[Optherion]

I have a track day coming up in a few weeks at Fontana on the roval. I have never "taped" up my car like I see people to with blue painters tape. I think its looks incredibly ugly. My last track day I did not use any paint covering and I must have spent 3 hours detailing the hood and front bumper. Tons of deep scratches on the hood.

My dilemma is not only the color of blue painters tape on a red car, but I will have a friend at the track that day trying to get some action shots and video of the car. Need to have it looking clean. Anyone have any recommendations? I have seem some clear bra companies, but seems awful expensive. It might just be cheaper to get the hood and bumper repainted later on and say screw it. I have also seen some people use special cut magnet signs that are all flat black. Usually like the ones people put on their doors with the numbers but instead on the rear quarter panels and side skirts. Maybe open to that idea. Let me hear yours!

 

[pdisme]

If you just cover the forward facing areas and 30% of the hood, it should not cost you more than $800 to have a clear bra installed by someone with a good reputation; that's definitely less expensive than re-painting it. I spent $1000 and got all the front, 30% of the hood, mirrors, rocker panels, a-pillars, leading edge of the roof, rear quarter panels. I have the same thing on my Gallardo and have tracked it several times; a can of Plexus plastic cleaner gets the rubber marks off the clear bra in a few minutes.

 

[GT-R_NOVA]

I can not recall the name of the company but remember reading about a clear, temporary, adhesive that is designed for track days or road trips. It works just like the clear bra's but less expensive and designed to be removed after a short time period.

 

[GT-R_NOVA]

Found it!
http://www.nagtroc.org/forums/index.php?/topic/58887-bug-proofing-idea/page__p__728976__hl__+temporary%20+bra__fromsearch__1#entry728976

www.buyroadwrap.com

 

[Karma]

Make sure you take your time when wrapping the car in that stuff. On my car I didnt spend enough time making sure it was following the contours of the hood and the wind made it flap back and fourth, thus scratching the hood beyond repair with a PC.

 

[Yellokilo]

And people think painter's tape is ugly???
LOL!

 

[Optherion]

Oh ya Blue Painters tape is hideous. Especially when you use it to make numbers on your car. That needs to die. The clear Idea is neat, but its just as bad when you look at the photos you cant figure out the hell they did to the car. Cool concept, but again this is for a photo shoot. I think I will bite the bullet and get a clear bra and half way up the hood done. I was also think about the lower rear fenders. Ive been getting a lot of marbles thrown up there and scratches.

 

[daedelous]

I'd say suck it up. You're tracking it, not taking it to a car show.

And I don't think it looks "ugly" per se, particularly if you put it on correctly. It looks like your car is setup for racing...sort of like sponsor decals *shrug*.

But, either way, you really should get a clear bra on your car, whether you're tracking it or not. That will help some. However, I would still recommend putting tape on your car. Maybe do one run without tape for the photo shoot, and then put it on? When I was at AMS here the road was terrible. I had 3 people borrow my tape after our driver's lap. I covered mine as best as I could (below). I think it looks fine. From looking at the tape after each round, though, I can tell you to make sure you get the area in front of the rear wheels. That gets torn up quick and I had to replace it every session.

Don't forget you're out there to have fun. No one there cares what your car looks like.

 

[Optherion]

I decided to say screw it. No tape. Saw a car with that easy clear wrap on the car a few weeks back and it looks like it works, but could be a pain putting it on. After this year the car is getting a repaint anyways.

Its too bad the only tape is blue and it seems to come off very easy as you mention. My buddy has a black z06 and he covers his headlights with black gorilla tape. That stuff is insane! Never comes off and its very thick. I would be worried to use it on my car.

 

[Go!Zilla]

Or try this:
http://www.nagtroc.o...post__p__740358
It's easier to put on, but might take more time to let dry.

EDIT: For the track, you'll probably want to lift the hood at some point. A tip is to pop open the hood (no need to lift it) before it completely dries just in case the paint doesn't leave a gap between the hood and body.

 

[Optherion]

Wow that road warrior paint protection is just the stuff I am looking for! Peel off and throw away later on. Its a perfect solution for a long trip and bug protection.

 

[toekneeg]

Spend the money and get a clear bra put on. Make sure you find a company with lots of referrals. As a graphics guy, they are a pain in the ass to install. When looking at previous clients cars, look for cut marks, cuts in the paint, lifting, etc. It is expensive but worth it. Even for daily driving down the highway.

 

[DocNrock]

I've done about 20 track days with the GT-R. I've never put on blue tape (except for the hideous looking numbers) or a clear bra. However, I have a LOT of pits in the paint on the front of the car.

 

[Optherion]

Or try this:
http://www.nagtroc.o...post__p__740358
It's easier to put on, but might take more time to let dry.

EDIT: For the track, you'll probably want to lift the hood at some point. A tip is to pop open the hood (no need to lift it) before it completely dries just in case the paint doesn't leave a gap between the hood and body.

So I bought this stuff. It works F%#King AMAZING! I will do a review and post up some pictures. I have been searching for other similar products for cheaper but have yet to find anything close. You would think there is something of equal value for less??

I will post up a review and the method I used to apply it. Basically goes on and dries. Getting it wet makes it peel off. Perfect for the track. Clear bras always annoy me because they discolor or I can see the imperfections in them. This stuff was $30 and will last me about 5 track days. You can only tell it is on the car by the extra orange peel it creates. You cant tell when you are about 10 feet away. Works great for easy on and easy off.

 

[Carig5A]

Clear bra is all worth it.

 

[Sylvan Lake V35]

I can not recall the name of the company but remember reading about a clear, temporary, adhesive that is designed for track days or road trips. It works just like the clear bra's but less expensive and designed to be removed after a short time period.

I use it all of the time it is good, more durable than blue tape and dose not look so lame.

 

[GT-R_NOVA]

I have the answer! If you do not want to invest in the clear bra/wrap for what ever reason you can use "plasti dip". my best friend and I just drove a Corvette from Nova Scotia to Florida and before we left we applied a coating of plasti dip to the entire front of the car and half way up the hood. We used the clear plasti dip and, besides being a mat finish, it did not look bad at at all and was barely noticeable.

During the 34hr drive we went from below freezing temps to high 80's and drive through rain with nothing affecting the plasti dip.

Once we arrived the front of the car was full of bugs and after picking a corner up pulled right off the car with no problems. Due to the rubber like texture of the product it prevented any rock chips to the paint.

You can go to www.plastidip.com to learn more about the product and where to buy the product. YouTube also has a lot of videos of how well the product works, the possibilities are virtually endless with this product.

I am not affiliated with the company but probably should be as I'm now obsessed with this stuff!

Hope this helps and my only tip is to lay it on thick so it's easier to pull off in one large piece.

 

[infinus]

A lot of guys use plastidip to black out the emblems because you can do it with them still on the car. Great stuff and you can pick it up at the local hardware store.