180mph, Paint-Safe, Clear Tape???

[cptinjak]

Hello all! I have been lurking this forum for a while but I finally need to post. I can't seem to get clear answers by searching.

I want to cover up the fog light openings on my C5 corvette. There are documented advantages (SAE paper 2002-01-3333, Aerodynamic Test and Development of the Corvette C5 for Showroom Stock Racing) to closing these openings in both decreased overall drag and increased frontal downforce. My motivations are mostly speed related and could be used one night at a time, but if I can come up with a good solution that is more permanent, I would also enjoy the inproved fuel efficiency on my commute.

I would like something strong enough to withstand the pressure created at speeds up to ~180mph, but also clear, as the foglights need to shine through. I would also like it to be rather inconspicuous, and not look like... well... like I put a bunch of tape all over my car, lol

I was thinking of packaging tape, as it seems like the only strong, clear, affordable solution, but I am worried about the adverse effects to the paint. Will I pull chunks of clear coat off when I remove the tape? Will sunlight deteriorate it and make a huge mess?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Jack


Sorry, but my post count is not high enough to post a photo of the foglight opening. Google "c5 corvette" and look at the images if you want to see what it looks like!

[Marc F.]

I googled c5 corvette fog lights and found fog light screens. Maybe a little fabrication with clear 1/8 polycarbonate and some stainless hardware would work for what you want.

Is there an intake for cooling air below that slot that holds the foglight? Performance engine equals lots of heat.

Welcome onboard!

[redorchestra]

there is a clear hockey tape that I think would be easier on removal. it burnishes really. well too 43aly

[Peter7307]

There is a tape made for helicopter rotor blade leading edges.
The maker is 3M and the product is a polyurethane material.
The part number is 8667HS and the thickness is about 28 mil.

No idea about costs or colour range.

Peter.

[pjbgravely]

I tried this, I used clear plastic from a craft store and used packing tape to hold it in place. It didn't work because moisture collected on the inside of the tape making the fog lights useless in the fog.

If you don't use your fog lights you could make a opaque cover for them. If you can seal around the lights it would be the same as the cover.

I only tried this because my valance was ruined by a deer strike, the paint started popping off a month after.

[ECONORAM]

Originally Posted by Peter7307

There is a tape made for helicopter rotor blade leading edges.
The maker is 3M and the product is a polyurethane material.
The part number is 8667HS and the thickness is about 28 mil.

No idea about costs or colour range.

Peter.

This is similar to what I was going to suggest. Leading edge tape, used on aircraft wing leading edges. Take a look here: Leading Edge Tape from Aircraft Spruce
[edit] I don't think regular packing tape will work; it didn't hold up well when I tried using it for wheel cover testing. Lowe's or Home Depot also carries "clear" duct tape, but the strings in it are white, so it's more of a translucent...

[Tango Charlie]

That leading edge tape isn't very transparent.
I would find some gaffer's tape in a color to match the car. Lay down a protective layer of gaffer's tape around the perimeter of the opening, then cut a piece of thin acrylic sheet to fit the opening. Tape that in place on top of the first layer of tape.
If you take the time to cut the tape nicely, I think it would look OK. I doubt if you would want to screw into your bumper like I did on my Vibe.

[IsaacMTSU]

You could try using InvisiShield type stuff. They can cut it to fit any shape or sell you a full sheet.

[JasonG]

I used packing tape for a quickie grill block.
I removes clean but the sun wil deteriorate it in a few months.
Do you really need th fog lights? Many cars don't have them.

[AeroModder]

Originally Posted by Marc F.

I googled c5 corvette fog lights and found fog light screens. Maybe a little fabrication with clear 1/8 polycarbonate and some stainless hardware would work for what you want.

Is there an intake for cooling air below that slot that holds the foglight? Performance engine equals lots of heat.

Welcome onboard!

Seconded. Don't bother with the tape.

For a permantent, good-looking solution, I say order a set of fog light cover screens/grilles and cut out a small piece of thin polycarbonate sheet to size and attach them to the screens.