Painter's tape for road trip

[Sasho]

So I've just learned about painter's tape and putting in on your car for a long road trip. Did a search but didn't get a lot of results on here. Googled it and got some crazy pics of what folks have done to their cars with it.

I drive between Toronto and Montreal at least once a month - 1100km round trip. I always take the highway but I am getting tired of it. For next time I go I've devised an alternate back-roads route for some driving enjoyment.

Given the amount of bugs this time around and out in the bush, I wanted to try the painters tape trick.

What do you guys think? Any best practices to share? Pics for shits and giggles?

[pandi]

Worked like a charm for our 1100 mile cross-country drive. I had to add some strips after day 3, otherwise, it was great.

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[Sasho]

Nice! That's exactly how much I am looking to cover. A bit on the hood and then just the bumper and mirrors. How long did it take to put on?

[apexit1]

Have you thought of 3M's new spray on clear?

http://spark.3m.com/blog/?p=2863

[pandi]

Nice! That's exactly how much I am looking to cover. A bit on the hood and then just the bumper and mirrors. How long did it take to put on?

10 minutes or less. Get the wide kind. I was too cheap to buy it! This pic was taken after 8 hr. drive.

[LJO]

If you travel that much why not get a ClearBra? Applying painters tape once a month seems tedious to me.

I am on my fifth year of the same 3M paint protection film and it still looks great. Requires some maintenance, but I am safe from rock chips and it doesn't look ridiculous like blue tape.

[Sasho]

Have you thought of 3M's new spray on clear?

http://spark.3m.com/blog/?p=2863

Yeah last summer my detailing guy gave me the same kind of product. Not sure if it was 3M though. In essence, you just spray it on a cool car (on the parts that will get most of the road abuse) and then when it dries it disappears and you can't notice it. Then after your road trip you just rinse it off and all the bugs and tar washes away. It worked great but I ran out and haven't had the chance to order more. The only thing I found was that if it rained, it didn't completely wash off and left a bit residue. Just want to try the 3M tape for shits and giggles

[r3ckl3ss]

I've used road wrap as an alternative to painters tape when auto-crossing. Comes in multiple widths. If you aren't too worried about how it looks, goes on really quickly.

http://www.buyroadwrap.com/

[JOS4AUDI]

Try this Sasho called road wrap. I moved across country NC back to CA 2500 miles no issues. Easy to install easy to remove looks like crap but saves the paint. Only like $40.

[Creatre]

Just keep in mind you'll have to remove the residue and rewax the car afterwards. I did painters tape cross country a couple years ago and it worked great. However, didn't think about the residue after removal, and found out very quickly when dirt start sticking to it!

[Screwly]

Worked like a charm for our 1100 mile cross-country drive. I had to add some strips after day 3, otherwise, it was great.

[/URL]

Looks like you ran over the smurfs!

[Toecutter]

If you travel that much why not get a ClearBra? Applying painters tape once a month seems tedious to me.

I am on my fifth year of the same 3M paint protection film and it still looks great. Requires some maintenance, but I am safe from rock chips and it doesn't look ridiculous like blue tape.

^This.

[Mops@Nemesis]

I have used painters tape quite a few times. Works great and I had no issues with removal/residue. Maybe a spot here and there but I could remove spotless in 10 minutes. Likely because of very slick paint. I honestly have fun doing it. And you get some funky looks and comments. Actaully taping up for SoWo later this week. For Waterfest a couple years ago....


photo by Audiyos, on Flickr

[skiracerblah]

Not for a road trip, but for an aut0-x event

[lapisia]

Clearbra or use that 3M spray please! That painter's tape look is so terrible imo :(.

[Sasho]

If you travel that much why not get a ClearBra? Applying painters tape once a month seems tedious to me.

I am on my fifth year of the same 3M paint protection film and it still looks great. Requires some maintenance, but I am safe from rock chips and it doesn't look ridiculous like blue tape.

Yup, I got a clear bra installed by the dealer when I picked up the car. I am considering painters tape only for the ease of clean up from all the bugs. Just take it off after the trip and give her a wash and ready...

I've used road wrap as an alternative to painters tape when auto-crossing. Comes in multiple widths. If you aren't too worried about how it looks, goes on really quickly.

http://www.buyroadwrap.com/

Try this Sasho called road wrap. I moved across country NC back to CA 2500 miles no issues. Easy to install easy to remove looks like crap but saves the paint. Only like $40.

Road wrap looks interesting, thanks guys will look into it...looks like it'll go on quicker than painters tape

I have used painters tape quite a few times. Works great and I had no issues with removal/residue. Maybe a spot here and there but I could remove spotless in 10 minutes. Likely because of very slick paint. I honestly have fun doing it. And you get some funky looks and comments. Actaully taping up for SoWo later this week. For Waterfest a couple years ago....


photo by Audiyos, on Flickr

Ha too funny, actually this is the first pic I saw with painters tape a while back, liked it, and got me to post this thread. I like the idea and think it looks a bit different and like you said funky

[Phrost]

Really the only point of this is if you're cruising to a show or a very large GTG. You'll be able to clean windows or dust with spray chemicals, but you'll never be able to safely remove bugs without a hose and bucket IMO.

When I was in high school (during the first big gas price hike ~2005) I did drive around like this for a few days though lol. Go go gadget 2.0 8v mpg!

[FITZ TITS]

I'm utterly shocked no one has suggested Plasti-Dip, yet...

[Wilbur]

Clearbra or use that 3M spray please! That painter's tape look is so terrible imo :(.

Agreed. HILARIOUS. Thought this was a joke...........................

[Phrost]

^ you are only supposed to do this for a cruise on your way to a show. Any other time is just out of humor

[catch]

Try this Sasho called road wrap. I moved across country NC back to CA 2500 miles no issues. Easy to install easy to remove looks like crap but saves the paint. Only like $40.

any mroe pics of this?

[RohrC]

Yup, I got a clear bra installed by the dealer when I picked up the car. I am considering painters tape only for the ease of clean up from all the bugs. Just take it off after the trip and give her a wash and ready...

Another option is to consider Wolf Chemical's "The Mask."

I have used it many times and it rinses off with a high pressure spray no issues. Won't help with stones or what not, but since you mentioned you wanted the ease of bugs, you can't go wrong with it.

Here is a link: The Mask

[westwest888]

I think all of the people that do this at the track are ridiculous. It's a mass produced car. Just drive it. Not much point in having a nice one if you tape it up for 50% of the miles driven.

[B8-S4]

I usually drive up to Toronto from NYC every year for Caribana. I've been making this trip for the past 8-10 years lol and I have ALWAYS used painters tape. I used to use the regular 3M blue tape but it does leave a little residue every now and then...especially if it rained during the trip...the tape would get washed off leaving the residue behind. However, it's nothing major it comes right off with a good wash. To avoid the residue you can use what I used last year on my Infiniti...its called 3M quick release blue tape for "delicate surfaces". It comes off very clean leaving behind zero reisdue! I usually get my buddy to help me tape it up since I like to be anal and VERY neat with it. We would finish the HUGE front end of the Infiniti within 15 minutes...usually the duration of one beer with my buddy lol!

[Mops@Nemesis]

I think all of the people that do this at the track are ridiculous. It's a mass produced car. Just drive it. Not much point in having a nice one if you tape it up for 50% of the miles driven.

I could care less what others do but I do not believe it to be ridiculous for some to spend an hour to protect their front end from possible damage to their track car/ pride and joy. No matter if an exotic or mustang. I hate chips from road debris. It looks terrible on the front of a nice clean car. And resprays are much more expensive and worrisome than tape. And some find enjoyment in doing so.


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[NPuter]

I've taped my car several times now. It's definitely worthwhile for long drives. This is from a week ago:

[kraeburn]

That is nuts. I thought I was OCD but this is very strange behavior. Its just an Audi, if you don't like rock chips just repaint the bumper every 2 years or get clear bra.

[Mops@Nemesis]

It's all situational and personal preference. And not everyone on the forum is a baller who believes its just a 40k-80k Audi. In my case, my car only sees high traffic road trips a few times per year and I plan to hang onto it forever. Also hate clear bra. Certainly don't approve the logic of saying whatever and do resprays when they can be avoided or prolonged. And body shop experiences can be iffy. This is similar to when people say its an Audi and built for snow etc so why put it up in the winter. Because its certainly not setup for such conditions and I have other cars for such. Just so happens my preferred brand features awd. Did not buy it for poor weather.

Same argument could be had asking why would one want to spend 1k-1.5k to cover their car with film for a few occasions per year. No arguing at all. I said I don't care what anyone does nor would I knock them for their practices. Just saying its not foolish like some make it out to be be.

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[TuanTime]

So is this the old adage, "One mans' trash is another mans' treasure?". I'd love to be able to say its just an Audi. :). Fwiw I don't tape my car, but it's definitely my pride and joy.

[apexit1]

To think that you would rather repaint the front end over having tape on a few days a year tops is retarded. wtf

[Mops@Nemesis]

To think that you would rather repaint the front end over having tape on a few days a year tops is retarded. wtf

Dude it just an Audi. Don't spend an hour and $10 a few times per year. Spend 4 figures on resprays or vinyl;). Being its just an Audi and all.


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[Cyncris]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned just keeping a good coat of wax on it. While wax will not stop chips, it will allow all bugs to rinse right off with just a water hose. I usually wax right before a long trip and once I arrive, I can grab a hose and rinse 95% off and the rest will come off with spray wax. I bought this car because it is beautiful, I would never F that up by taping it up.

[NPuter]

There is one time that I drove on the Florida Turnpike w/o the tape (people from FL know what that's like). Huge mistake. Bugs were near imposible to get get off, and the paint was marred/distorted where each one hit. I spent more time getting cleaning my front end then it would have been to tape it in the first place. Even after I finished cleaning, the bumper looked terrible and had quite a few rock chips. I was lucky and got my s-line bumper after that incident. I've always taped for long drives since then.
Some people just don't care about their car like others do. My car only sees long distance highway driving a couple times a year. For my situation, the tape is excellent!

[NPuter]

I am surprised that no one has mentioned just keeping a good coat of wax on it. While wax will not stop chips, it will allow all bugs to rinse right off with just a water hose. I usually wax right before a long trip and once I arrive, I can grab a hose and rinse 95% off and the rest will come off with spray wax. I bought this car because it is beautiful, I would never F that up by taping it up.

How does taping the car "F that up"? The tape does absolutely nothing to the paint - can't say the same for bugs, debris, and rocks. My front end would be destroyed if I don't tape it like I usually do.
Of course I keep wax on my car - can't compare that to the protection the tape gives you. Even with a fresh coat of wax, a hose alone would never completely clean those mutant florida love bugs off of the bumper.

[JOS4AUDI]

It's all situational and personal preference. And not everyone on the forum is a baller who believes its just a 40k-80k Audi. In my case, my car only sees high traffic road trips a few times per year and I plan to hang onto it forever. Also hate clear bra. Certainly don't approve the logic of saying whatever and do resprays when they can be avoided or prolonged. And body shop experiences can be iffy. This is similar to when people say its an Audi and built for snow etc so why put it up in the winter. Because its certainly not setup for such conditions and I have other cars for such. Just so happens my preferred brand features awd. Did not buy it for poor weather.

Same argument could be had asking why would one want to spend 1k-1.5k to cover their car with film for a few occasions per year. No arguing at all. I said I don't care what anyone does nor would I knock them for their practices. Just saying its not foolish like some make it out to be be.

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I totally agree Mops well put!! I can't believe people say it's just an Audi or it's a massed produced car? Lol well I worked my ass off to have these things sorry I'm not a Baller like you!! My cars are babied because to me it's like having a Ferrari I know what it's like to not have shit.

[lapisia]

Dude it just an Audi. Don't spend an hour and $10 a few times per year. Spend 4 figures on resprays or vinyl;). Being its just an Audi and all.


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Actually imo it is precisely because it's an Audi I think people should spend the $1k on clearbra rather than the paint tape. There is nothing cheap about this car and every option is a luxury. I mean $500 for carbon atlas trims, $1k for a slightly better stereo in the B&O, $2k for nav when a $150 garmin would suffice, $2k+ for an exhaust, $1k for ecodes, and then cheap out and put tape over the hood? Blah, just doesn't make sense to me.

I'm not trying to knock on anyone who does it, if given the choice I would rather do the paint tape than have no protection at all on long road trips but I just don't understand why not spend the little extra and get the clearbra.

[NPuter]

Actually imo it is precisely because it's an Audi I think people should spend the $1k on clearbra rather than the paint tape. There is nothing cheap about this car and every option is a luxury. I mean $500 for carbon atlas trims, $1k for a slightly better stereo in the B&O, $2k for nav when a $150 garmin would suffice, $2k+ for an exhaust, $1k for ecodes, and then you cheap out and put take over the hood? Blah, just doesn't make sense to me.

I'm not trying to knock on anyone who does it, if given the choice I would rather do the paint tape than have no protection at all on long road trips but I just don't understand why not spend the little extra and get the clearbra.

I just don't like the way clear bra looks and prefer not to have it on my front end. For how infrequently I drive my car on the highway, it is not worth what I see as the tradeoffs. For frequent highway drivers, quality clear bra is a no-brainer, and I would definitely have it if I drove on the highway more than twice a year.

[LakeShow]

Honestly though, it looks quite ridiculous lol.

[lapisia]

I just don't like the way clear bra looks and prefer not to have it on my front end. For how infrequently I drive my car on the highway, it is not worth what I see as the tradeoffs. For frequent highway drivers, quality clear bra is a no-brainer, and I would definitely have it if I drove on the highway more than twice a year.

Agreed with you. Clearbra is not for everybody, and certainly takes away some of the fun for those that are into detailing, so for that reason it justifies not getting it. But for those that frequent on highways imo it's a no brainer if one would like to protect the original paint :)

[Velociraptor]

I think all of the people that do this at the track are ridiculous. It's a mass produced car. Just drive it. Not much point in having a nice one if you tape it up for 50% of the miles driven.

Seeing as how you spend so much time at the track and are the S4 sections resident track expert I would have thought that you would know better.

Tracking cars is sketchy enough for those who also DD their car, protecting the finish is just a smart thing to do. debris from other cars, rubber being thrown off, anything that can minimize or remove potential damage is smart.

Just because YOU don't see the need, doesn't mean there isn't one. Just because YOU think its stupid, doesn't mean it is.

I'm surprised no one suggested Plastidip yet, its a great solution that can be done in an hour or so. You can get clear spray, they have this matte/frosted spray too, or you can be nuts and cover the required areas in neon green. whatever floats your boat.