Anyone use removable self adhesive vinyl on your car?

[drivejumpfly]

I am in a pinch. Have to go across country to pick up a new car, and since the dealer and local shops want to charge $1300+ for a clear bra I am thinking about using some of this for the trip home with the car:

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Scrapbook...nyl/p/80941063

Does anyone know of any problems this will cause? I was going to stop by Walmart and get some black plasti-dip spray and spray all of the non-plastic panels on the front end but someone suggesting trying that vinyl. I am also open to other cheap solutions. I just need something for the long trip to prevent rock chips in the paint. I will have a known shop install the full clear bra after I get home.

[Magyarman]

buy a BRA for your car

[new2subaru]

You could use some sort of track tape. I don't know anything about this particular brand but you can so a search. Car protection film.

https://www.amazon.ca/TrackArmour-TA.../dp/B07F3CN5CY

[bcj]

Contact paper for shelves ought to work temporarily.

[drivejumpfly]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

You could use some sort of track tape. I don't know anything about this particular brand but you can so a search. Car protection film.

https://www.amazon.ca/TrackArmour-TA.../dp/B07F3CN5CY

If you lived near me I would buy you a meal for this information. Thank you a ton for this information! I only thought about blue painter's tape but this is excellent!

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by drivejumpfly

I am in a pinch. Have to go across country to pick up a new car, and since the dealer and local shops want to charge $1300+ for a clear bra I am thinking about using some of this for the trip home with the car:

https://www.hobbylobby.com/Scrapbook...nyl/p/80941063

Does anyone know of any problems this will cause? I was going to stop by Walmart and get some black plasti-dip spray and spray all of the non-plastic panels on the front end but someone suggesting trying that vinyl. I am also open to other cheap solutions. I just need something for the long trip to prevent rock chips in the paint. I will have a known shop install the full clear bra after I get home.

or just get a few rolls of blue tape. i know that won't mess anything up. can give your car an awesome flame paint job too!

[Desertnate]

Originally Posted by new2subaru

You could use some sort of track tape. I don't know anything about this particular brand but you can so a search. Car protection film.

https://www.amazon.ca/TrackArmour-TA.../dp/B07F3CN5CY

I've used this a couple times on other cars for both road trips and autocross events and it's worked out pretty well.

My one tip for a long road trip is to make sure to take your time and ensure the ends of each strip of material is smooth and is firmly adhered to the painted surface.

Anything that comes loose will start to flap in the wind and will actually cause marring on the paint from the impact. Nothing you can't polish out easily, but not great nonetheless.

[drivejumpfly]

Originally Posted by Desertnate

I've used this a couple times on other cars for both road trips and autocross events and it's worked out pretty well.

My one tip for a long road trip is to make sure to take your time and ensure the ends of each strip of material is smooth and is firmly adhered to the painted surface.

Anything that comes loose will start to flap in the wind and will actually cause marring on the paint from the impact. Nothing you can't polish out easily, but not great nonetheless.

This is 100% correct. I had to rush to put it on the car and this is exactly what happened. I ran out of time so I couldn't put a final "sealing" layer on some of the edges so there weren't any wind facing edges. Even though I had that problem, it still protected my car way better than nothing. I was caught in a sand storm in southern California on the trip back. I thought about putting more on after driving 7 hours but I didn't want to stick sand into the paint. I will post some pictures later when I have a chance to take some after pictures. This was the best $50 I have spent to temporarily protect a car. I have a whole new level of respect for people that know how to wrap cars. Granted I was working with 6" strips, but man it took me 2 hours to cover the front end and it looked terrible!

[Desertnate]

Originally Posted by drivejumpfly

This is 100% correct. I had to rush to put it on the car and this is exactly what happened. I ran out of time so I couldn't put a final "sealing" layer on some of the edges so there weren't any wind facing edges. Even though I had that problem, it still protected my car way better than nothing. I was caught in a sand storm in southern California on the trip back. I thought about putting more on after driving 7 hours but I didn't want to stick sand into the paint. I will post some pictures later when I have a chance to take some after pictures. This was the best $50 I have spent to temporarily protect a car. I have a whole new level of respect for people that know how to wrap cars. Granted I was working with 6" strips, but man it took me 2 hours to cover the front end and it looked terrible!

When I'm using this stuff, its is certianly function over form. It isn't pretty, but it pays for it self in the protection from sand, rocks, and high speed bug impacts on a long trip.

If I was to do it for road trips again, I think I'd get at least at least two different widths and see if it would make life a little easier.

[drivejumpfly]

I agree. I would use the 6" and 12" ones.

I am actually shocked about the cost of a clear bra - $1100 for a partial, and $2100 for a full front end install. I don't want to use the track armor continually, but I may have to because that is the cost of an exhaust and an AccessPort. Plasti dipping the entire front end of the car is starting to sound like an option again.

[drivejumpfly]

Here is my disaster after driving 1400 miles:

[drivejumpfly]

I did all of that work just to end up with what is probably a totaled car due to hail damage:

[bcj]

Mt. Rally time. Can't lose now. It's Pre-Disastered!
Aero skin treatment too.

Sad for you. Should be in compensation packages for the midwest, but usually not.

[soundman98]

Proof to just stop worrying and enjoy cars as they are. It's just a thing, and it comes and goes as easily as a happy meal.