How do i protect my car for the ride home?

F1Player48

New member
See I am picking up my BMW at the Performance Delivery Center (PDC) in South Carolina and I live in Miami FL, that's about 800 miles, and I don't want any damage to my cars finish. I don't want to use a Bra b\c I know they can scratch the car, it also might be raining when I drive home, and I will never use the bra again.

I was thinking of using the Blue 3M painters tape that leaves no residue, it was suggested by some friends that use this tape when they take there cars to the race track. So, I was thinking of covering a big portion of the front end of my car, the mirrors, and some other little places. Some one else suggested using Liquid Latex (the one they sell at sex shops)?? What else would you guys recommend? I really don't care how the car looks as long as it's safe.



All I know is i don't want anything happening to my car on the ride home and as soon as I get home, I am doing the whole Zaino treatment.





Thanx Guys

-Andy Escobar



Come visit us at RoadFly.org ///M3
 
Nice to see you wanting to keep such good of that awesome automobile right off the bat!



The painters tape thing sounds cool, BUT you might have to consider not using as temperature might affect the adhesive properties of the tape. I do know that the tape itself has a working time and that if you leave it on too long it will be too difficult to take off and probably leave a lot of residue (I guess follow the manufacturers directions).



In the end, just stay away from trucks and cars that kick up rocks :mad:
 
Thanx



I don't have the info with me but if I remember correctly, i think 3M states the tape is unaffected by sunlight for X days and it will only take me 2 days to get home so in cool on that side.







-Andy Escobar
 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

hahahahahahahahaha!



Er... a really big box and ship it UPS?



Well if you know someone with a covered trailer and pay them a little fee or a few details, let them drive the car up from SC to you.



Besides that I wouldn't know what to recommend. The tape and latex :) seem a bit off. Driving down I-95 (or whatever road) with tape all over a M3, or latex!



Jason
 
Drive with a big gap between you and everything else



I am sure there is a story behind the latex, but I am not sure we should ask ;)



Steven
 
Remember to vary your RPMs on the drive home. If you drive home at the same RPM for 800 miles your engine will not be broken in properly. Maybe switch the gear you're cruising in every 10 minutes or so (you can probably cruise at fwy speeds in 4th, 5th & 6th without going over 5500 rpm, right?) And accelerate briskley up to the 5500 rpm limit when entering the fwy after pit stops, etc to get some good mid-rpm combustion pressure on those rings.



And the painter's tape sounds like a good idea to me ;)





Congrats on the new car!!
 
are they prepping the car for you at the dealership?? if so they will be putting wax on it, so you have that.



if they aren't doing that, just have them not remove the plastic/vinyl coverings the factory installs for its shipping. Those cover most of the vital areas and anything else you can hit with some painters tape (I have some of the 14 day stuff, it actually does work well in below-the-beltline situations; I found some thats a perfect width to use on my cars)
 
I am with shiny



Tell the prep people to leave the protective shipping film on the car, or have them put that on the car.



Or maybe purchase 3m protective film which is an invisable bra and goes many names. ie: x-pel, stongard







3Mâ„¢ Paint Protection Film Solutions



I have not used this product, I do not work for 3M or any company which sells these products. the web link was provided solely for educational and entertainment value.



Eric
 
I am with shiny



Tell the prep people to leave the protective shipping film on the car, or have them put that on the car.



Or maybe purchase 3m protective film which is an invisible bra and goes many names. ie: x-pel, stongard





3Mâ„¢ Paint Protection Film Solutions



I have not used this product.



I do not work for 3M or any company which sells these products. The web link was provided solely for educational and entertainment value.



Eric
 
For the money you spent, I'd rent a full size trailer and truck and haul it up. You'll still need a cover to not get the exhuast (which will leave a film if it's a diesal) from the truck on it. No rocks or otrher things to worry about.
 
Yea the idea of leaving the plastics on is great..Only problem is that the PCD is a really nice 1st class delivery center where they deliver the cars in excellent condition, so i don't think they will deliver it with the plastics, another thing is that the cars are washed in a mix of water and kerosene to remove a coating called cosmoline (sp?) the put on the car for the trip on the ship that way the salt air doesn't corrode the car (i am not even sure they put the plastic on the cars). A minor reason i am picking my car up at the PCD is b\c some times it happens that the dealers when they prep the car they wax it and put swirl marks (i basically wouldn't accept the car with swirls marks) and at the PCD they know that the type of people who pick they cars up there are true enthusiasts so they realty take care of the cares to the highest degree possible.



So, i looks like the Painters tape is the way to go.

I am just going to have to buy like 2 roles of tape b\c im even going to tape up the front wind shield....J\K



I cant find the link to the page where a friend posted pics of when he pick up his car at the PCD but when i get it i will post it so check back.



-Andy Escobar
 
Yea, painter's tape seems like a good idea. What about this?:



Paint Protection Tape



tolae_1692_2955461




Our "Paint Saver Tape" is a professional quality tape made from the same material that covers golf balls. Peel-off the backing and smooth the tape on any area that's prone to damage. It's transparent, extremely durable, and safe for all paints and plastic. It stays new for years and you can polish and wax right over it.
 
Wouldn't paint protection tape be really hard to get off? It saiys it last for years. There has to be some strong glue on there to hold for years.
 
"The tape may even be removed without damage to the paint. The invisible tape is perfect for rocker panels, bumpers, grills, front edge of hoods, truck bed rails, door edges, motorcycles, boats, etc."



Or maybe you can buy a pre-cut X-Pel "clear-bra" and have it installed in SC before the trip. Then use the tape on any part the X-pel doesn't protect.



http://www.xpel.com



~bw
 
Must feel like walking on eggs, driving a beautifull car like that home, wanting to bring it home in the same virgin condition you bought it.



May the Autopian Gods be with you and bring you home safe and un-whatevered.



:xyxthumbs





:wavey
 
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