Hood Cover

DryBones · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:31 pm

Anybody tried one of these? Just wondering if they would be okay as a temporary guard for when I tie off the bow lines on my kayak to the tow hooks. I don't like the idea of the ropes rubbing directly on the paint.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 3:52 pm

DryBones wrote:

I don't like the idea of the ropes rubbing directly on the paint.

If this scares ya then wait till you see your paint after this cover has had a chance to work on it.

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 4:21 pm

I have to disagree with woody, I have this, and also had one on my TJ, neither did any damage to the paint. The only issue with the one for the KJ is that it tends to "inflate" or billow up at speeds above 50mph of so, but its not a major issue. I love the look of the t-bra too!

daspes · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:10 pm

I'm with Woody on this. I had one a white XJ. After a year it had stained the paint from mildew on the fabric underside.

tommudd · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 5:57 pm

I bought a Z-28 one time for the (then Mrs. now EX) and it looked great had one of those Bras on it, when I took it off I was *&^*& had all the paint worn off, had to repaint the hood!!

Jeep4me99 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 6:19 pm

the guys have valid points, but i think the points are only valid with the usage of the bra. You can't leave it on all the time. If you do, then your paint will be ruined. If it rains, and you leave it on, your paint will be clouded, mildew will form, ect. I used mine in shorter durations. After a wash I would put it on, once it rained I would take it off so not to ruin the paint. I wouldn't leave it on for more than 4 or 5 days at a time.

KJ-BOL · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:20 pm

Jeep4me99 wrote:

the guys have valid points, but i think the points are only valid with the usage of the bra. You can't leave it on all the time. If you do, then your paint will be ruined. If it rains, and you leave it on, your paint will be clouded, mildew will form, ect. I used mine in shorter durations. After a wash I would put it on, once it rained I would take it off so not to ruin the paint. I wouldn't leave it on for more than 4 or 5 days at a time.

X2
I have this on my JK

will not leave it on all the time - I use it for a couple days then it goes out - then use it again from time to time
This is not an "all the time' item

hyedipin · **Joined:** Thu May 11, 2006 10:20 am **Posts:** 1667

just don't keep it wet (however this is possible, anyway) and you won't have stain.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:37 pm

I agree also. I had one on my motorhome and I pitched it after noticing the effect on the paint.

Terry

RAYMAN975 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 7:38 pm

he even said in his original post that he would use it temporaily when he has his kayaks so the ropes wouldnt rub on the paint. if you have common sense you would know that leaving a bra on ALL the time will FOR SURE screw up your paint. anything that runs down your hood... dust, dirt, rain, snow, ice, salt will get under the bra and stay there, period. i would only use one for short periods like others havr said. if i had a really nice car with no imperfections on it yet, going on a long highway trip or something, and then take it off when your home driving around city streets or something. and if it does rain, take it off and let it dry, or wash it.

you can wash those in the washer and dryer correct?

CD · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:22 pm

WoodysKJ wrote:

DryBones wrote:

I don't like the idea of the ropes rubbing directly on the paint.

If this scares ya then wait till you see your paint after this cover has had a chance to work on it.

I took my clear plastic hood cover of for that very reason, I now have a nice little rubbed paint job on either side of the hood.

Albert · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 10:59 pm

I used to tie my canoe down to the front tow hooks (different vehicle) and I took 2 heavy cotton socks and cut the toe out and slipped it on the straps (I used straps that were flat) on to the front hood where the straps hit the paint. Never had a problem.

Oh, and my jeep doesn't need a bra..........

RAYMAN975 · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:05 pm

i dont even know why they make bras for jeeps. i mean...their jeeps! thats why they make touchup paint! lol but i mean i can see why you would want soemthing so the paint doesnt get rubbed from the rope, i can definitely see that. but what the guy above me said, for what you want, a soft rag or a sock would be fine so your paint doesnt get rubbed

2006 KJ · **Posted:** Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:43 pm

i considered a bra for the KJ at first.. then i got a few PA pinstripes from wheel'in and decided they gave it more character than a bra would :lol:

plus there no use in worry about every rock chip that the jeep acquires, i'm going to keep it till it rots to the ground.. and the seams, underneath, and door bottoms will rot out way before the hood.

back on topic, the bra would damage your paint if a light layer of dust, grime, or dirt gets under it or the edges of it. Especially if moves around because of the wind or just in general it will act like a hand on sand paper.

DryBones · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 7:39 am

I thought about just stuffing rags under the ropes at the point of contact. not sure I can do the sock thing though...socks just don't look cool! :lol:

sleeve84028 · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 8:25 am

You can get tie-down pads from your local boat store. use the pads to keep the ropes from rubbing off your paint.

stick · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 9:34 am

There is no way I would buy one of those and keep it on for any length of time. Only bad things will happen to your paint under there. However, if you plan to use it only when carrying you kayaks, then I don't see a problem with it. I think it comes down to how much the bra costs (can we call it a bro instead of a bra?) and how hard it is to put it on and take it off. I've seen some rope / strap protectors in the local outfitter store where I bought my kayaks. They do exactly what you're looking for. They're either little nylon or neoprene sleeves that you put over the rope / strap and it rests against your vehicle. They were pretty cheap and wouldn't take much time to install. Heck, you could just leave them on your ropes / straps all the time. Personally, I'd go with something like that before I'd buy a bra ...er...I mean "bro"

Albert · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:35 am

DryBones wrote:

I thought about just stuffing rags under the ropes at the point of contact. not sure I can do the sock thing though...socks just don't look cool! :lol:

What you could do is go to a canoe/kayak place and look for the molded rooftop rubber type canoe pads. I don't know what they call them. They have a round hole and a slot in them for putting the canoe rails in when you mount it on the roof of a car that has no roof rack. Just put the rope in those and put them on the hood. If they are too long just buy one and cut it in half. They are usually blue or grey. When you see them you will know what I mean. That way you can keep your socks on.

scoobysnax · **Posted:** Thu Dec 13, 2007 11:21 am

If you’re going to put one of those on your jeep let’s at least call it a “Man-zier” or “Bro” or something like that. I’ve never liked them at all but to each their own right?

But to give you my thoughts on your first question if you’re only going a short distance and not going to reach highway speeds you could probably just wedge a small hand towel between the rope and the hood. If you’re going longer distances or traveling at higher speeds you could use a couple pairs of socks (cut at one end) or again, some hand towels and then wrap some duct tape around the top and bottom so the padding doesn’t slide or down. You’ll just need to be careful you don’t let the duct tape rub on the paint b/c it’ll will make a mess. I’m sure if you wanted something better a kayak store could sell you a product designed for the exact use you need.

Depending on how long your kayak is I would think you’d be OK with just two ratchet straps in the front and rear and just lock it down pretty tight. Once I reach speeds over 55 I pull over and tighten everything up again b/c the ropes/straps have had a chance to stretch a bit and will need adjusting.

On a side have you ever seen someone driving with a mattress on their roof using their free hand to hold it down as if they would be able to hang on to it should the ropes break? I always get a kick out of those people.

Hood Cover

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