How to protect your car doors from dings in the garage

Our new home has a nice size garage but our Jeep ends up close to the wall and you have to be careful to be sure you don't bang the doors on the garage walls when you get in and out. I wanted to make some sort of padded rail and what I came up with cost only a few dollars and 10 minutes of time.

Get a length of 1/2" pvc pipe at the hardware store (I bought 10' for less than $2). Also get a length of 1/2" foam pipe insulation (8' was less than $1). This is the stuff that is split down the middle that is commonly seen on air conditioners or outdoor water pipes. Open the door on the vehicle and figure out what height above the floor to mount the pipe so the door will strike it rather than the wall. Put some 1/2" spacers behind the pipe and zip a few 3" screws through the pipe and spacers and into the wall (I didn't take the time to locate studs, I just used the large auger shaped self drilling drywall anchors). Slip on the foam insulation and your done. If the insulation ever gets chewed up go spend another dollar and replace it!

Costs nothing and actually looks attractive. Works perfectly!

 

There's no easy way to attach it to the wall without having exposed screw heads or straps. Mounting the pipe and then putting insulation over it means there is no chance of striking anything hard because all the screws are underneath. The pipe also makes it more visually appealing because it holds the foam in a nice straight line on the wall.