i have seen others do this going to car shows, but the blue painters tape that they use to tape off the front ends of their car during driving, does this hurt the paint or anything on our cars?
i was thinking about taping my 2006 front end when i go to shows just to keep some rock dings and such off, anyone else do this and what is your results??

 

I have vinyl stripes on my car, several of my rock chips have actually took off the vinyl and the underlying paint. I'm not sure how much painters tape would help with rock chips that large. Perhaps the glue may provide more cushioning. However, it sure would keep some of the smaller dings off.

 

This will not hurt the paint, and it is a great idea for days at the track, long road trips, or even making it quick and easy to take off burn rubber.

Some have gone all out in taping up the front bumper cover, half the hood, a-pillars, rear view mirrors, behind the front and rear fenders, etc.


I would say that your case is really rare. Most rocks that chip our cars are really really small. You have to be going really fast in combination with a huge rock to take of vinyl. The vinyl is a pretty thick mil.

 

It also helps keep bugs and tar off if it is a long drive to the show.

 

Sure is easier than cleaning all the bugs off which is the main purpose of using the tape. Dust, dirt and small debris from the highway shouldn't get through either but don't count on it doing too much for defending your car from stone chips. You can use the 3M tape (blue) or Painters Mask (Green). They are meant for interior use (obviously) and will stay in place for 7 days. Either can stay on for a few days in direct sunlight. However, it will get messy if the tape gets really wet (ie: driving in a rain storm).

 

Actually vinyl is not very thick. Automotive use vinyl is 2mil. It chips easier than you think and is more common on vehicles that are on the highway for daily commutes to work. When I had vinyl stripes on my car, the front bumper had several small pieces (chips) of vinyl missing and I never get up close to a vehicle.

 

50 miles a day commute, rocks find you.. big ones too!

 

A lot of autocrossers do it to avoid cone damage to their cars, but I have never bothered. I've got a few minor scars from cones on the Bullitt, but there is more (and worse) damage from 30k miles of street driving than from three years of autocrossing it. Maybe if I was autocrossing a six-figure exotic or a show-quality car with perfect paint I might consider taping the front end, but all of my cars are drivers, so I don't worry much about it.

 

Get a clear 3m Bra on the front of the Mustang and avoid taping altogether. You can get a kit for the hood, upper and lower bumper and the headlights.

 

It depends on your budget.....$10 for a roll of painter's tape or $600 for a clear 3M bra.

 

the 3m painters tape i already have. i have seen the clear bra and im not liking it much, yes i can see where it helps but i would assume that it is permanent correct? i wasnt going all out with the tape either. just the areas where there is a large amount of bug residue from driving to shows. thanks for all the help!

 

No, the clear bra isn't designed to be permanent, it is however designed to last for several years at least, and can be removed with no damage to the paint underneath.

 

Hey 08, that person would be me, covering my car that much .

Sin, check out the picture below. Its my car after an hour with a roll of 3M painter's tape. I was getting ready for my trip to the Mustang Club America show in Ontario Canada (I live in Southeast Pennsylvania). Its a 6.5 hour drive to Niagra Falls, where we were staying over for the night, and then another 1.5 hour drive to Ford of Canada, where the show was being held. As you can see by the picture, I covered the entire bumper, chin spoiler, and half the hood, with the fenders covered. I also added collison wrap (which is clear) to the front part of the roof, A-Pillars, mirror covers, and behind the front and back wheels! When I got there, NO chips, no bugs, nothing! And it made the drive up alot less stressful, as my stripes are painted and already have a chip in them which I touched up 2 years ago. I only go this extreme when I know I will be on the highway for an extended period of time (more than an hour). Trust me, it works and works well.

 

I can honestly say I have never seen or heard of this before, but it actually sounds like a good idea. I assume that the blue painters tape comes of pretty easily without harming the paint?

 

Furnature Wrap!! Basically a "Stretch-and-seal", task. A definate plus for heading off to Show's. Especially down here in Love-Bug season. Which by the way is NOW!!

 

Love bugs are no fun. If I had to drive through this again, I'd blue painter's tape it like it was my job!

Good thing a pressure washer made short work of this. Gotta love RejeX by CorrosionX

I wouldn't let the painters tape bake in the sun for long or get wet.

 

A picture is worth a thousand words!!!

Been there.........

Exactly why I use the Furnature Wrap when headed to shows.

I feel your pain!!!!!!!!!!

 

Doesn't hurt a thing! The tape is very low adhesion, and no problem removing. Been using it since I bought my car 2.5 years ago.

 

Dave, "Furnature Wrap"? Never heard of this. I used Collision Wrap, but it won't stick too well, and when it does, it has a tendency to leave a trace mark (which wipes off with polish). Where can I find this stuff, and what color is it? Thanks for the help on this.

 

Those are some nasty bugs!