Road Trip Damage Mitigation - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Mitch · 06-10-2012, 03:38 PM

I'm going to be putting 2000 miles on my BRZ in the first five days of ownership, and I was wondering what if any recommendations you have to protect the paint on the way down. I saw the thread a few years back where the guys completely covered an Audi S4 in painters tape (mostly for fun) when driving it cross-country. I'm wondering if it would be worth doing this to the front bumper for the trip down, or if I'd be better off just giving the front a gentle wash each day on the way down.

My biggest concerns are rock chips and insect innards. I'm picking the car up on Friday, so it may be a little late to get protective coatings / films arranged, and I won't have much time after picking up the car before I have to get it on the road. Still, I'll consider all recommendations.

For reference, I plan on autocrossing this car, so keeping the paint pristine isn't really goal #1. I just want to mitigate some of the damage.

michaelahess · 06-10-2012, 04:36 PM

Don't follow close to anyone. If a truck is coming at you, slow down a lot, quickly. If getting passed do the same, and also stay as far over to the right as safely possible.

Bugs don't matter, you can wash them off, they won't be on long enough to do any damage, the rocks are your enemy here.

Dave-ROR · 06-10-2012, 05:26 PM

Mine already has plenty of impact marks

painters tape can work though.

civicdrivr · 06-13-2012, 12:29 PM

Clear bra or painters tape.

But if the rock is big enough, the bra/tape wont do shit.

_hollywood · 06-15-2012, 08:00 PM

Im driving out west this summer and plan to put on 3k plus miles....debated on painters tape...but I figured whats the point ill just respray the bumper and add gt86 headlights in a few years...haha

I hate rock chips

kanundrum · 06-15-2012, 08:12 PM

Wax Your Front end really well

Then Plastidip your front end

When you are done

Peel off like An Onion

MmmHamSandwich · 06-15-2012, 08:15 PM

I never sported painters tape myself, but plenty of folks I've road tripped to meets with did. Some people managed some pretty creative designs.

06-10-2012, 05:26 PM	#3
Dave-ROR Site Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Drives: Stuff Location: Florida Posts: 10,317 Thanks: 955 Thanked 5,965 Times in 2,689 Posts Mentioned: 262 Post(s) Tagged: 8 Thread(s)	Mine already has plenty of impact marks painters tape can work though. __________________ -Dave Track cars: 2013 Scion FRS, 1998 Acura Integra Type-R, 1993 Honda Civic Hatchback DD: 2005 Acura TSX Tow: 2022 F-450 Toys: 2001 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, 1993 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1994 Toyota MR2 Turbo, 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 Parts: 2015 Subaru BRZ Limited, 2005 Acura TSX Projects: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited track car build FS: 2004 GMC Sierra 2500 LT CCSB 8.1/Allison with 99k miles

06-13-2012, 12:29 PM	#4
civicdrivr Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: 2018 Golf R Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,807 Thanks: 5,386 Thanked 1,095 Times in 647 Posts Mentioned: 68 Post(s) Tagged: 7 Thread(s)	Clear bra or painters tape. But if the rock is big enough, the bra/tape wont do shit. __________________ Parting out HERE

06-15-2012, 08:00 PM	#5
_hollywood Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: 97 itr sold Location: WI Posts: 565 Thanks: 183 Thanked 165 Times in 98 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Im driving out west this summer and plan to put on 3k plus miles....debated on painters tape...but I figured whats the point ill just respray the bumper and add gt86 headlights in a few years...haha I hate rock chips __________________ FR-S #56 of 86 Raven MT *FOR SALE*

06-15-2012, 08:12 PM	#6
kanundrum Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: 2013 Whiteout FR-S Location: Laurel, MD Posts: 5,364 Thanks: 2,704 Thanked 3,016 Times in 1,711 Posts Mentioned: 106 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Wax Your Front end really well Then Plastidip your front end When you are done Peel off like An Onion __________________ Ive spent most of my life racing... The rest I just wasted

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06-10-2012, 03:38 PM	#1
Mitch form follows function Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: RIP '13 BRZ Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 688 Thanks: 42 Thanked 234 Times in 122 Posts Mentioned: 7 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Road Trip Damage Mitigation I'm going to be putting 2000 miles on my BRZ in the first five days of ownership, and I was wondering what if any recommendations you have to protect the paint on the way down. I saw the thread a few years back where the guys completely covered an Audi S4 in painters tape (mostly for fun) when driving it cross-country. I'm wondering if it would be worth doing this to the front bumper for the trip down, or if I'd be better off just giving the front a gentle wash each day on the way down. My biggest concerns are rock chips and insect innards. I'm picking the car up on Friday, so it may be a little late to get protective coatings / films arranged, and I won't have much time after picking up the car before I have to get it on the road. Still, I'll consider all recommendations. For reference, I plan on autocrossing this car, so keeping the paint pristine isn't really goal #1. I just want to mitigate some of the damage.

06-10-2012, 04:36 PM	#2
michaelahess Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Drives: '13 GBS BRZ Lim, 2006 Dodge RAM MC Location: Wyoming Posts: 663 Thanks: 72 Thanked 148 Times in 98 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Don't follow close to anyone. If a truck is coming at you, slow down a lot, quickly. If getting passed do the same, and also stay as far over to the right as safely possible. Bugs don't matter, you can wash them off, they won't be on long enough to do any damage, the rocks are your enemy here.

06-15-2012, 08:15 PM	#7
MmmHamSandwich You know you want it. Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: '13 FR-S Location: RVA Posts: 705 Thanks: 160 Thanked 327 Times in 154 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	I never sported painters tape myself, but plenty of folks I've road tripped to meets with did. Some people managed some pretty creative designs.

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