Tape on front end for roadtrip...safe??

[stprorolla49]

I fully understand that none of these options look good but I don't give a ****. I just want the front of the car protected for very little money. I understand a bra may be wonderful or it may not, but I don't want to spend $80-100 on one to find out. And I understand the 3M clear bra wrap is wonderful, but again, I don't want to spend $300-500 to wrap my bumper that already has a few tiny little chips.

The thread is simply asking if it is safe to put the 3M tape on, which from what I've read on their website, as well as other people's personal experience state that its ok, and safe to use for up to 14 days on painted surfaces in direct sunglight. That is all I wanted to know. I'm not trying to be a dick about this, but I'm also not an idiot. I know all the options out there, I'm just looking for the most effective at the cheapest price to me.

Thanks for all the input! Maybe when I graduate college I can afford to fill the plate holes in the front bumper, get it sprayed, and get a 3M clear bra.

 

[biggbronco]

I bought my 95 in Burlington, NC and I drove it home to Columbus, GA. Despite being ridiculed by my friends about being anal, and looking silly, i used the 3" wide painters tape and i am glad i did! it came right off, no damage whatsoever. I'd do it again if the need ever rises. It's just peace of mind.

 

[earleys94gt]

The only issue with using the tape, would be removing any adhesive left over.

Some warm, soapy water and a soft sponge will take care of that.

 

[nmcgrawj]

I fully understand that none of these options look good but I don't give a ****. I just want the front of the car protected for very little money. I understand a bra may be wonderful or it may not, but I don't want to spend $80-100 on one to find out. And I understand the 3M clear bra wrap is wonderful, but again, I don't want to spend $300-500 to wrap my bumper that already has a few tiny little chips.

The thread is simply asking if it is safe to put the 3M tape on, which from what I've read on their website, as well as other people's personal experience state that its ok, and safe to use for up to 14 days on painted surfaces in direct sunglight. That is all I wanted to know. I'm not trying to be a dick about this, but I'm also not an idiot. I know all the options out there, I'm just looking for the most effective at the cheapest price to me.

Thanks for all the input! Maybe when I graduate college I can afford to fill the plate holes in the front bumper, get it sprayed, and get a 3M clear bra.

I wasnt trying to get u back to a bra.....i simply replied to those that had comments against a bra.

Good luck man, and if you need it, i just got some adhesive remover by 3M from autozone for $3 that kicks ass.

 

[stprorolla49]

I wasnt trying to get u back to a bra.....i simply replied to those that had comments against a bra.

Good luck man, and if you need it, i just got some adhesive remover by 3M from autozone for $3 that kicks ass.

OK, awesome, thanks. That's great to know. I always use lacquer thinner for any sticky residue, but the 3M stuff is probably safer.

 

[biggbronco]

goog gone works quite well for removing left over adhesives

 

[reddy351]

I just went to the Saleen club of America nationals in Colorado 3,000mi round trip and I used a bra that Saleen sold to fit the body work. It even had screens over all the openings except for the radiator and headlights.

It didn't cause any damage and probably saved about 100 rock chips!!, Wyoming and Utah had construction and there were plenty of rocks.
Not to mention it saved me from cleaning off thousands of bug's.

So why do you say it will cause more damage than tape or rocks??

I'm not here to start or maintain a pissing match. Do what you want to. It's your car.

I grew up working in my dad's body shop when the "bra craze" was in full swing. We did a LOT of work to repair the damage that was done by those things.

I don't care how good it is or how long you leave it on. When dust and dirt get down into the fabric that is supposed to protect the body, becomes just like a very fine grit sandpaper. As the now "sandpaper" rubs the paint, the "sandpaper" wins and the paint loses. You can even clean the bra and the debris will still be in there. (Ever buffed a car with different grades of polish? You NEVER use a pad that has been used for a course stage for a finer stage of polishing. Even if you wash it in the washer. That grit stays in there.)

That defends my point. Again, do what you want. See you at the body shop. Bring cash.

BTW--WD-40 and an old, plain t-shirt work best for tar, bugs and tape adhesive.

 

[stprorolla49]

Well I went ahead and taped it. I got the 3" wide tape which is great, and I only used like half a roll. So for 5 bucks, it gives me piece of mind that my car will be more protected than it was without the tape.

On a side note, I was driving to my girlfriends yesterday on my first leg of the trip, and a dude in a Porsche driving next to me just smiled and laughed.....then flew by me.

 

[94-302-vert]

It actually looks decent... you should have made it look like flames or scallops though...

 

[stprorolla49]

It actually looks decent... you should have made it look like flames or scallops though...

Hahaha I'm a freakin art major, why didn't I think of that!

 

[GTA_V6_Mustang]

Every year we have to take a trip from miami to flat rock NC and back in my girls 06 civic ex and when we go what I do is put saran wrap on the from bumper and front edge of hood and then just that black net they sell at advance for like $5 and never had a problem yet. Have made that trip 5 or 6 times since she got the car in 06. And since the net is over it you dont notice the saran wrap and there are zero worries about adhesive or anything since it just sticks to the paint itself.