how to "tape" your car up to save rock chips on a trip?
 

Hey guys, i'm making a trip in the 500E to MD this weekend, its quite a whiles away from pittsburgh, and i don't want the 500E to get chipped up from rocks.

I've seen in numerous places people "tape" the front end of their mercedes to keep the rocks from chipping them. What kind of tape do you use? Do you use more than one kind and more than one layer? Is it hard to get off, will it damage? Give me the details :)

isn't duct tape a little too harsh to apply directly?

Not duct tape. Painter's tape (the blue stuff from 3M) will do the job without leaving a sticky residue, that's why painters use it. You want to apply the tape to the nose area and mirrors. Hey, be creative and fashion some blue flames while you're at it.

lol

heres what someone else suggested:

1 layer of low-adhesion masking tape

1 layer of blue masking tape aka "racers tape"

1. layer of duct tape

Leaves minimal residue which can be taken off with light application of goo gone

the simple way to go would be:

1 layer of blue masking tape

anyone agree or disagree?

i also apply a layer of carnauba on the leading edges of the car (hood, fenders, roof) before a long trip. Protects the paint from suicidal bugs ...

for longterm use, there is a transparent film that you can apply on those areas.

Since the tape is to be applied on the front of the car where there is a good source of heat, concerns me. Maybe no problem but I wouldn't leave it on too long.

Additionally, I read years ago where a good coat of wax that conatains paint conditioners helps keep the paint pliable and resistant to stone chipping.

How simply buying a mask/bra for the front end?

Haasman

has anyone here actually taped their car?

it seems like no one is speaking from first hand experience...

SHEEEEEEEEEEESH...don't tape your car...drive it and enjoy it...just try not to get behind any semi's and you should be fine...worrying about every little rock chip in life isn't gonna get you anywhere...

I respectfully disagree, especially since Hedpe has had a recent paint job. It doesn't hurt to prep a Mercedes for that infrequent highway trip, where the speed and distance substantially increase your chances of paint damage. A roll of painter's tape is not going to break anybody's bank, but a good sized paint chip on new paint might break your heart.

Of course we all run the risk of having the finish damaged just driving down to gas station or returning a video, but it makes sense to take extra precaution on a special trip. As for buying a "bra" or the 3M clear covers, that might be economic overkill unless the risks of the local environment justify it.

Hey, buy the bra! Something dark and sexy!

Seriously, they are going to drive it again sometime, somewhere. Plus, getting smashed bugs off a bra is much better than off the paint. Some bras has a built-in wind deflector tab that facilitates those little insects to fly over most of the windshield.

True story: the Porsche factory was one of the first to use car bras. A lot of people never understood why. Because originally each Porsche was test driven over 40km on public roads at high speeds prior to being signed-off as ready. They used the bras to protect them.

Haasman

Go to Victoria's Secret ... Get a Nice Bra!
 

Seriously, check out this film that Griots offers ... though I haven't placed any clear film on my car yet, I am considering this product ... http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1007&L3=L3_1090&SKU=77896

My Cali-Autobahn runs are definetely subjecting the front facia, fender flares and hood to sand, dirt and bugs ... just passed through a swarm of Bees (killer bees of course) on the Freeway ... Blat - Blat -Smack ... it wasn't pretty. The bodies did come off very easy as I have been waxing with S100 (Carnauba based) and wiping down with Meguiars' Final Detail (thanks Afshin!).

If you do go with masking tape as others have recommended (besides the bra, which I still think you need to buy - black), use a product like Giots' Speed Shine or Meguiars' Final Detail to wipe down the car once the tape has been removed. Speed Shine works great to remove 'crap' on painted surfaces ... I even use it to clean my Evo-IIs (damn MBZ brake dust!).

My $.02

Norm

I just switched the 190 over to PBR Delux pads. Wow, I can't blieve the difference. There is VERY little dust. In comparison, before one day of driving used to produce more dust than a whole week with the PBR's.

Haasman

Wow! Thanks for the heads-up on the brake pads ... I have to clean my wheels every third day or so. My back is killing me!

hedpe
 

where you headin' to in MD. might there be a chance ta connect up with the 500E possie here in NOVA ? you should come and check out the autoX on sunday :D email me drmspce@aol.com