i took a trip to chicago and back a few months ago, and i regreted not doing this. i dont plan on installing a clear bra, so i thought the blue painters tape would be a good idea. has anyone done this? plan on putting it of course on the bumper/lip, directly behind the wheels, and also on the mirrors. not sure how this stuff would hold up in the rain, i'm sure i'll go through some in the 900 mile trip. any input would be great!

 

i have done it lots of times. looks a little stupid but thats not important. im not sure about the rain i havent ran into any with it on. but i imagine it would be fine.

 

i could imagine it looks goofy, almost like a test car

when you took it off, was there a lot of gum left behind on the paint?

 

What? Why?

You bought the car to drive it and you're covering it in painter's tape? Jesus, I'd hate to see what you would do with a luxury car...

 

I put 2" blue masking tape on my front lip (only the lower portion) to protect it during the install. After completing it looked pretty good and really didn't think anyone would ever notice that it wasn't blue paint. Decided to leave it on for a few days until I was sure a could remember to park a few inches away from curbs. I've since taken it off with out any sticky residue remaining on the bumper. This might not be true if the tape had remained in place for weeks or months.

 

If you're not planning on the clear bra, but take long trips often, I would consider getting the regular bra from Pep Boys and use it during the long trips only. At least that would give you better protection. But as you probably know, ppl use the blue tape to protect the paint all the time when tracking cars, and it comes off very easily.

There is also racer's tape, which is a type of cloth tape, similar to duct tape, but the glue is not as bad since it's made to be used on race cars. It's much thicker than the blue tape, and comes in different colors. Some ppl claim that if you wax the car well before putting it on, it will come off easily.

I used it to protect headlights and part of the front end on an Integra that wasn't waxed and it left glue residuals, but not as bad as duct tape. This was at the end of a very hot weekend at a track, and I had not waxed the car before. I would test with the wax it in a small section first before taping the front end, of course. I also wouldn't leave it on for too long, especially if it's seen very hot sun.

 

I second getting a regular bra - you can get side view mirror bras as well. Just put them on when you road trip and teke them off when you don't.

 

well i used to put it on my VW gti. and for the most part it doenst leave stick/gum stuff... except for one time when i left it on for a few days and it had rained but it wont come off even with rain.

the sticky stuff came off real easy with wax.

 

There is a spray on product that is temporary and washes off. I have not tried it, but have heard good things. You might try the wash and wax forum for this kind of advice.

Spray on stuff:
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?SKUupsell=20264

 

There is a paint on product made by Color Glo .Spray (I think) that washs off with soap and water. Wal-mart carries it.