OK, don't laugh - Pinstriping protection?

[Hopeless Diamond]

Yep, newbie here (at least on the forum). Been around the block many times and have not been known for worrying too much for keeping things pristine. Most of my vehicles end up looking "well-used" and I typically prefer a coat of dust to a coat of wax. I don't however like thrashing things and if there's a way to protect them, I'd prefer it.

I'm the proud owner of a new F350 (going for the subtle eco-look)

IMG_7491 by JR Bad Habit, on Flickr

I'd like to protect the sides and paint as long as possible. I know my driving style and tendencies, so I do have limited expectations.

Has anybody ever come across a way to protect the sides of a vehicle from pinstriping. Not necessarily a permanent solution, but something that could be applied or ? for the weekend or so. I had started thinking of Invisble Bra material, then looked at the price and that ended that. But, then I thought about the temporary floor protection film they use on construction sites (http://www.homedepot.com/Flooring-C...Id=10053&langId=-1&storeId=10051#.UEqCdFFc08k). Does any know how the adhesive releases from auto paint? At $12 for a 50' roll, that possible could save a lot of paint jobs. It's not like you would have to worry about how it looks, as long as it sticks (and comes off with out a mess) and can stand up to the typical trail overgrowth. A couple of quick runs down each side, slice some openings for the doors and you're good to go.

As you can see by the truck, it's not meant for anything extreme, but here in the PNW, roads get overgrown real quick and the pinstriping is hard to prevent. Good idea?, crazy idea?, who cares?

 

[4x4x4doors]

Had an acquaintance years ago who took sheets of flexible magnetic material and stuck it on the sides while off the beaten path.
Did fine for the light growth. Wouldn't stand up to a firmly attached limb and also wouldn't hit the $12 price point.

 

[bob91yj]

No idea how much those vehicle wraps cost or how durable it is, maybe check into just doing the sides.

 

[Clutch]

No idea how much those vehicle wraps cost or how durable it is, maybe check into just doing the sides.

Usually it is "roughly" $5000 for a whole vehicle.

OP: I would just keep a good coat of wax on it, and buff out the pinstriping after a trail run, rather bothering with a wrap, or protective film.
That or stay off the trails if you're worried about scratches, trucks are meant to be used...but I know, you want it to keep it looking good as long as possible,
the first scratch is always the hardest.


What does "subtle eco-look" mean? I never heard that term before, especially on a F350!

 

[bob91yj]

Yikes, I had no idea the wraps were that expensive.

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

What does "subtle eco-look" mean? I never heard that term before, especially on a F350!

Yeah, bright red F350's aren't known to be too subtle or "Eco", although it gets better mileage than my old F150.

I should keep it waxed which would do a lot to protect it, but then I know me. I usually get my vehicles washed 2 or 3 times a year whether they need it or not. I may try and keep a roll of it in the tool-box and have it handy if I get into some overgrowth, I don't like turning around. If it can save the sides a little longer, it's worth the $12, and there's probably other things it could be useful for in an emergency

 

[NC_IslandRunner]

3M makes a clear protective film you can apply, not sure on cost but it's cheaper than a wrap, I also have heard of someo one planning on using plasti-dip as it will just peel off if it gets ugly. Not sure on how well the plasti-dip would protect. Invisiblemask.com sells the 3M stuff cut to fit your truck.

 

[Clutch]

Yikes, I had no idea the wraps were that expensive.

Yeah we looked into it for one of our fleet vans...ah no thanks, went with a simple vinyl stripe down the length of the van and logo on the door.

And actually, I liked that better very clean and professional, some of those wraps are so garish I don't know what
they are selling/advertising.

 

[Clutch]

Yeah, bright red F350's aren't known to be too subtle or "Eco", although it gets better mileage than my old F150.

I should keep it waxed which would do a lot to protect it, but then I know me. I usually get my vehicles washed 2 or 3 times a year whether they need it or not. I may try and keep a roll of it in the tool-box and have it handy if I get into some overgrowth, I don't like turning around. If it can save the sides a little longer, it's worth the $12, and there's probably other things it could be useful for in an emergency

Off topic, is your truck gas or diesel? and what is the fuel mileage.

Yeah, anything to make it look good as long as possible. I know I am pretty OCD about keeping my dirt bikes looking good as long as I can,
of course with my latest bike, I ran through a barb wire fence on its' maiden voyage.

 

[Hopeless Diamond]

It's a diesel. They have big chrome badges on the side that I took off, a little too bling for me. I'm getting 16-17 around town and 19-20 for highway. The first weekend I had it, we took a little drive about, ~330 miles, mix of highway, mountain roads (up and over Chinook Pass and Snoqualmie Pass), and about 50 miles of forest service roads. Got over 19mpg, not bad for a brand new motor that had less than 500 miles on it.

My old F150 with the 5.4 would never get better than 15. So far looks like Ford did good with this new 6.7, it's unbelievably strong, and quite too. A lot of complexity though so time will tell, the older 6.0 and 6.4s had a lot of problems. This new one has been out for a couple of years now though and to be holding up well.

I use to take my key in the dealers lot and put a small scratch in a hidden place so that way it was de-virginized, forgot to do that on this one.

 

[4x4x4doors]

If you can include the words "don't laugh" in the thread title, I can invoke the same in my response.
Contac brand shelf paper.
No longer easy to find. Way back when recall a neighbor using it to cover the damage to a simulated wood grain wagon side.
Similar to the OP suggestion. Low dollar "investment". Easy to replace.

 

[brian90744]

Temporary spray on.
I found a temporary spray on by Dupli-Color (clear). Spray on the lower sides, and when you get home wash it of, Really heavy scars=good luck.

 

[6x6pinz]

I kept my 98 Durango looking good until the day I sold it (just a few months ago) by simply keeping a heavy wax coat on it a couple times a year. some of the scratches were deep enough that after a dust storm you could see them but the smaller ones just buffed out. My detail guy did not like hunting season as he knew the desert was going to cause him some extra time on my truck.

 

[LR Max]

Call around to auto body shops/detail shops and ask about getting your truck wrapped in 3M clear coating. Basically, it is a clear shield over your paint to protect the entire car from issues.

Its commonly used on sportscars on the nose to protect against stone chips.

It'll cost you a couple hundred to wrap something that big, and only last 2 years, but in 2 years the paint will still look brand new.

If I ever buy a new car, I will do a partial wrap on the high wear areas (nose, door handles, sills, etc). I've been very impressed with the stuff.

 

[98roamer]

I can't find it now, but I saw a thread were someone used the blue painters tape on the sides of a ??white?? VW Tourage. You said don't laugh.