Low cost paint protection while hunting

[45ACP]

I've been hunting with friends who end up with scratches on their trucks from branches dragging down the sides. I wanted to take my truck hunting but didn't want to get it scratched up. The front is covered with Venture Shield. But I wanted a temporary covering for the sides and tailgate.

I just bought a roll of "Carpet Mask Protection Film" from Home Depot. It's a $10.99, 2ft by 50ft roll of adhesive film that should do a great job. I tried a small piece and it didn't leave a residue when removed. I will also use it to protect the interior while hunting and camping.

If anyone has tried this, how did it work for you? It seems like a cost effective solution for temporary paint protection.

[BSinger82]

I am taking my crewmax to get Symoniz -ed tomorrow. It is a DuPont Teflon paint protetction system that the dealer offers. It covers acid rain, bird crap, tree sap, and UV rays. I'm thinking it will help protect from scratches as well.

It also covers the interior as well. If they can't fix it, they'll replace it.

[jarheadfor4]

What about getting some magnetic sign material? I know you can buy magnetic camo for the sides, but it is out of my budget. I looked into this solution with my last truck. Where I deer hunt you can't hardly drive without briars or limbs touching the side. Being a manly man, I feel like I need to take the Tundra too. Or....you could just buy an old jeep or small tacoma and use it instead.

Talk amongst yourselves.....

[Mang]

BSinger-do a google search on the product you are getting applied. My dealer tried selling me something similar and I search it and found out it had a '5 year warranty' but they had to reapply every 6 months and that you get better results for the money getting your truck detail every six months.

Just trying to give you a heads up!

[blueflash]

Originally Posted by BSinger82

I am taking my crewmax to get Symoniz -ed tomorrow. It is a DuPont Teflon paint protetction system that the dealer offers. It covers acid rain, bird crap, tree sap, and UV rays. I'm thinking it will help protect from scratches as well.

It also covers the interior as well. If they can't fix it, they'll replace it.

You won't get any scratch protection from Symoniz. It will not warranty against scratches either.

[45ACP]

The magnetic sheets protect the paint, but they will scratch the paint if placed on a dirty surface. They can also be expensive.

[azmatsci]

Let me know how the carpet film works, I don't want the Arizona Pinstriping to happen to mine either.

Will.

[mhadden]

I've used the carpet film and painters tape and both worked great. The carpet film was a little easier to remove after 3 days of driving; painters tape was a bitch (granted it was pretty hot when I did it). Also, if you care about looks, painters tape looks goofy going down the road, though other car/truck freaks will know what its there for.

[Last Rites]

I use painters tape on the interior on the bottom of the door panels. Only took me 1 time getting out and scuffing it to do that, so all 4 doors have it. Also put it on the console so the seat belt wont rub on it.

Oh...when my friend picked up is Evo from a florida dealership we covered the front end with a roll of painters tape, as well as the side mirros for the ride back to Ga. Got some weird looks, but darn it it kept the front end protected LoL

[willy]

3M had a booth at the SEMA show where they showed how they put a clear protective film on an SUV. It was really interesting. The tech would take his knife out and scratch the vehicle, and the scratches would not make it through the plastic film. Seems like a no brainer to me, and he said it would last several years before it would need to be replaced. When I looked at the SUV, I couldn't even tell the protective film was on it.

[TUNDRA786]

you gotta get some pics of it done. Im sure you guys are gonna be getting alot of looks on the freeway

[123Gone]

Another idea: How about LINE-X with Xtra, which is fortified with Dupont Kevlar? Black or have it color matched to your paint. It will resist fading and loss of gloss.

[azmatsci]

Line-X isn't smooth enough for me. I like that gloss look, and the Line-X would have to go from the bottom of the bed to the top and the whole length.

Will.

[RudyDep]

Originally Posted by 45ACP

I've been hunting with friends who end up with scratches on their trucks from branches dragging down the sides. I wanted to take my truck hunting but didn't want to get it scratched up. The front is covered with Venture Shield. But I wanted a temporary covering for the sides and tailgate.

I just bought a roll of "Carpet Mask Protection Film" from Home Depot. It's a $10.99, 2ft by 50ft roll of adhesive film that should do a great job. I tried a small piece and it didn't leave a residue when removed. I will also use it to protect the interior while hunting and camping.

If anyone has tried this, how did it work for you? It seems like a cost effective solution for temporary paint protection.

This seems like a perfect solution to my problem with driving to Atlanta and getting bugs all over the front of my truck and mirrors.

[TUNDRA786]

Everything gets scratched offroad. Including my roof.
I would have to Line X the whole thing and that would cost an arm and a leg. Thats something id do to a hard core offroad or hunting vehicle.