Road Trip Protection
 

Hi all - I am planning a road trip, and will be driving about 4000km each way from Victoria, BC to Toronto, Ontario. I am worried about rock chips on my front bumper and hood. Is there any recommendations to minimize this, or a product I could use to help temporarily protect my paint?

If anyone has experience with this, what areas will most likely need to be protected?

I am fairly proficient with detailing and keep my car in mint condition, and so the possible damage from a road trip like this concerns me.

Any help is appreciated!

Don't drive too close behind people on the highway...That minimizes rock chips :)

You could get some old fashioned car wax and liberally apply it to the front bumper, fenders behind the tires, rocker panels and leave it on till you get back. This will not help against large rocks, but can against smaller objects.

painters tape? ahaha. then u gotta wax it right after you take it off

Never tried it yet, but maybe the invisible bra spray. I'd have to see it in person first.

Thats just scary though... will it come off??? will it look good??? who knows... id advise to stay away from that... heh, too many cons to be had imo

Yeah the invisible spray stuff seems a little scary. I think I would rather take my chances with the rocks if it came to that...

Leaving extra distance is a good suggestion for sure - and I'll definitely make sure there is a fresh coat of wax on there, but I don't think it would be much help for chip protection purposes.

What about those sheets of plastic that new cars have on them on their way to the dealer? Normally white, looks like they cling to the paint without adhering there, and just peel off.

I am very interested anyway, might be a good solution against bugs on my longer trips and even during the winter up here. Any ideas where to get those?

Blue painters tape and call it a day.

^ +1. Anything else is much more than you would want to spend for temporary protection.

car bra. future investment too

I commuted on the Coq. for almost 2 years, and used a Mazda bra. But I always removed it at either end of the trip.....worked perfectly.

I think this might be the way to go. Then I can leave it for the the 3 day trip there. Remove it until the return trip. Did you order it through the Mazda dealer?

I use blue painters tape. Works great! Just make sure you DONT overlap onto another piece of tape, or else it won't stick and just fly off.

blue painters FTW!

+1 for the bra.. and remember to check the oil!

as for the drive... try to stay awake while driving through SK... so straight and flat. In anycase, norther Ontario and from BC to AB is a fun drive... lots of inclines and declines.. and some nice curves... and nice views too.

I did a slightly shorter version of your trip when I moved to BC...from Tsawwassen to Toronto ;)


Post on the boards when ya get here...there might be a meet.

Clear vinyal, saran wrap, of course its politically correct to be gay so... buy a Bra.

just take off the front bumper, and call it the day and the hood and fenders, also take off the front window, 100% no chips :)

I have a car bra that I have never used if you want. Send me a PM if your interested.