What's your ground clearance on your front fiberglass?

[ERA427]

for the 427 version: Mine's about 3.5 inches and it's touched down a number of times going through a non-threatening-looking depression in the road. I assume that this is common but it makes me cringe. I am as careful as I can "reasonably" be. But I'm really worried that a hard hit will crack it's "chin"

I had it parked next to a couple FFRs and theirs were notably higher off the ground.

I don't have any particular mods that should be making it higher or lower than "to spec."

[patrickt]

It's common, and it's stronger than you think. With sunken spots, you'll find that if you go through them at an angle, instead of straight on, you're less likely to scratch bottom.

[ERA Chas]

6" Helicopter tape is the answer for protecting the gel coat.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

6" Helicopter tape is the answer for protecting the gel coat.

WTF is helicopter tape?

[DanEC]

I guess it's best to take those head-on photos of your car early in it's life it sounds like.

I'm curious about the helicopter tape also.

[kevins2]

I'd never heard of helicopter tape either...from Amazon.com:

ISC Helicopter-OG Surface Guard Tape (8 mil Outdoor Grade) is an extremely tough conformable polyurethane tape which was formerly referred to as helicopter/leading edge wing tape. It provides excellent paint protection from punctures, tearing, abrasion and erosion and is available in an indoor grade or an outdoor grade. Indoor grade can be used anywhere it will not be directly exposed to ultra violet light (the sun). If exposed to sun light, it may yellow over time. Outdoor grade provides excellent protection against ultra violet light, temperature extremes and automotive solvents. Outdoor grade will not yellow over time. The tape is clear/transparent and is supplied on a white paper release liner. Be sure to take note that ISC Surface Guard Tape is made of Polyurethane material not PVC or Vinyl. These other types cannot, and will not, take the abuse that Polyurethane will. Applications for the surface protection tape are endless and include: bicycle frames, body panels on race cars, ground effects, top fuel wings, bumpers, tailgates, trailer walls, Sprint car wings, roll cages, toolboxes, headlights, wheel wells, truck beds, and door and hood edges. Also used to protect bar code labels under extreme conditions like at ski resorts (to protect skis please see ISC's Helicopter-OG-HD tape which provides more aggressive adhesion). Anywhere there is a surface, unpainted or painted, that is prone to scratching, chipping or weathering, ISC's Surface Guard Tape can do the job. Super tough film requires razor knife or scissors for cutting. Supplied on 92 lb. easy release polycoated liner. Requires no heat or solvent to activate. * Items marked as retail package come in a retail blister pack with hanger holes (currently only the 12 ft. length rolls come in a retail package). This product was mentioned in the October 2008 issue of Motorcycle Consumer News (page 48 Product Report).

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by DanEC

I'm curious about the helicopter tape also.

Chas is just reliving his days back in My Lai.

[Danr55]

It also called Ordnance Tape. Tougher than a whore's heart and as ugly as one, also.

I've got about 4.25 inches to my wind damn.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Danr55

It also called Ordnance Tape. Tougher than a whore's heart and as ugly as one, also.

I've got about 4.25 inches to my wind damn.

Uhhh, how do you get it off there once you've put it on?

[flaflier]

A heat source is best. Wd-40 and Goo Gone do work ok for removing adhesive residue. Rubbing alcohol will work for some residues as well but the best product out there is adhesive remover. Some Auto parts stores will have it but all Auto Paint supply houses stock it. The stuff is incredible. This is the stuff that is used to remove residue from stickers or vynel on cars. It is the safest and most powerful stuff out there. Btw its also 100% safe for clear coated finishes.

[patrickt]

Well, it's too late now....

[kevins2]

I plan to put clear film on the front of my car (doors and rear fenders also). Maybe a strip of this tape over that on the bottom edge in front...although I doubt it'd come off of the clear film once applied.

[ERA Chas]

Sorry-I searched my folders and guess that's one part of the car I never took a snap of.

You can barely see the edges on either side of the lower stripes. It's that wide and the depth of ERA's chin. It scuffs but saves the gel and paint. Ferocious grip-don't use it on the hips. Comes off with a heat gun-I changed it about every 3 or 4 seasons. Also thin strips aft of the rear tires at the lower body edges. Takes a bad beating from gravel.

[DanEC]

I have quite a bit of the clear something-or-other adhesive protective film that I bought from JC Whitney years ago. It is about 6 inches wide and has a white paper backing. It's pretty thick but I don't think the adhesive is as strong as the above posts indicate. I'm not sure how it compares. I would guess it's 6 or 7 mils thick at least - about twice as thick as the stuff they use for clear masking the front of cars. I guess a couple pieces of it - one on top the other - at the very bottom of the scoop would provide pretty good protection other than a real solid, fiberglass cracking type impact.

I've also put clear urethane headlight plastic kits on our cars for about 10 years now. That stuff is really tough - about 1/16 inch thick and other than a case of some bubbling from overly hot fog lights - it seems industructable. Looks pretty much the same after 9 years of use. It would be some pretty nice stuff to find in bulk.

[ERA Chas]

The beauty of H-tape is you don't need a lot of thickness or layers.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

The beauty of H-tape is you don't need a lot of thickness or layers.

I mis-read the above info from Kevin - thought it said it came in a 92 lb. roll. Didn't know what I would do with all that. A roll for $59 is much more reasonable.