Best way to prevent rock chips on highway?

ZJ JIM 96 · 08-04-05, 06:49

My girlfriend is planning to buy a couple of year old Thunderbird from a dealer in Texas, and I will be flying down there to drive it back to Louisville. I do not think the car has an existing clear bra, and I doubt I would have time to wait for one to be applied down there before driving back. Plus, being that it's a used car, I would assume that I will be polishing it out before we'd want to apply a clear bra.

Can anyone make recommendations as to the best way to protect the front end for the trip?

themightytimmah · 08-04-05, 06:53

Stay away from trucks, and on passenger cars, either stay *right* on their tail, or 100 feet behind. Do not drive within 50 feet of a truck if you can help it.

Setec Astronomy · 08-04-05, 06:53

How about a regular bra? I also remember someone putting black electrical tape on parts of the front of their car for the winter (I'm thinking this was someone from Canada....VW). Some of those tapes can leave a lot of residue, but some don't.

ZJ JIM 96 · 08-04-05, 07:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

How about a regular bra?

Yeah. I thought they were more expensive and would be a waste, since a clear bra would eventually be going on. But now I see they're just $50 on eBay. Maybe I'll get a LeBra just to use for the trip.

Thanks.

Bill D · 08-04-05, 07:21

I use one when I know the trucks are going to be around.

guapsnaman · 08-04-05, 07:24

Yea, go with the regular bra for now. If you do want a clear one, they're expensive to apply professionaly, and you have to be pretty good to do it yourself. Anyway, I'd only go with a clear bra after polishing the protected paint, and I'm sure you're not going to detail the car down in TX.

chrisx · 08-04-05, 02:54

You should look at something like this Temporary Skin . This particular product is in Australia but I guess a quick search on Google may yield some results for you.

theamcguy · 08-04-05, 04:32

The advice about watching what is in front was good. Stay back and don't get in a hurry. If someone passes you then pulls in drop back 100 ft minimum. Stay away from trucks. You may also try blue painters tape. Some guys use it at the track to keep their front ends from getting chipped. If it rains then immediately remove before the sun comes out or it may dry on or leave a hazy mark.

scottabir · 08-04-05, 04:44

My mazda owners manual recommends staying three hundred fifty some-odd feet from the vehicle in front of you to avoid rock chips.

ZJ JIM 96 · 08-04-05, 04:52

Thanks for all the actual driving advice. I am definitely not ever a tailgater, but I will pay particular attention during this trip.

That Autoskin stuff does look interesting, and I was able to find a US distributor of it. Maybe I'll give it a try, either on this trip or even on my Jeep, sometime.

Thanks!

JohnnyDaJackal · 08-04-05, 05:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZJ JIM 96

My girlfriend is planning to buy a couple of year old Thunderbird from a dealer in Texas, and I will be flying down there to drive it back to Louisville. I do not think the car has an existing clear bra, and I doubt I would have time to wait for one to be applied down there before driving back. Plus, being that it's a used car, I would assume that I will be polishing it out before we'd want to apply a clear bra.

Can anyone make recommendations as to the best way to protect the front end for the trip?

Take the back roads

But seriously as others said keep a good distance between trucks, and if possible maybe get a cheap front bra just for the ride home.

klnyc · 08-04-05, 05:48

Dont drive at all

J/K yo, 3M clear bra? Its pricy, but hey, its your car.