Me: Owner of garage queen heading to first DE. Want to keep the pristine appearance of my queen. I've seen pics of people taping various parts of the car to protect the finish.

Any advice of experianced DE's on what to tape and what not to bother with. I'm not **** and don't want to go overboard, but I want to keep my car looking as good as it can be?

 

Have you looked into Plasti Dip?

It depends...

You have a faster car, so you will most likely be tucked up under another newbie (same level of experience but maybe a slower car, etc...). You may find tire chunks making nice spots all over your front bumper cover, hood, mirrors, front fenders and windshield. Obviously we are all worried about rocks as well.

I have a clear bra on all of those components (hood, front bumper cover, mirrors, and front fenders), but I still sometimes tape up the front bumper cover. It is just so much easier for me to pull the tape off (slowly, and don't let it sit for a couple days in the sun), than it is to wash off that rubber.

So there you have it - if you don't want to be **** about it, I'd just do the front bumper. If you're driving home that night, you may want to consider covering the headlights (but you shouldn't have that much dirt, it depends on your preferences).

 

Just use painters blue tape on the front lights. After the DE, you will worry more about the cars suspension and engine and less and less about the paint! Get the CG-Lock to tighten up the 3-point stock seat belt. Then watch the video by Jackie Stewart teaching James May how to drive.. "You are either on full throttle or full brakes". You will be hooked forever.

 

 

Anybody benefit from their headlights being taped?

I mean, it helps them from shattering if you smack debris or hit a wall/armco/other car/etc... But if they crack, the financial impact is still there, regardless if the glass is still on your car or not. Headlights covers are not as week as they once were decades ago.

You could probably benefit from a clear (or lightly shaded) overlay to constantly protect them anyway.

For paint protection, I'd still recommend the front bumper.

Also, without knowing which model you have, you might be able to put your numbers on the window (easier to clean, perhaps), instead of on the door panels.

I'm trying to think of more for the person concerned with their paint. I'm with surathdp - "After the DE, you will worry more about the cars suspension and engine and less and less about the paint!"

I believe this to be true. I think you should get to know your future track *****.

 

I don't think you can keep your car pristine while driving on a track. At least on the tracks I've been on, there is always crap flying up. All it takes is a car in front to spin out, drag a bunch of rocks/sand on the track and you'll fly right through it. Let alone if you spin out and bounce around through the gravel, rocks, ... Unless you tape the crap out of your whole car.

 

If you keep talking like that he'll never go!

 

Use lots and lots of bubble wrap

 

do it all.

 

Just tape the front bumper and lower front of the hood. I had rubber marks on the roof of my car after the track. I wouldn't sweat it to much.
They make great cleaning products specific to rubber scuffs fr the track.

Ken

 

but a transparent clear film to put it on top of your highbeams, sometimes on ebay you can find pre-cut oval film for 997 cars. let it be there forever.

as of taping all the rest - it is a waste of time. best thing is to have clear bra on the bumper, plus, i seem to get more gravel into the car on the road to track than on track itself.

to clean off black marks from rubber marbels use this:
http://www.mothers.com/02_products/09224.html

it works miracles.

 

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been trying to find this for a while... Forgot who made it.

 

I do not know if any of you saw my post in the vender section last week, but we have cling on numbers for the guys who visit the track often.

For more info Click Here.

We are looking into a cling on protector for the hood, mirrors and lights in clear. No pricing or anything yet, but we are working on it so stay tuned.

 

Blue tape is for painters. Your car will see more road debris and damage on the way there and back. Painters tape is thin. A chunk of rubber flying off the car in front of you or small stones will rip right through it at speed.

Just my personal opinion. I don't me to sound harsh. Just go out and enjoy your time. If you worry about your car, you won't enjoy your experience of driving your car the way it was intended to be driven. Hard, fast, and in a safe environment.

Be careful....this can be addictive!

 

Those are cool, but I would need those black numbers outlined in white or have a different color.

Corner workers would not be able to see those on my black cab :-(