Safe tape to tape cardboard to my car?

[Eli]

I have been using 3M Scotch No Residue Duct Tape, with fantastic results.

It applies and holds great, is waterproof and leaves no residue. You can even unstick and reapply it. I haven't been using it that long, but it says on the package it's guaranteed not to leave residue for six months.

I bought mine at Lowes. No need to special order.

[AeroModder]

I just use Gorilla tape. Super sticky and lasts forever. Won't get loose, even in the rain.

I was recommended it by someone I was getting some clear plastic from to cover a window. Never went back to duct tape.

[Eli]

I heard Gorilla Tape is so good, when you want to remove it, it will rip your paint off. Is this true?

Not a problem for some, but others would surely be disappointed to find that out the hard way.

[AeroModder]

It hasn't ripped any of my paint off, and I've pulled it off quite a few times. The only thing it did chip off was the black paint on the door frames, but those are already old and chipping.

[aerohead]

I've had enough conventional duct tape failures,that for years now,I've relied on aluminum HVAC peel-backed tape.I get mine at The Home Depot.
You can prime and paint it if properly de-greased.
It has significant adhesion and holding power and is immune to weather of any kind short of a hail storm.
Kinda pricey,but you literally get what you paid for.
P.S. Always 'shingle' your tape with air lapping the seams,as water does over roof shingles,working from back to front.

[NeilBlanchard]

The gaffers tape mentioned by Tom earlier is probably the best temporary/semi permanent solution. I have used "transparent" 3M Duct tape, and it is pretty good, too; but it leaves residue and water and then grit can let it lift off.

Gorilla tape is wicked strong and very sticky, too -- but it leaves a LOT of residue, and about 6-8 months in heat and cold, and it gives up the ghost.

The aluminum foil tape Phil mentioned is very strong and nearly permanent. I used it on my alloy wheels, and Change Ho Kim used it all over his CRX, with acrylic sheets, no less.

[redyaris]

An other option is to use the clear or colored ahesive sheets used by sign shops to put signs on the sides of cars and trucks. It comes in 12" wide rolls and some sign shops will give you small amounts for free.

[AeroModder]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Gorilla tape is wicked strong and very sticky, too -- but it leaves a LOT of residue, and about 6-8 months in heat and cold, and it gives up the ghost.

Yeah, forgot to mention that part, especially if it's been sitting in the sun. I spent a good week cleaning it off of my door frame when I needed to put some plastic up to cover a broken window, but it lasted through the California summer and Oregon rainstorms. It was still a pain to rip off.

[VWCw]

the gorilla tape i used for a partial bellypan held up better then i expected through a minnesota winter, but finally flew apart at highway speed. i only had it attached to plastic parts, but i'm guessing it will leave a pretty nasty residue on paint. what's worked surprisingly well for me is 3M clear packaging tape. the one time that i had to remove it from my grille it came off pretty easily with no reside. i was expecting catastrophic failure of my tape wheel skirts at speed (as seen in my thread), but they're still on two weeks later.