Temporary Film for Paint Protection

[SkeeterBait]

I need to find a film to run down my truck sides to prevent scratches when in brush country. And then peel it off when home. I saw a product called "Trakwrap" that looks promising. Have any of you guys used it? Or any other suggestions?
Thanks, Robert

 

[Travelin Ram]

I’ve considered a wrap, I went to a local shop and inquired; however the manager wasn’t very encouraging. Could be he just didn’t want the hassle or perceived some liability if it failed.

I have seen some trucks with Line-X on the body. Of course that’s permanent.

There are also the clear protective films from 3M and others. Semi permanent, as removal after years is labor intensive.

 

[chrisbh17]

AutoX guys use blue painters tape for a track day .....

 

[Gamedog]

Like a fat chick in a 2 piece, my truck wears its tiger stripes with pride.


Nah but seriously, 90% of the pinstripes I have on my truck so far can be buffed out with a medium cutting polish and dual orbital polisher. I plan to do this after hunting season.

The other 10% will just be stories.

 

[Overlander]

And this is why I bought a white truck...

 

[Halligan]

Pinstripes build character and only the first one hurts.

But if the thought of pinstripes makes you nauseous get it professionally wrapped.

 

[ScLeCo]

Nothing "temporary" will really provide much protection. Anything that will won't be easily removed or cheap.

 

[pwjouster]

with the crap quality of FCA paint, or modern auto paints in general, i wouldnt recommend.... the paint is literally falling off my ramboxes and i saw a new bmw m4 with the trakfilm and it literally pulled off the clearcoat. i love xpel and vinyl wraps but they are ridiculous to remove and sometimes cause these issues.

i would use custom magnet sheets to lay on the sides of the truck...
for me, i always planned to Linex the truck completely once i was fed up with the black pinstripe paint job im sporting.
my trucks paint is no bueno, but i really dont care for myself, just an issue when i go to sell lol

 

[WY-Dave]

This came out for Jeepers a few years ago. Just "find" some magnetic signs on vehicles stick them all over. Heck you could even get some business and hire your truck as a rolling billboard. Just don't take m ine for my wife's business

 

[Overlander]

I've never used those magnetic panels but I can't imagine them sealing well enough to prevent grit from getting under the edges and creating a sanding block.

 

[SkeeterBait]

Hey guys thanks for the thoughtful replies! I like the idea of the magnetic panels, never thought about that one. The best part about magnetic is they can be peeled off at the end of the day and reused later.

 

[UTAHPWRWGN]

I've had a wrap on my 2013 Land Cruiser and it's held up very well to years of desert abuse. It's got all sorts of battle scars but nothing that's reached the paint. A good wrap isn't cheap though and needs to be replaced every 3-4 years otherwise you risk doing real damage to the paint when trying to remove it. It's def performed better than I'd expected as far as pinstripe protection.

 

[WY-Dave]

I've never used those magnetic panels but I can't imagine them sealing well enough to prevent grit from getting under the edges and creating a sanding block.

I have the one for my wife's business on the tailgate and I was worried about the scratching too. Living on the dirt roads, I hardly ever wash the truck because in one trip the dust covers everything. When the road is wet, the truck looks like the Jeep when we went out in it. But the every once-a-while time I take the power washer to the truck, I start by taking the sign off and there is nothing under it. Not even the fine dust that seems to into the interior of the truck that I roll all the windows up when I park it. The common sense thing of making it sure both the surface and the sign are clean is the way to go.

On the Jeep forum, there were a couple of guys that bought the above magnetic panels (1 was even black) and they never reported any issues. I soon traded the Jeeps in and haven't kept up on any long term use of them.