how can i prevent stone chips on a long drive?
 

Hey guys,

I'm picking up my FD sometime this week or next and it'll be a bit over a 2hr drive back. I hate driving out into the country roads because of stone chips, bugs everywhere on the front bumper, etc.

Anyone have tips on how to prevent it? what I mean is, for example, I thought maybe I would buy automotive paint tape and just tape from halfway down the hood/fenders to the front bumper...just it's alot of work and taping haha

so seeing if there are any other similar methods...like I'm not gonna go tape a garbage bag on the front of my car haha...

would automotive tape be the best method?
I'm just concerned with the tape possibly damaging the paint due to heat, like while driving, the engine bay will be pretty hot...and not sure if that'll affect the tape covering the hood...

Painters tape...the blue stuff. Cheap and it won't stick hard to your bumper, won't leave a lot of residue either. Put a couple of layers as a single one won't do much.

^ one thing to look out for is the adhesive strength of the tape. I know someone who id that to his car before going down to deals gap and when he peeled it off of the car the paint that was used to fill prior rock chips pulled off with the tape:shocking:.

So be aware if you go that route. Unfortunately I do not know which strength he used. I would go with the weakest. Or just dont tailgate:nod:.


John

I've heard some people use that "press and seal" cling wrap stuff too....but not sure if that would hold. I think if you got a bit of air under there it would fly off.

oh, don't peel the tape off dry. Wet it down first..so you get it to peel easier. Same concept when using masking tape for spray painting.

With the painters tape he had we did wet it down and it made no difference as to how easy it was to peel off. I guess it just depends on what brand:dunno:.


John

If you want a more long term solution ask you local window tinter about clear shield.

hmmm..well that sucks. There ya go, proceed with caution. I wonder if you can put the press and seal down first then the tape over so you minimize how much actually touches the paint, except the edges where you overlap. Don't know.

Drive slow like a grandma :) I read somewhere rubbing WD40 on the bonnet and bumper prevents bugs from sticking to the paint but won't help with stone chips :( Your best bet is a car bra.