EliteCM.net

hey mods - feel free to move if this belongs in "Detailing" or another section

I know there are a bunch of guys around here that (like myself) are forced into on-street parking.  That can be a total nightmare on your bumpers, which mine are currently full of dings and dents.  Does anyone here use any sort of bumper protection for those asshats that tap your bumpers getting into a spot?

I've thought about the Bumper Bully mats before - but just came across Parking Armor.
http://www.amazon.com/PARKING-ARMOR-Pro ... sim_auto_4 (http://www.amazon.com/PARKING-ARMOR-Protector-Reinforced-Protection/dp/B001RZ65MO/ref=pd_sim_auto_4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

I was driving home yesterday and some jerk tried to squeeze by me in traffic and clipped my rear fender.  Damage is minimal but needs to be repainted and i was thinking of having the shop just repair my whole rear bumper to get rid of the scratches.  If i do so, then a $50 investment in something like this is definitely a good idea.

Does anyone here use a mat or protection of sorts for on-street parallel parking?

I know alot of the NY guys have used tow hooks. If well mounted they can damage the other persons car before they hit yours. I've seen a few of these mats on cars in the North End of Boston but, I think every bumper there is damaged.

Wow, that's ridiculous. I guess I take my four car garage for granted if people have to resort to that. I assume you just stick it on when you park?

I've seen those things in NY and in certain areas of Boston.  I'd try to get your hands on one first to see if it's worth the cost.

I just hate those things. Like an oversized car mat hanging on the back of your car. The best is the people who just drive every day and all day with them on and never take it it off.

Those people who do that are pretty much lazy to me.

I got the bumper strip, although it protects it to some extent, they still manage to scratch below what's not covered. I think your best bet is to find one that hooks from the left rear wheel fender and covers the whole bumper then hooks to the right wheel fender. That way no one can side swipe what that parking armor doesn't cover.

Like dry ground, garages and parking lots are a rarity in New Orleans.  If I have to park on the street I will pick a spot that off by itself. If I park in a lot I will purposely park in the back, away from 90% of the other cars/shopping carts. In 3 years I've only been bumped twice.

This statement is really irrelevant in Justin’s environment. A lot of the homes in the north east were built in a time when cars were not prevalent. At the time the cites were built most people walked to work in a local mill. Now 100 or so years later everyone has a car and subsequently has to park it on the street where there really isn’t room for all of them. Where I live if you looking to rent an apartment with off street parking your looking at 600-1200 a year more added to your rent.

yea, its not an ideal situation for the car but its the price you pay for living in the city.

i've thought about this one but really in order for that to be effective you need to have been hit square in the bumper by someone with a front fender as low as the tow hook.  i think its an awesome kick in the ass for those people, but would still result in an f'd up bumper


ive seen that on your car too and i've thought about that route.  something that goes on/off when parking is kind of what id prefer.  i agree too about covering the rear corners but it looks like there arent any that cover the entire bumper.  they tend to be generic and not car specific.

It looks like there's a need for a new product.  Let's make our millions!!

I disagree. Have you been to New Orleans? Have you been in the French Quarter?

^ haven't yet but I'll be down there in 2 weeks - wooha!

Tim - I'm right there with ya!  I smell a business opp.

I was referring specifically to the line in red. This is not possible in most neighborhoods in Boston. There is no spot by itself.

haha if you need a website let me know

Ummm Steve I think you meant to post that second part in the NECM thread....

hahahaha

Okay.  Who's in?  Let's start a business!!

haha yea your right Mike... my post has been edited...

Can you tell i've already mentally checked out for today?

I've got some capital I'd be more than down if your serious.

I have no capital, no experience, and it's not even my idea.  I'm in!!

Bill, again with the crazy world you live in!

Aside from looking crazy ugly, they should do their job well enough.  do they lock in by closing your trunk or hood on them?

yea exactly.  they're attached to the interior of the trunk and then there are padded cable lines (so they cant be cut) that run the guard out to the bumper.  

so it looks like my stuff is getting repaired on monday.  ill probably pick this product or something very similar to it this week.

just a quick update - i got my car back from the shop yesterday and it's f'ing beautiful.  while it was in the shop i had a separate repair done for them remove, sand and repaint the rear bumper and rear lip.

also got the parking armor in the mail yesterday and tried it out.  i must say im impressed with it.  it's pretty serious and really well made.

original damage
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/v6sicksspeed/damage.jpg)

original rear bumper (embarassingly scratched)
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/v6sicksspeed/bumper.jpg)

damage repair
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/v6sicksspeed/inshop.jpg)

rear lip sanded
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/v6sicksspeed/shop2.jpg)

fresh paint
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/v6sicksspeed/shop3.jpg)

waxed
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/v6sicksspeed/final.jpg)

back to new
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a41/v6sicksspeed/final2.jpg)]

Looks great!

Nice man.  I saw one of those parking armor things (different brand) on a car last night when I was in Somerville.  Some of them look better than others.

yea i def agree.  ill snap a few pics one of these days to show what this one looks like.

Snice were on the topic do you guys have ever seen the accord with one of these ? and do you think is worth the 70 bucks HERE (http://www.bumperguard.org/)