Hi All,

As subject says, any tips on protecting car?

Clutch just went on my car so its getting scrapped as its not worth it to repair (valuation at best 500, clutch cost 500+). Luckily, the Mrs hadn’t sold her old Golf yet so I’m in that for now – but don’t want to scratch that car up too prior to sale.

I used my boot carrier wit my civic for the last 18 months on a weekly basis and hit two problems. In the end it had already happened I wasn’t too worried on my old car.

1. the hooks part rubs away at the tailgate. (this is a flat piece of metal about 4 cm wide
2. due to the curve of the boot the strap rubbed the paint in some places too. this may not apply to the golf if hte strap doesn’t wrap around the tailgate as much, wont know yet.

Also, I’ll be getting a new car (probably a newer golf) in the next couple months or so and want to protect that car until i get a towbar or roof carrier rack fitted. (or I never ride again as the mrs due date is mid-sept… lol)

Thanks! 🙂

Helicopter tape

When I had one, I used thick ‘copter tape where the rack touched the bodywork. Wasn’t 100% and had to replace every so often but it was better than nothing.

Yeah, helicopter tape or if it’s really only a short duration T cut it prior to sale.

Just bite the bullet and get a towbar fitted – zero contact between rack & car.

I bought a Halford Chamois leather and cut it into four to put a piece under each foot.

Put bike in car until you get a tow bar fitted.

1. Make sure the car is clean
2. Pieces of microfibre cloth

Just bite the bullet and get a towbar fitted – zero contact between rack & car.

not spending that kind of money on a car i don’t own, and might only use for a month or two..

thanks for chamois/cloth suggestions. i’ll look into that 🙂

having got a golf ive had significant issues fitting a boot mounted rack. The issue is the boot has too tight panel gaps.

Just to make you aware. im not the only one.

ah yeah.. well thing is.. the mrs old car is an 03 one, just peeked out of my office window. looks like it’ll be fine in the middle bit.

new car will be worth putting a tow bar/roof mount on if they dont fit.

i know the bluemotion tech and ‘proper’ bluemotion golfs/polos have tighter fitting doors/panels

Get a van

Proper 3m copter tape.
My t5 rack has been on there 6 years and it’s just in need of changing. Unmarked underneath. Clean it really well before hand, degrease the paint and warm the tape slightly.

I had a boot mounted rack on a corsa a few years ago. wrapped each foot in cheap insulation tape, job done.

i’m going to go for something like that 🙂

i’ll also see what copter tape i’ve got left kicking around. i’ve def got matte rhino tape (as my bike is anodised)

I checked panel fitment this morning. the straps fit on the top and side, but the bottom ones are going to have to go under the bumper

Get a van

would be nice, but i want something that does 50mpg for commuting, and doubled up duty as a (new soon-to-be) dad wagon for family duties.