Duct tape for track days?

I've had a couple people suggest putting duct tape (not blue painters tape, but duct tape) on the front of my car (not just on the headlights) to protect it from rocks when I run it on the track. Has anybody done this? Is there any prep to keep the tape from screwing up the paint? Does it matter which direction the tape goes down? How soon does it have to come off to keep from damaging the paint?

 

I wouldn't doo that.

 

Blue painters tape works fine.

Just get the headlights, front, fender flares, wheel arches, etc.

 

I wouldn't put duct tape on my car... it will mess up the paint, if left on for any amount of time....

 

Steve, what are you going to do when you are an old member?

 

Why would anyone put duct tape on their car?
I'd say just drive it as is, or get a clear bra for permanent protection. If you insist on covering up the front end, use blue painters tape.

 

http://www.installersstore.com/cgi-bin/INSstore.pl?user_action=list&category=Floor%20Protector%3BHard%20Floor%20Protection

 

I have done it before ... BUT I lay down the blue tape first and then put duct over it. No way does anybody use duct tape only.

 

If you have to, use this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaffer_tape

 

That's pretty much what I was thinking, although we used to use masking tape first and then duct tape over it. It would be asinine to put duct tape directly on the paint.

C.

 

Blue painters tape is used fairly often for track usage and doesn't damage / hurt the paint underneath. Paint protection film (as someone already mentioned earlier - aka "clear bra") is also an alternative you could consider for a more longer term protection