Solution to Hood and Trunk closing Scratches

[cohlineman]

I know I can't be the only one who worries about or did something about the fact that when you close the trunk or the hood, you inevitably scratch or fingerprint you waxed up car!

I went to my local decal/sign shop and had a half of a circle made in a metallic silver for the trunk(matches perfectly with the silver trim) and a half a circle of jet black for the hood. 6" was my desired circumference.

Took them home, some soapy water and a squeegee later and I have a target area for my paws that doesn't mar the paint. I used the colors to match my paint but you could easily do this with clear vinyl , just like what's under the buttresses. Had I thought about it when I did my Bra I would have had the installer use some of the scraps.

This only cost me five bucks, and for some reason I am really proud of it!

If anyone does this, remember to leave a lip of the decal to roll over the edges of the trunk and the hood. This gives it a really clean look The hood will need a 5mm slit to fold over the edge correctly since the hood isn't square.

Carry on driving!

[Valistener]

I grab my hood by the inside of the fender or the latching bar (yeah it gets a little greasy) and use those to close it. as for the deck I push on the silver buttress insert and the base of the antenna. If I were taller I would just push by both silver rings but I need more force than that can provide.

[RMFNSKY]

Originally Posted by cohlineman

I know I can't be the only one who worries about or did something about the fact that when you close the trunk or the hood, you inevitably scratch or fingerprint you waxed up car!

I went to my local decal/sign shop and had a half of a circle made in a metallic silver for the trunk(matches perfectly with the silver trim) and a half a circle of jet black for the hood. 6" was my desired circumference.

Took them home, some soapy water and a squeegee later and I have a target area for my paws that doesn't mar the paint. I used the colors to match my paint but you could easily do this with clear vinyl , just like what's under the buttresses. Had I thought about it when I did my Bra I would have had the installer use some of the scraps.

This only cost me five bucks, and for some reason I am really proud of it!

If anyone does this, remember to leave a lip of the decal to roll over the edges of the trunk and the hood. This gives it a really clean look The hood will need a 5mm slit to fold over the edge correctly since the hood isn't square.

Carry on driving!

Pics please, I'd like to see what this looks like

[cohlineman]

The idea behind closing the trunk from the center, as explained by my dealer, is to put even loading on the hinges. I am not sure using the buttress holes accomplishes that unless you use both.

I would love to post pics but as with everything else I have, the digital cam has been hijacked.