front end cover up before mountain drive?

[00 scrub]

I was wondering if anyone uses any sort of masking for the front end and hood of their car before they do any canyon runs/ moutnain driving. I don't want to get a bra as they can flap up against the paint and damage it and thet are a little too expensive. Does anyone have suggestion on what to cover the front bumper and hood with? I was thinking of covering it in duct tape or some sort of tape so that it won't get pitted from all the rocks, pebbles, dust, and bugs along the roads. Is that a good idea or bad idea?

[oldster]

3M evidently makes a cover for the front end. FYI, the Toyota bra does not flap against nor damage the paint if used properly.

[00 scrub]

Yea I have heard of the 3m clear car bra, but I'm looking for more of a temporary fix. Something that I can put on before I go out to the mountains and takeoff afterwards.

[oldster]

Then it is spelled BRA. :)

[REdOX]

Dude.. pay for the bra. You'll be kicking yourself later when you decided to use duct tape on your car. Ever tried to peel that stuff off? Especially when it gets hot outside and melts the adhesive. You'll be spending a lot more to clean it off your paint than it is to purchase the bra.

And the bra can be re-used. And people won't laugh at you when you're driving around with duct tape on your front end.

Just some words of advice, not trying to be rude or anything.

[00 scrub]

thanks Redox, I was really wondering about the residue the tape would leave. And yes the duct tape would look very stupid, but I didn't really care about that when I was in the mountains. :) . I think i'll just try to find a bra and a hood cover.

[TaeMachine]

your car doesnt get anymore damaged driving in the mountains or canyons as driving on the highway, unless you are going offroading.

some rally guys use contact paper but i dont know if it really works.

[bunnylust]

Bras are fine as long as you are only using them a short amount of time at a time and as long as the surface underneath is dust free. Just make sure you take it off and wash it all off as soon as you dont need it anymore.

And also, it would be a smart idea to put a good layer of wax on your front end wherever the bra will be contacting. You may not even want to buff as it will give a thick layer of protection since you just want something temporary. That should pretty much elminate all the downfalls of using a bra.

Laurence

[REdOX]

good idea. However, I'd still rather have minor scratches than rock chips.

[peleus21]

here are a few tips for not getting chips and stuff from mountain driving, stay off dirt roads and do not follow someone real close i live in the mountains in British Columbia we have harsh winters were they gravel road every time it snows. my celi is new but my last car never got any chips - not even in window i just stay back when on a dirty road. i am afraid to get a bra specially since i am gonna get an aftermarket bumper and don't think it will fit on it besides looking silly on yellow

[00 scrub]

peleus21: Well I stay off the dirt roads, its just that rocks and sand always get thrown up at my car. And I have chips and scratches all over my hood and bumper from sand and rocks. I even have one rather large one on my door.

Anyone know how damaging running on a road course like Willow Springs or Fontana Raceway would be?