Road trip paint protection

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AHTOXA
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Road trip paint protection

Post by AHTOXA »

Alright guys, hang with me on this one. Maybe there are some ideas out there that will fit well.

As most of you know, this summer we will be having our 3rd annual SS meet in a yet undetermined location. Many of us will be making the long drive to get there and I will be no exception. I am expecting 650 one-way miles or so. This year, the Goat will be making the trip. With that in mind, I have a few questions.

The condition of the paint on my car is really good. I don't really have many rock chips if any at all and I would like to keep it to the minimum. I know that it will happen and I am not going to not drive my car because of this. However, driving 1400 highway miles will be noticeable.

I was thinking of means of protecting the paint on the way down and maybe back. I have seen people around the forums use painter's tape and mask the front end off. I don't want to do it because it would look like shit. I was thinking of a clear bra, however I do not want anything permanent on the paint either.

Any other suggestions?
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by theholycow »

Image

Edit: Or this if it needs to be tougher:
Image

Whatever you do I recommend testing it beforehand.
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AHTOXA
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by AHTOXA »

I bug removal spray will not stop a rock chip unless I tape those cans to the front of the car. Plasti-dip is out of the question. I will not paint the car.

Maybe I should clarify. I am looking to protect the mirrors, hood and the front fascia - basically all areas prone to rock chips.
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by theholycow »

The Bug & Tar shield is not a cleaner or for removing stuff. It is a film that protects the front end, a temporary clear bra. It's less aggressive than paint or plasti-dip.

Plasti-dip can be peeled off.
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by AHTOXA »

Will either hold against rock chips?
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by theholycow »

I suspect that the only things that will protect against rock chips are rather unpalatable - tape, a bra, or a thick coating of something like Plasti-Dip that will have to be peeled off.

They do make air/rock plows to put on the front of cars being towed behind motorhomes, but I'd sure hate driving with one of those tacked on the front. I'd rather just accept that my car is on real roads as I enjoy driving it and will have some real battle scars.
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by Rope-Pusher »

Just stretch a giant condom over it and cut holes for the radiator airflow. I could tell you where I buy 'em, but then I'd have to kill you.
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by theholycow »

Image
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by Rope-Pusher »

theholycow wrote:Image
Damn you Holy Cow! I took a shot at you, but it wen't right through and out the other side.
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by theholycow »

That's what the hole is for. It's better than armor.
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by AHTOXA »

I think you're shooting blanks there, sir.
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by Rope-Pusher »

AHTOXA wrote:I think you're shooting blanks there, sir.
No, the tadpoles are still wigglin' as far as I know, but you would think that by now some might have grown legs and hopped away.
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by comingbackdown »

theholycow wrote:Image
In this photo we see Mr. Richard Head. My advice to him: Wear a hat and no one will notice.
Image
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by 1974Alfa5spd »

Gee, the best thing that would be surely removable would be a bra. Sure, you could notice it, but you're going to remove it and throw it in the trunk once you hit WV, right? And it's for sure less permanent than aerosol spray-on bras. Sure it'll looks weird as all hell on the road, but hey, function over form, right?
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Re: Road trip paint protection

Post by AHTOXA »

The problem with the bras, is that they can move even slightly due to the force of the wind on the highway. That will swirl the paint. If there's dust that gets there during the drive, then it will be even worse.

The goat's not perfect and there are superficial scratches here and there but I don't want more of them.

This summer I'm gonna have to spent some time buffing the paint to get rid of the small stuff that's there already. Thankfully, after an inspection this morning I didn't see any scratches that I can't buff out.
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