I have done the Blue Tape thing. It looks hideous, but gets the job done. I was wondering if anyone has tried Crystal Clear "Duck Tape". It is a packaging tape with a softer heavier feel.
I have also seen cars with large slabs of plastic sheeting on them. They looked like it was just slapped on - no professional install. Any idea what this product might be?
I used the carpet protector stuff this year at the Milwaukee Mile. It was $13 for a 24" x 50 foot roll at Home Depot. It goes on ugly. Semi clear with "low stick adhesive". I left it on overnight and I am still trying to get some of the adhesive off. Bug & Tar, Prepsol, Turpentine, Mineral Spirits, and Simple Green wouldn't touch it. Soapy water and lots of scrubbing seems to work best. 6 weeks later I still have some on nose of car.
3M makes a sheet roll that you can put on the front of your car, sides, wherever you want-that might be what you are looking for.
I personally got tired of the tape thing-did it the first year then gave up after that... If you see my vette, you will be able to tell Entire front looks like it's been sandblasted haha
If I had to do it over again I think I would have done the clear bra stuff by 3M or just put a bra on the car for HPDE days
First, reality is that you can't keep a car perfect and drive it ... let alone track it ...
I decided that I was going to track the Z ... and I accept the patina that comes with it ... wasn't quick enough to protect my rear ducts and they're pitted pretty well ... so it goes (had a 94 show car ... had more fun in one track day with the Z than 9 years showing concours with the 94 ... my priorities changed. )
Folks who have seen me know I do the blue tape thing ... 3" roll mostly. I tape the rocker panels and behind the wheels ... makes it easier to clean what with the rubber "marbles" that smear the car on the track. Also run with a bra on the front ... been good up to 135 so far ...
Wal Mart sells clear sheeting - 48" wide, by the yard, cheap.
Comes in three thicknesses, no adhesive, but is a "static cling" plastic ... I bought a few yards of the mid-thickness; threw some on the front of my car when I drove down to a car show, ... no issues. IMO, it will hold up fine, taping the edges where necessary, on the track.
__________________
^VIR Turn 3 '08^-MungoZ06-'03 QS/ModRed - NCCC, NASA NCM Member - Z06 Fest IV,V,VI,VII
Guy with a Viper said he uses something from Griot's (spelling) Garage that you paint on like rubber cement and it rolls off nice. My car looks like it's been fighting with a sand blaster.
I was never much into taping on my prior cars, and they came away fairly decent. On my first trip out in the Z in May though, I put a nice little gouge on the lower door. I decided to go heavy on the tape prior to the last event. It took me 20 mins. to tape the car with 3M 3" tape, and 10 minutes to peel it off. Without tape, it took me 1+ hour of scrubbing to get the car clean. I'm going to stick with the tape. It looks goofy and tends to come off during the day...but it makes a huge difference in the cars condition at the end of the day.
It depends whether by protect our paint you mean against gouges/chips or rubber marks.
I have 3M paint protection on all leading surfaces for over 4 years now and would do it again in a heartbeat. Areas just downwind from where the film stops are now starting to see wear but the film and area it covers are pristine. I show the car with the film on and it is rarely noticed.
To make cleaning easier post track I apply a liberal coating of Meguiars Final Inspection before hand: substitute your own top coat enhancer. This makes the surface very slick and I find 99% of rubber marks just wash off and leave a tiny amount that need a tar remover. Either way in about 5 minutes after a track day all evidence other than dirt is gone. Add a normal wash and I am done.
3M clear film on front bumper, first 1/3 of hood, headlight covers, behind wheels, rocker panels etc.
I did the tape thing the first year, the bra thing the second year. Now I just show up and drive. No damage so far, and I sure enjoy looking at my track pictures A LOT more now that it's not wrapped up like a mummy...
this worked out really well for me. that tape is expensive but it sticks well, and goes off easy. a little bit of adhesive that was left was easily removed by trurtlewax bug&tar
you cannot tell from the pictures that any protection is on the car (I also have 3m paint protection film on).
I have the clear bra and it works pretty good. You can see the hits where the plastic has done it's job, but the paint is still good underneath as far as I can tell.
What I need is something for my windshield that doesn't cost a million bucks. I just replaced the glass from a rock on the freeway. Went to T-hill on 24 July and took a big chip from someone going off track in front of me. It hasn't turned into a crack yet so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Even though the whole front of the car took a huge beating with all the rocks and dirt flying at me, the clear bra did it's job. Only the windshield has the big chip.
I remember reading about this gunk that paints on. It then washes off like soap. I wish I remember where I read about it. I guess it looks like gack but protects the car really well..
AutoForums.com is the premier network of enthusiast-owned
enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
We operate more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share
experiences and opinions as a community.
Entire front looks like it's been sandblasted haha
Linear Mode
