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File this one under "teaching old dogs new tricks!" I was on a new forum for a car I own and picked up this tip.
Use plastic food wrap, like Seran Wrap to cover the critical areas of your car. I have yet to try this, but I would suppose it might not work well on the sides, but it is worth a try. For sure the cost of materials is minimal, buy a typical roll of plastic wrap. Tear it to length and cut to width if you need to. No need to wet the surface, just press it down. This isn't going to look perfect, and it won't protect from rocks and steel I-beams, but it will protect from small particles and bugs. You can put it over headlights, grills (but don't block off airflow, just cover the actual parts). It won't be visible from much of a distance. You can open the hood and tuck it under the leading edges. Cover your license plate to keep bugs off of it. Cover the leading edges of your mirrors. The wrap might not still well to the pebbly black plastic type of mirrors, but any painted mirror will work well.
In the above picture, I have applied in less than about 30 seconds, a section of plastic wrap to the mirror on a 300C. Please ignore the dirt/bugs already UNDER the wrap, (even detailing guys can't have stuff perfect all the time!) but it shows that even in a hurry, you can cover a part quickly and it doesn't look all that bad. From a distance, and this is for travel only. Try a piece behind each wheel well, and even down the rocker panel. Maybe a piece of clear magic tape on the leading edge on the sides might keep it from peeling back. Be inventive! If you have a really nice paint job and are going on a trip, give it a try. I sure will my next trip. Don't leave it on forever, it is just for temporary use. If you find that it blows off, then don't use it since we don't want to litter the countryside, but if applied with care, and keeping the leading edges from being exposed to the wind it should last for a typical day trip. For short trips/temporary use, I would not worry about making it look perfect, but if you have a very sharp knife or razor holder, you can trim it to look pretty good. Some plastic wrap is thicker than others, try various types and see what happens. Donate the leftovers or rejected types to the kitchen. Have some fun.
Don Mallinson, President |
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