Alright, so I'm flying to California to buy a car next week (if it checks out ok), and driving the car back to Georgia over a 3-day period.

This particular car has a brand new paint job, and a brand new Project Amuse front bumper on it that I'd prefer not to totally destroy on the ride back, considering the level of difficlty in aquiring a replacement. (it's special order only, and is $1100 before shipping from Japan and paint/prep). So I'd like to get it back home in one piece. The problem:

It's 2000 miles of highway between the car and home, filled with bugs, flying rocks, animals, and general road bullshit.

Problem #2: A bra will not fit on this bumper.

The only thing I know for sure that I can do is wax the hell out of the car before leaving CA, and then wash/wax it each night when I stop to sleep. Are there any products out there that can be applied to the paint and peeled/wiped/washed off when i get it home?

plastic wrap? (will it melt to the paint)?
water-soluble liquids (KY Jelly)? Will it eat into the finish?
wax the car and leave the wax on the paint until i get home?
any other products out there made specifically for this purpose?

I can't think of anything else to put on the car that will act as a shield...I need to avoid having to use a bug-removal sponge when i get back, as they are notoriously rough on new paint.

removing the bumper for the trip is not an option.

any suggestions?

Blue tape...

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2918517





or Autoskin from AU company?

http://www.autoskin.com.au/main/information/uses.htm

tape or that saran wrap shit they put on new cars

tape!
why didn't i think of that?? It won't leave adhesive on the paint?

that autospray looks useful too. thanks fellers.

that blue painters tape is good stuff. Won't leave anything behind. I'd also do the front half of the hood as well. Better safe than sorry....

Originally posted by azdave
Blue tape... http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2918517

When I read the title, these guys were the first ones I thought about. Still funny/entertaining story.

It is informally known as a "blue tape run". This became popular for show cars that had to travel a long distance or cars running autocross that are concerned about their paint. You place blue tape on any areas that will could be hit by road debris or cones. I would bring extra along for the ride to reinforce areas that may peel off.

Blue tape is also a great fender protector for projects. I had the same tape on my car for over a year without issue. The car was not exposed to sunlight though. I have seen cars with regular masking tape have issues with the sun baking the glue into the paint.

Have fun on that road trip and don't forget the tools! It is a DSM afterall.

Originally posted by mreigle
It is a DSM afterall.

No, its a 350Z.

Originally posted by cyan

Originally posted by mreigle It is a DSM afterall.

No, its a 350Z.

You should be ok then.

Duplicolor also has a temporary paint that you can spray on and it is supposed to protect the paint from road debris, It comes in black and clear. It also washes off when you are done...

I'd be very wary of putting anything on fresh paint. Unless that "fresh" is more than 30 days old, I'd steer clear of putting anything on it that may damage it.

Wax is a no-no for new paint.

I'd use the blue tape. Take plenty of pictures though.

Yes pictures.

I want to see this $1100 bumper.


Blue painters tape is good stuff. It sticks but it doesn't STICK.


Masking tape is evil. Dont leave it anywhere near your car. I spent a long time getting rid of residue on my window trim and tails and some of it is still there!!! It's the least of my worries but it sucked getting that crap off. I was going to primmer the car and a storm showed up out of nowhere. Sun came up after that and baked the tape to my car!

Originally posted by 2GeclipseRS
Yes pictures. I want to see this $1100 bumper.

check out the black Z on the cover of the newest issue of Modified Magazine...it's that one.

*runs to bathroom to fetch said magazine*

Powerhouse amuse?

Sweet.

I can picture that on a 2g.

It's funny because i haven't picked up a car mag in a while, well bought one anyway. That issue of modified was the only one i've purchased in about a year. Most other magazines dont have the substance i'm looking for and modified is thick as hell. Loved that tech article on diffs. Changed my outlook a little bit and had me interested in the subject a bit....


Anyway, have fun taping.

Originally posted by azdave
Blue tape... http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2918517 or Autoskin from AU company? http://www.autoskin.com.au/main/information/uses.htm

great thread on the blue tape i remember reading about the blue tape audi and its road trip good times