Found a way to protect our front lips from scratching...

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 1:36 am

Like many others in this forum, I'm doing everything i can do protect my ride and I've tried using different types of tape under the lip to prevent it from being damaged from the once-in-a-while scratches getting in and out of an unfamiliar driveway.

The problem is that with all the different types of tape that i've tried, they are either not weather proof, flimsy or come straight off as soon as there's minimal contact. What I'm ideally looking for is something that can soften the blow but remains invisible to the naked eye...

Another good thing I've found from Clark Rubber the other day, check this out:

http://www.clarkrubber.com.au/rubber-seals-and-mouldings/seals-and-mouldings.html

Scroll down to the bottom section for the EPDM Sponge Strips.

It's basically a thin layer of dense foam with strong adhesive on the side, cut to the meter. They come in all width and thickness but i would personally recommend the 3mm thickness as any less will not be enough and anymore will make it too obvious to the eye. Furthermore, a thicker foam also increases the chances of having the whole strip ripped off everytime you tag something.

*Will upload photos of the actual product soon but I'm really happy with it so far.

zorak · Postby **zorak** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 2:39 pm

seems like a good solution

I just use touch up paint - looks crap up close but you cant tell from more than 1m away.

Must have used about a litre on my lip over the years!

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 9:56 pm

i don't mind scratching the front lip. since its only a cosmetic item, you're damaging a side of it that can't be seen.

Jeo · Postby **Jeo** » Wed Jul 07, 2010 10:59 pm

+1

Kudos for trying though.

Postby **Okibi** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 12:18 am

I'd think a layer of plastic would work better, perhaps melt don't some 80's borgy copers then you can rail slide curbs.

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 1:39 am

Hey Badbong, any pix on this mod?

Alex · Postby **Alex** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:27 am

I've seen some fibreglass front bars which have small HDPE bumps on the bottom to prevent scraping off too much FG.
Not sure where you would get them from though

Tezzax5 · Postby **Tezzax5** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 11:16 am

Alex wrote:I've seen some fibreglass front bars which have small HDPE bumps on the bottom to prevent scraping off too much FG.
Not sure where you would get them from though

What about going to the local BW,bunnings,bait shop,etc

high density polyethylene sheets......AKA...bait boards..

Cut it into a few strips and stick it on with a bit of shoe goo

Should do the trick for all you lowriders out there..... :beer:

Benny · Postby **Benny** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 2:22 pm

I've always wondered why they don't fit small rollers onto the bottom of front lips, and also onto the corners of our bumper bars.

You see a lot of cars with scars on the corners of their bumpers, and if all cars had rollers mounted there, it would save a lot of scrapes and lost paint.

MINX · Postby **MINX** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 2:28 pm

You see a lot of cars with scars on the corners of their bumpers, and if all cars had rollers mounted there, it would save a lot of scrapes and lost paint.

How about this?

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 3:38 pm

Haha... good one MINX - once you've repainted your 5 into one of those, let us know and we need some pics for proof!

The advantage of these 'foam strips' is that they come with adhesive on one side already so you don't need to buy another product to clue the protective material onto the lip/bumper.

I'll get some pics up by the weekend once it has stopped bloody raining...

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 7:33 pm

I doubt this will work - foam and the road - I know which wins.

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Thu Jul 08, 2010 9:56 pm

well, it's not suppose to be tougher than the road or otherwise the bumper or the lip will take the hit.

It's meant to be something durable to low intensity scratches and bump and won't fall off or rip during the period when the car is in contact with the hard object - be it a speed hump or curb.

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:58 pm

yeah, watch them curbs.

badbong have you lowered your car yet?

BadBong · Postby **BadBong** » Fri Jul 09, 2010 1:34 pm

not planning to (and don't need to)...

Ain't going to track it anytime soon.

My black rims actually make the rims look like 17" instead so it fills the arch quite well

I'm already having difficulty navigating my way around suburban speed bumps and driveways... i can't imagine what will happen if i loose another inch of space :roll:

Anyways... *photos on their way!