3M Painters Tape For Cross-Country Paint Protection?

[toystry]

So I'm about to pull the plug and start taping my 2015 Tahoe with 3M Painters tape as I couldn't find any other "CHEAP" alternatives to protect the vehicle from bug guts and small rocks debris for my drive from VA to CA.

Does anyone have any other ideas (except a clear bra installation....I don't want to spend $200+ on a vinyl bra that I'll just have to remove in 3 years from UV damage).

Appreciate the feedback and ideas.

 

[Rsurfer]

So I'm about to pull the plug and start taping my 2015 Tahoe with 3M Painters tape as I couldn't find any other "CHEAP" alternatives to protect the vehicle from bug guts and small rocks debris for my drive from VA to CA.

Does anyone have any other ideas (except a clear bra installation....I don't want to spend $200+ on a vinyl bra that I'll just have to remove in 3 years from UV damage).

Appreciate the feedback and ideas.

Durable Defense

3M™ Paint Defender Spray Film lasts for one year and protects any painted surface from everyday driving hazards. Insects, rocks, sand and other debris can chip your vehicle's paint, leaving visible flaws to the car's exterior. With 3M™ Paint Defender Spray Film, enjoy peace of mind that your vehicle's paint is protected for a year. The Liquid spray dries to an invisible film that is safe for clear coat and removable when desired so that you can keep your car looking newer longer.

 

[Scoobertin]

You can try this. Nick approved. Lol. I actually ordered one and will be trying it before my big trip. Seems easy to put on and take off. Best of all it is cheap if you plan on it being temporary. BumperSkinz Crystal Clear Bumper Protection, DIY clear bra film, bumper protector

 

[vantagesc]

Also look into xpel trac wrap, though I doubt it will be as inexpensive as the 3mspray. On the other hand, it will protect better and be less likely to come off than painters tape.

 

[FinishingTouchA]

Durable Defense

3M™ Paint Defender Spray Film lasts for one year and protects any painted surface from everyday driving hazards. Insects, rocks, sand and other debris can chip your vehicle's paint, leaving visible flaws to the car's exterior. With 3M™ Paint Defender Spray Film, enjoy peace of mind that your vehicle's paint is protected for a year. The Liquid spray dries to an invisible film that is safe for clear coat and removable when desired so that you can keep your car looking newer longer.

Isn't this basically just clear Plasti-Dip?

 

[BrutalNoodle]

3M™ Paint Defender Spray Film

:iagree: What Rsurfer said. You can get one around $10. Help my brother coat his M6. It really does hold up well with no yellowing. I would get two kits so you could do multiple coats for one simple reason - easy peel off like facial mask, if you will. Another plus is that you could blast it with power washer and it holds up. No nasty tape residue to deal with & you could leave it on months after your trip without your vehicle looking ghetto.

Isn't this basically just clear Plasti-Dip?

Pretty much, but a whole lot easier to clean up. PD can be such a pain if you didn't lay it thick enough comes time to remove.

 

[pheerix]

I used painters tape when I drove from NY to CA. I taped over the blue painter's tape with black tape to blend in with my car better (car was gray). Worked ok for the front bumper but parts of my rear bumper got some nasty water spot etching from water that seeped in between the tape and presumably sat there for the whole trip so just be careful.

 

[feslope]

"Road Wrap" cheap, easy to apply, easy to remove and made to do exactly what you want.

 

[AZpolisher15]

Durable Defense

3M™ Paint Defender Spray Film lasts for one year and protects any painted surface from everyday driving hazards. Insects, rocks, sand and other debris can chip your vehicle's paint, leaving visible flaws to the car's exterior. With 3M™ Paint Defender Spray Film, enjoy peace of mind that your vehicle's paint is protected for a year. The Liquid spray dries to an invisible film that is safe for clear coat and removable when desired so that you can keep your car looking newer longer.

Is this stuff similar to plasti-dip?

 

[OTSDetail]

I've used painters tape with no issues.

 

[GSKR]

"Road Wrap" cheap, easy to apply, easy to remove and made to do exactly what you want.

Yes I was trying to think of the name until I saw this,pretty good cheap clear film.rv owners use this a lot.comes in a red box and you may have to order it.

 

[jcaustin87]

Do some googling on Road Wrap. I've seen about 50% success rate in a quick google search.

 

[jsgntulok]

Also look into xpel trac wrap, though I doubt it will be as inexpensive as the 3mspray. On the other hand, it will protect better and be less likely to come off than painters tape.

I was going to suggest this, but you beat me to it. I used it twice last year for the trip back to Tulsa OK after picking up 2 Subaru Outbacks in McKinney TX.

 

[KB in MD]

on our yearly road trip to FLa from MD we just use plain old Saran Wrap type plastic wrap. Doesn't do much for rock chips but works wonders for the luv bug guts :xyxthumbs:

Last year we used PlastiDip and it saved us big time. We had a big rig tire tread fly across the front of the car. PlastiDip saved the bumper.

 

[toystry]

Durable Defense

3M™ Paint Defender Spray Film lasts for one year and protects any painted surface from everyday driving hazards. Insects, rocks, sand and other debris can chip your vehicle's paint, leaving visible flaws to the car's exterior. With 3M™ Paint Defender Spray Film, enjoy peace of mind that your vehicle's paint is protected for a year. The Liquid spray dries to an invisible film that is safe for clear coat and removable when desired so that you can keep your car looking newer longer.

This got terrible reviews everywhere I read.

You can try this. Nick approved. Lol. I actually ordered one and will be trying it before my big trip. Seems easy to put on and take off. Best of all it is cheap if you plan on it being temporary. BumperSkinz Crystal Clear Bumper Protection, DIY clear bra film, bumper protector

More than I want to spend but thanks for the recommendation.

Also look into xpel trac wrap, though I doubt it will be as inexpensive as the 3mspray. On the other hand, it will protect better and be less likely to come off than painters tape.

More than I want to spend but thanks for the recommendation.

Isn't this basically just clear Plasti-Dip?

Essentially, lots of folks complained it didn't dry, stayed tacky or they didnt have enough on the reviews I read. They also said removal is a mother trucker.....not like the video.

:iagree: What Rsurfer said. You can get one around $10. Help my brother coat his M6. It really does hold up well with no yellowing. I would get two kits so you could do multiple coats for one simple reason - easy peel off like facial mask, if you will. Another plus is that you could blast it with power washer and it holds up. No nasty tape residue to deal with & you could leave it on months after your trip without your vehicle looking ghetto.

Pretty much, but a whole lot easier to clean up. PD can be such a pain if you didn't lay it thick enough comes time to remove.

Your the first person to positively endorse this product.

I used painters tape when I drove from NY to CA. I taped over the blue painter's tape with black tape to blend in with my car better (car was gray). Worked ok for the front bumper but parts of my rear bumper got some nasty water spot etching from water that seeped in between the tape and presumably sat there for the whole trip so just be careful.

Any tips for installation. Was thinking that applying front to back vice side to side is best.

"Road Wrap" cheap, easy to apply, easy to remove and made to do exactly what you want.

Too expensive. A 18" x 100" (inches) piece was $40.

I've used painters tape with no issues.

Any tips?

Do some googling on Road Wrap. I've seen about 50% success rate in a quick google search.

Too expensive. A 18" x 100" (inches) piece was $40.

on our yearly road trip to FLa from MD we just use plain old Saran Wrap type plastic wrap. Doesn't do much for rock chips but works wonders for the luv bug guts :xyxthumbs:

Last year we used PlastiDip and it saved us big time. We had a big rig tire tread fly across the front of the car. PlastiDip saved the bumper.

LOL....saran wrap, maybe on the headlights and fog lights I'll do that.

 

[feslope]

Too expensive. A 18" x 100" (inches) piece was $40..

Look closer 18 inches X 1oo FEET is $40.00 or $29.95 if you look a little. The same size roll of XPel is $517.00. Not made for appearance but, it does the job.

 

[toystry]

Look closer 18 inches X 1oo FEET is $40.00 or $29.95 if you look a little. The same size roll of XPel is $517.00. Not made for appearance but, it does the job.

Damnit......DOH. My bad.

 

[TTQ B4U]

So I'm about to pull the plug and start taping my 2015 Tahoe with 3M Painters tape as I couldn't find any other "CHEAP" alternatives to protect the vehicle from bug guts and small rocks debris for my drive from VA to CA.

Does anyone have any other ideas (except a clear bra installation....I don't want to spend $200+ on a vinyl bra that I'll just have to remove in 3 years from UV damage).

Appreciate the feedback and ideas.

Blue Painters Tape is cheap and will work just fine. I had the dealer prep my car with it for their drive from IL to OH when they delivered it. Worked like a charm. It rained the whole way too. Only a little bit of residue which came right off with mild solvent.