[chevymaro]

I'm leaving for a road trip in 3 days and its about a 600km drive of highway there and back. What products can I use to protect the front? It needs to be something in stores as I probably won't get a product delivered in time. I thought about blue tape, but it looks dumb in my opinion, but its the last resort. Options??

[Jsreo]

//https://www.roadwarriorplus.com/pages/resellers

Road warrior paint protection, there may be a distributor near you. you can also order through Amazon

[hammdo]

Originally Posted by Jsreo

//https://www.roadwarriorplus.com/pages/resellers

Road warrior paint protection, there may be a distributor near you. you can also order through Amazon

Ditto, use it for road racing...it works — unless it rains a good amount...

-Don

[Racerman27410]

i think you can also get that painters tape in spiffy Green as well. painters tape is ok for keeping the bugs and road grime off the front end or to keep the marbles from sticking to your paint at a track day.... but dont think it will stop a rock cause it wont.

Best bet is to drive like you want to protect your front end and leave plenty of room to vehicles in front of you.. ESPECIALLY trucks.

I've had mine on several long road trips with nothing but an extra coat of wax (to help with bug removal) and have not one chip..... i make a game out of finding the spaces in between traffic where i can just cruise with no one in directly in front of me.

[protovack]

I second the driving technique recommendation. There is little else you can do to avoid inevitable rock chips. It's a car, if you want to drive it on congested highways it will happen eventually. Find lanes where you aren't directly behind someone. Never tailgate.

[Baker]

I would order a novistretch just for future use I love mine

[trublucamaro]

Originally Posted by Baker

I would order a novistretch just for future use I love mine

Novistretch is a clear winner in bugs and “helping” with other debris, but if the rock is significant, this isn’t going to work.

I have one, and the mirror covers, and I love it. It gets covered in bugs and it goes in the wash. BUT it’s not a catch-all solution, none of the coatings or tape and such are. They all have their pros and cons. Driving technique and how close your willing to drive behind something else is key, even WITH a coating.


“Life begins at full throttle” ~ dude with a fast car...

[Gunkk]

Novistretch, trac wrap, roadwarrior plus, trakk tape, trackarmor, etc. all will stop small rock chips, bugs, etc. Same day/next day delivery to VCBC shouldn't be an issue. Sure you can use some low-tack painter's tape, but it'll take quite a while to cover the nose of the car 2" at a time. The wider purpose-made films won't be as pretty, but won't take as long. Roadwarrior plus is unique in this group: a liquid that rolls on and forms a film when it dries.

Wish I had some temp film when I brought The Mistress home. Almost entirely on 2 lane roads after hours so fortunately not a lot of trucks. But after 160 evening drive miles she was covered with bugs. Turtle wax bug and tar remover quickly took care of it.

If I was going on a long drive I would certainly carry a bottle of TWBATR with me.

[JT58]

Any long trip I typically wax the front of the car (or the entire car) and always bring what I call a "bug bucket" with a clean soft cotton wipe cloth. Every day at the end of the day I fill the bug bucket with clean water and clean off the front end, rear view mirrors and wind shield with the cloth. That way the bugs don't stay on too long and discolor the paint.

Second option I would consider is the Novistretch bra but have been using the bug bucket approach for years. It doesn't stop the rick chips though and I will touch any up with matching paint after the trip.

[LT4]

THIS ^^^
Keep in mind that the bugs are damaging when the guts turn to acid after several hours. Hot sunlight accelerates the process, while driving in the rain improves the situation. Cleaning the guts whenever you stop will be fine if you wax the hell out of the front end. No need to ugly up your car with blue tape.

[dpevans]

You could also overnight some expel from Amazon to do the front end.

[Sev]

Originally Posted by dpevans

You could also overnight some expel from Amazon to do the front end.

And quickly roll it into a ball and throw it in the trash. My Expel installer had to take his time due to the complex angles of the front end.

[Spartan268]

Originally Posted by chevymaro

I'm leaving for a road trip in 3 days and its about a 600km drive of highway there and back. What products can I use to protect the front? It needs to be something in stores as I probably won't get a product delivered in time. I thought about blue tape, but it looks dumb in my opinion, but its the last resort. Options??

I used road warrior on my last road trip to Kelowna. Worked great and the car looked like it never went on a trip at all. Just follow the usual advice of staying away from trucks and other vehicle and keep your own little bubble to protect yourself. Alternatively you can also be the pace car and just be ahead of everyone :P

[LT4]

Originally Posted by Sev

And quickly roll it into a ball and throw it in the trash. My Expel installer had to take his time due to the complex angles of the front end.

Agreed. i was quoted $475 just for front end, which was equal to both fenders combined. The angles are what cost all the work.