I know this topic has been discussed here before and it lead to several websites that offer items that protect cars from door dings. Most of them range from $15-50 in cost plus shipping. While I was impressed with some of their apperances none of them provided coverage I was comfortable with. Also, I wouldn't use these items consistantly so I didn't really car about apperance.

At my school I get about 2 door dings a semester. So, I have decided that when I have to park on campus I am going to prevent this from happening as best I can. Also, when visiting my gf I have to park on a slope and car doors swing open.

So, I made the following for just under $20 and in 10 minutes:




Here's how:

I bought 5 feet of this rubber padding at home depot in the carpet section. It appears it will take on most hits well and is not too heavy. ($2.75 a foot at Home Depot)


This is how thick it is compared to the diameter of a penny:


I bought 25 ft of magnetic tape for $6.00 at Michael's Craft Store. (I noticed that the same magnetic tape at Home Depot is wayyy overpriced at $3 for just 2.5 ft):


I cut the rubber in half long ways and then used all the tape on the back doing the border first then using the left over in the middle:


The pros are obvious: inexpensive way to help reduce chances of getting a door ding AND it rolls up and stores nicely in the back of the car.

The cons: may draw more attention to your car than you want (you could cut it nicely and fit it to the car to be less noticiable); it could POSSIBLLY scratch the car if it slid down, although I don't see it happening (just use more mag. tape); the adhesive on the tape may wear off with the heat of the day or with rain.

Like I said, I don't plan on using these often but I am going to keep them handy if I find myself in a tight spot. These cars easily get dings I can tell. Tthe other day I saw a Flint Mica going north on 59 from Sugar Land that had the worst door ding/dent on the driver's side..... that's my nightmare.

 

lol... that looks so funny. With all that, I bet someone will hit your bumper!

 

No kidding...

Believe it or not... I'd rather have a scrap or dent in my bumper than I would a door ding. THEY ANNOY THE HELL out of me... obviously. If I relied on door ding removal services alone I would be paying out the butt.

 

Pretty neat idea. I like your creativity. And arts and crafts are fun when you do it for your car!

 

I had the same idea, but instead I went and purchased these: http://www.autobarn.net/pasmmadogu.html

They are clear plastic with a magnetic strip at the top. They arent nearly as long as yours so I ended up buying 2 sets. However, since they are plastic they are not really visible until you get near the car which is especially good since mine is an SSM. I dont use them too often, usually only when I have to park someplace where I cant get a decently safe parking spot (e.g. malls, sports events, etc).

I do usually get one of two comments when people see them. They either say that makes them want to be less careful when they open their door, or that it makes them want to steal the guards. :?

 

Those look too small to me. Also, it would be pretty easy to attach some nylon cord or something to the homemade guards which would be conneted to a ball or something inside the car. Throw the ball in the car, close the door, apply the guard then lock it up.

 

reminds me of the tib commercial, pillows along the garage walls...

 

THAT WILL WORK GREAT FOR ME!!!!

until some punk decides to steal my padding while im parked on campus.

 

That kind of seems like an invitation for someone to key your car, just for the sport of thwarting your efforts to protect it. Some people kind of suck that way. Now that the first dent is out of the way, courtesy of a hit and run, I've kind of calmed down about being overly anxious about my car. I just keep reminding myself that whatever happens, it can probably be fixed, if it distresses me that much. Oh, and also that--no matter how much I love my car, and I do--it's still just a car. Accepting that , and the fact that some things just can't be controlled, has turned me into slightly less psychotic new car owner.

 

ditto... plus, later down the road 2 to 3 yrs from now... you can always do a makeover... put some kit on it, repaint it.. .etc. I ve had my car for 3 months now and i have a small ding not noticible but its whatever..

 

Heh... you say that until you see the parking at my gf's place. You'd do the same thing, trust me.

Luckily people around there are nice... but when gravity swings doors open it is easy to be carefuless. I am going to spray paint these things a darker grey and slap em on when I am up to see her (just on the one side).

 

where were you with this idea a few months ago......i have so many dings i cant count all of them on two hands......

 

I dunno.. that screams "THE HELL WITH THE DOOR- GRAB A BASEBALL BAT!"

I hope it works for you though!

 

I somewhat agree with what some people are saying in this thread in that something noticeable that is there to protect your car might attract some people into trying to damage your car on purpose. I've known some people who were kicking this kid's saturn just because they saw the commercial about the car's dent resistant panels.

 

whoa, that's pretty wacked. but i have to agree, some ___ might mess with it just cuz it does attract attention.

 

Ya know... on second thought.. you oughta get some business to pay you to turn that mat into a sign for some advertising... maybe that would make it less inconspicuous. Perhaps a car dealer? Just don't go with Tampax.

 

wow, that is not something i would have thought anyone would have come up with. i'm not really one to knock other people's stuff, but man that seems really assinine. heh, not the first thing i would have chosen to wake up to in the am. but whatever get's ya going in the morning i guess....

 

yea i love waken up to dings in my door :? the first thing i do every time i go to my car is looket the doors cuz if i see one ding in that thing imma put a ding in someones ___

 

I just park away from everybody

 

Unfortunetely I have to park next to people at school. There are no extra spots anywhere on campus... I'm lucky if I don't have to park in the streets.

Bofa has a great idea... lol. I could just make up a business so people will think it's a sign instead of a door protector.