of mine just had it installed on his new 330ci. You can just barely see the line on the front 1/4 of the hood. Good stuff for a new paint job.

 

thanks for the many responses guys, i appreciate it. I think I'll be looking into the painters tape and also the 3M clear bra. thanks again!

 

Make sure you avoid the protective film that tends to yellow with age, I don't remember exactly which one it is. There's several different companies that make the protective film sheets, the key is finding an experienced installed who'll do a clean job.

 

3m is good stuff, but a cheap "weekend only" solution is clear shelf paper from Home Depot. It is clear mylar on a 24" wide roll with a low tack adhesive that comes off easily.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Track rat &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">3m is good stuff, but a cheap "weekend only" solution is clear shelf paper from Home Depot. It is clear mylar on a 24" wide roll with a low tack adhesive that comes off easily. </TD></TR></TABLE>

that is exactly what i'm looking for. thanks, ill be looking for that today

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MaddMatt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You might be refering to painters tape. It's low tack, and I get it at Lowes or Home Depot.

I generally get the "Shultz Blue" color. It gets people's attention when I want a passing signal...</TD></TR></TABLE>

"Low Tack".... HAHAAAA!!! Just ask Crack Monkey about how "low tack" that stuff was coming off of his Caprice.... hehe...

Dan

 

Dan, i dont think you're supposed to apply it to a rusty bucket

 

Someone should've told Al that....

Dan

 

Man, Phat-S beat me to it. I have the stuff on my entire front end, top and front of my bumper, on my hood 8 inches up, small strip on my rear bumper, tail lights, head lights and practically covering my entire cage. The stuff is great and stays nice and shinny. Check them out http://www.lamin-x.com