Going on a roadtrip, need advice
 

Hey guys, I'm going on vacation to the Grand Canyon in about a week. It's going to take about 10-12 hours of being on the road. I'm excited to take my car, but I want to try and protect it from the elements as much as possible.

I was thinking about putting masking tape, or whatever people use for the track, on my headlights and bumper to prevent chips. Does this sound like a good idea? Is there anything else I can do aside from putting a bra on my car? Thanks

Avoid roads that you know will have debris and do not get behind dump trucks, semi trucks, etc. :iono:

I took my BRZ for a about a 7 hour drive (round trip) and had no issues :iono:

If you are going to use tape, I believe painter's tape is what you are looking for.

Good luck. Last time I drove back from Vegas, went through a huge sand storm.

Bring some quick detail spray and a glass cleaner and a couple towels for each. Specifically to remove bugs and bird bombs that you may encounter on your way. Keeping you car with a solid layer of wax or sealant is all that's really needed for daily driving and short road trips like this.

^This. I went on a 10 hour road trip and when I reached my destination I hit up a drive through (touchfree) wash and used some detailing spray on a microfiber to deal with the bug carnage. Do a real wash when you get home, it's like it never happened!

If you guys had clear bras you wouldn't have to fret :)
But I'd painters tApe it up and bring micro fibers and cleaning supplies like recommended. Drive safe!

http://cookingcharitychickseng.files..._car-13212.jpg

That should protect it...

You can buy the 3M Defender spray on bra at an auto parts store (Autozone has it) and do it yourself. You can leave it on on or peel it off when you are done with the trip. Make sure you get several coats on so it is thick enough to peel off. I had it on my car all last year and it worked great, streets, autocross, road-trips, track days, no chips. You wont even see it unless you look really close.

https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/...23476576_n.jpg

$10 at walmart and 15 minutes of your time

To each his own, but no way I'm driving my car around looking like that by choice. I want to enjoy my car and want it to look nice on the road. Yes, it might be susceptible to paint chips on a road trip, but it is at risk of paint chips any time I drive it.

I agree with the idea of just driving smart and sealing/waxing the car before the road trip. Maybe both, and/or an extra thick layer of wax.

-Z

P.S. I also removed the plastic from my sofa and my toddlers get it dirty sometimes.

P.P.S. I have no experience with 3M Paint Defender, but I would consider that over painter's tape.

If you normally wouldn't have installed a clear bra, I would just let it be.

It would get rockchips anyway from normal driving on the highway anyway.

But I would apply some opti-lens on those headlights. Grand canyon sun can do a lot of UV damage. And apply a coat of paint sealant on the front. When you get back, the bugs should wash off fairly easily.

I would put the tape on more for easy removal of bugs than anything else, as there will definitely be more bugs out in the remote areas, especially if you're driving past farms or ranches at 70+ mph. As for the windshield, clean it every time you stop for gas.

Protection against rock chips is a plus but, as it's been said, you'll get more rock chips driving locally than on a long empty highway. Just don't tailgate any trucks

What are good sprays to easily wash off bugs?I'm in the middle with finding good bug spray for the car then putting on painters tape.. i'm moving from Mass to Tx .. roughly 27-30hr drive .. So it will be a massive cemetery on my front ..