Taping at the Track

Arsonism · 03-17-2014, 10:23 AM

At the end of this week I have an opportunity to hit the track for the first time in the new Z and I was thinking about going out and buying what looks to be some painters tape and applying it to the front of the car. I've never done this before as in my old Z I could have cared less about rock chips, but I wanted to see what everyone's attitude is towards people who do this.

Is it a totally "noob" thing to do?
Does it really help from rock chips?
Is it worth doing anything more than the front bumper?

TIA

(super excited for the first track day in the M Coupe

)

Kgolf31 · 03-17-2014, 10:32 AM

I have a clear bra on my car, so essentially it is doing what tape would be doing.

Taping the headlights would help protect the lens from rubber being kicked up...or what I like to call it OPR (Other People's Rubber)

The tape will help you just reduce cleanup from rubber getting hit and some occasional rock chips. IMO I think it is worth the time to tape it up

Arsonism · 03-17-2014, 10:44 AM

Forgot to also ask, best kind of tape? I assume everyone just uses multi-surface painters tape but never checked into that.

Thanks for the speedy response Kgolf!

Gladius · 03-17-2014, 11:16 AM

I don't generally tape the whole front bumper, usually just the leading edges of the sides. I also tape up the side skirts/fenders directly behind the front wheel, and the rear bumper right behind the rear wheels, as they tend to kick up a lot of gravel and debris that "spots" the paint in those two spots.

3002 tii · 03-17-2014, 12:01 PM

Tape is a good idea but I find that painters tape is too strong, in fact it can pull your paint if it's not original. They sell specific automotive tape which looks just like painter's tape. But I agree, taping is worth the effort. I double/triple layer on the headlights to prevent stone chips (cracked a fog light last season because I forgot to do this).

Before getting my clear bra, I used to single layer the front bumper, first 1/3rd of the hood, mirror caps and behind the wheel wells.

PLCZ4MC · 03-17-2014, 07:35 PM

I use tape as well in hole front bumper and headlights, logos of the car and the sides bottom part below the door in case I of under staring and getting off the track. But now I got the clean defender for front bumper, headlights, and first part of the hood.

i2ichal2dZ4M · 03-17-2014, 08:06 PM

no tape, no clear bra. because racecar lol. If I were to do it again, I would clear bra the headlights and thats pretty much it. All these years of driving, I get more front end chips/etc from daily driving. Must of the marks/etc get polished out during my bi annual detail.

sipman · 03-17-2014, 09:20 PM

I bought Mother's R3 Racing Rubber Remover last year. Haven't had the chance to try it yet, but hopefully it works.

jmillet · 03-18-2014, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skiddish

At the end of this week I have an opportunity to hit the track for the first time in the new Z and I was thinking about going out and buying what looks to be some painters tape and applying it to the front of the car. I've never done this before as in my old Z I could have cared less about rock chips, but I wanted to see what everyone's attitude is towards people who do this.

Is it a totally "noob" thing to do?
Does it really help from rock chips?
Is it worth doing anything more than the front bumper?

TIA

(super excited for the first track day in the M Coupe

)

I have 3M Scotchgard clear paint protection on my hood and front bumper cover but use the ISC Racers Tape around the wheel openings. It is easy to apply and doesn't leave any residue when removed.
http://www.racerstape.com/rtp.html
Name: 880021115_f5S34-O[1].jpg
Views: 369
Size: 88.0 KB

Name: 880021115_f5S34-O[1].jpg
Views: 369
Size: 88.0 KB

Use Mr Clean Magic Eraser with plenty of lubricant like final inspection to remove rubber rash

Arsonism · 03-19-2014, 10:17 AM

Is there a good alternative to racers tape that can be found in a local store? Unfortunately without adequate planning I'm left with local options for Friday.

Thanks again for all your responses! Looks like I'll be committing to some sort of tape and taking the time to do it tomorrow before we go out.

03-17-2014, 10:23 AM	#1
Arsonism Captain 158 Rep 747 Posts Drives: '08 M Coupe Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	Taping at the Track At the end of this week I have an opportunity to hit the track for the first time in the new Z and I was thinking about going out and buying what looks to be some painters tape and applying it to the front of the car. I've never done this before as in my old Z I could have cared less about rock chips, but I wanted to see what everyone's attitude is towards people who do this. Is it a totally "noob" thing to do? Does it really help from rock chips? Is it worth doing anything more than the front bumper? TIA (super excited for the first track day in the M Coupe )
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-17-2014, 10:32 AM	#2
Kgolf31 Brigadier General 459 Rep 4,531 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC, 2012 128i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Ohio iTrader: (4)	I have a clear bra on my car, so essentially it is doing what tape would be doing. Taping the headlights would help protect the lens from rubber being kicked up...or what I like to call it OPR (Other People's Rubber) The tape will help you just reduce cleanup from rubber getting hit and some occasional rock chips. IMO I think it is worth the time to tape it up
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2014, 10:44 AM	#3
Arsonism Captain 158 Rep 747 Posts Drives: '08 M Coupe Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	Forgot to also ask, best kind of tape? I assume everyone just uses multi-surface painters tape but never checked into that. Thanks for the speedy response Kgolf!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2014, 11:16 AM	#4
Gladius Two Wheels or Four? 93 Rep 655 Posts Drives: '18 Perf Edition m240i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Colorado iTrader: (1)	I don't generally tape the whole front bumper, usually just the leading edges of the sides. I also tape up the side skirts/fenders directly behind the front wheel, and the rear bumper right behind the rear wheels, as they tend to kick up a lot of gravel and debris that "spots" the paint in those two spots. __________________ Current: '18 AW Performance Edition m240i Gone: '15 Mineral Grey m235i \|\| '07 Silver Grey M Coupe \|\| '11 Space Grey 328i XDrive \|\| '08 SparkG M3 \|\| '01 LSB M3 \|\| '01 TiAg 330ci
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2014, 12:01 PM	#5
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2282 Rep 12,565 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22]	Tape is a good idea but I find that painters tape is too strong, in fact it can pull your paint if it's not original. They sell specific automotive tape which looks just like painter's tape. But I agree, taping is worth the effort. I double/triple layer on the headlights to prevent stone chips (cracked a fog light last season because I forgot to do this). Before getting my clear bra, I used to single layer the front bumper, first 1/3rd of the hood, mirror caps and behind the wheel wells. __________________ Follow for latest mods
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2014, 07:35 PM	#6
PLCZ4MC Proud E86M Owner 79 Rep 650 Posts Drives: 07 Z4M Coupe Monaco Blue Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: South California iTrader: (4)	I use tape as well in hole front bumper and headlights, logos of the car and the sides bottom part below the door in case I of under staring and getting off the track. But now I got the clean defender for front bumper, headlights, and first part of the hood.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2014, 08:06 PM	#7
i2ichal2dZ4M Lieutenant 63 Rep 516 Posts Drives: 2007 BSM Z4MC Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Los Angeles, California iTrader: (1)	no tape, no clear bra. because racecar lol. If I were to do it again, I would clear bra the headlights and thats pretty much it. All these years of driving, I get more front end chips/etc from daily driving. Must of the marks/etc get polished out during my bi annual detail. __________________ 2007 BSM Z4M Coupe - 18" VOLK TE37 - 18" Apex ARC-8 - GC Track/Street
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-17-2014, 09:20 PM	#8
sipman Private First Class 19 Rep 196 Posts Drives: 2007 Z4MC Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Philly iTrader: (1)	I bought Mother's R3 Racing Rubber Remover last year. Haven't had the chance to try it yet, but hopefully it works. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-19-2014, 10:17 AM	#10
Arsonism Captain 158 Rep 747 Posts Drives: '08 M Coupe Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	Is there a good alternative to racers tape that can be found in a local store? Unfortunately without adequate planning I'm left with local options for Friday. Thanks again for all your responses! Looks like I'll be committing to some sort of tape and taking the time to do it tomorrow before we go out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote