$8 will save your paint at the track

[jknight]

I have had success with the following at my last 4 track events.

Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse (and probably other home improvement stores) carries what I believe they call polyethylene repair tape. This tape comes in a 2" width and is much thicker than packing tape and not quite as sticky. I generally use two rolls ($8 worth) and tape behind the rear wheels, the rocker panels, up about 6" on the doors, behind the front wheels and the entire nose up to just past the headlights.

It prevents damage from 'small' rocks, but mostly prevents the black marks that oil and little rubber track goobers leave on the paint. I have left the tape on for as long as 4 days (in 100 deg. heat). It leaves no residue and comes off easily (the warmer the conditions, the easier it comes off).

Every time I use it I find places where it would have been nice to apply some more and do so next time. I thought I would pass this information along to my fellow open trackers.

[N4C5S]

Great tip, thanks!

JC

[Social_Engineer]

Nice tip, but if you gotta do all that ... then why you at the track, shouldn't you be at the waxer shows ?

[jknight]

Waxer shows ... yeah right.

If you can save some paint for 8 bucks, why not. It's not like I'm racing T1 or anything, just a dozen or so track events each year. Someday I will probably want to sell the car and paint that's in good condition would be a plus.

[chrisj]

I also like to apply it over the turn lights.
My thought was it would keep them from cracking on the track. Also, I have had vettes run up on my tail when I was just beginning and those bright DRLs really had me distracted. No need to distract the guy in front of me.

Oh, and I put the tape on my rear brake ducts too. Trying to prevent more chipping! Black doesn't stand out that much on EB, unless I start doing the whole nose like jknight!!!
I don't know if I am ready for that yet, but it would have definately saved some chips and a lot of elbow grease getting the car clean!!!!
chris

[Redshift]

I do the same, with Racer's tape, but be careful - if the wind gets under and lifts it up, then little rocks or dust gets under there, it will flap around and scratch the paint. Happened to me just last weekend and now I have to get those buffed out.