Question about transporting a freshly painted car.

[1sikvert]

I need some ideas on how to transport a car that is being trailered about 300 miles and has paint and clear coat that is less than 24 hours old. Here is my story:

As I have said before I work for a company that manufactures aftermarket aerodynamics (bodykits, hoods, spoilers, etc.) and SEMA (the world's largest aftermarket car show/convention) is this upcoming week. We have a customer's new BMW 335ci twin turbo coupe that sits about one inch from the ground and will be sporting fresh paint and clear coat on a new bodykit and hood. I will be trailering it from Southern California to Las Vegas (about 300 miles away) and we plan to load the car onto a flat bed trailer and cover it with a car cover.

Now the tricky part: We need a way of wrapping and protecting the fresh paint under the car cover. I was thinking of using masking paper and painters tape then bubble wrapping over that to add some extra protection. then place the car cover over it and bungie cord the car cover underneath the car while wrapping the end of the cords in tape and bubble wrap just to be safe in case the cords come loose. To load it onto and off of the trailer I was going to use 4 wood planks to help get the car up and down the loading ramps.

Any help (especially from painters) would be greatly appreciated. I need any and all advice ASAP because I have to come up with some ideas before Friday October 26th 5pm PST. Sorry for the short notice and thanks again family for all of your help.

[slowpoke240]

who did the paint job? if they baked the car it should be fine...

[Jager]

the paper method might work, but why not just rent an enclosed trailer? roll the car in, strap it in securely, and your ready to roll with maximum protection from anything on the road.

id be alot less concerned with the paint getting scratched or damaged as i would be about rocks, road debris, etc denting or scratching the car up. the enclosed trailer would totally prevent that from occuring in most common situations.

[ishkabibble]

why not just rent an enclosed trailer?

[amolao]

Enclosed trailer???

If you are really worried, this is the way to go. If you have to go with a regular trailer:

Make sure to use a good quality (breathable/spongy) cover. Make sure to protect any exposed areas like you described. You don't any loose cords or areas of the cover chaffing the paintjob. Tape all the way around the edge of the cover to prevent any damage to the paint from the rough edges of the cover. Stop every half an hour and check for any loose ends during the trip.

[sommmatt]

Build a strong wood frame over the trailer and just throw a tarp or similar on the frame?

[Florida240sx]

I'd lay a bed sheet over the car. Then car cover. Now are you pullling it to where the rear wheels are touching the ground?

[Hijacker]

sikvert, I combined a couple of your threads that you plastered around all the 240 related forums. You only need one

[TIMELSS_vert]

dude, I would just go for an enclosed trailor as mentioned previously

If not for the protection alone, I think the customer would be much less concerned if you used one and I personally think it looks much more professional, just mho though

[1sikvert]

Thanks for the info guys, my company is renting the open top flat bed trailer because that's the only kind that they were able to get a hold of . The rear wheels will not be touching the ground because the rear bumper and $5,000 exhaust would be scrapping the ground. I don't think the rental company would appreciate me building a frame onto their trailer so that's not gonna work either. The bed cover is a good idea though so I may run with that and some bubble wrap under the car cover.

And tenkawa_akito: I'm very sorry for plastering this thread everywhere I don't mean to cause any trouble I am just simply trying to get as much effective feedback from as many people as possible whom may not read into this particular forum. I am simply in a pinch to find a solid solution in as little time as possible. So I am very sorry.

[Urnext]

honestly this may be a stretch but use the marine shrink wrap that they use on boats its a little expensive but defiantly worth the money. Its also very similar to the wrap that the factory uses when they ship cars to the dealer.Hope this helpsBrad

[1sikvert]

Thank you once again everyone for all of your ideas and help. Luckily the paint was baked on so I just used some bed sheets and a car cover and it made it to Vegas just fine. We did have to remove the front bumper though in order to get it onto and off of the trailer but everything went great otherwise. I'll get some pics of the car up once my sponsorship guy posts them up on our server at work.

[TIMELSS_vert]

can we get some pics of this gem? I am curious as to see what such precious cargo looks like!!!

[1sikvert]

Here are the pics of the car as requested:

Rotora's 2008 BMW 335ci Twin Turbo Coupe:

Full Extreme Dimensions Urethane body kit, Carbon Creations Hood, Carbon Creations Trunk, and Carbon Creations Roof and Trunk Wings, enjoy

[krash]

thats a freakin sweet ride!! ive always wanted to see a hooked up 08 3 series. and the white and carbon fiber theme is awesome. thats of my favorite schemes. LOOKS NICE!!!