So, excuse my ignorance, but why the *** is there tape on on so many car's headlights, turn signals and blinkers, fog lights, etc.? It's not a fashion statment, I assume. Is it part of the event to mark or distinguish cars? To seal any cracks? I need to know. Heh.

Mr. Grim Reaper:

So, excuse my ignorance, but why the *** is there tape on on so many car's headlights, turn signals and blinkers, fog lights, etc.? It's not a fashion statment, I assume. Is it part of the event to mark or distinguish cars? To seal any cracks? I need to know. Heh.

 

I want to know also, I dont think its for looks...

ive never seen a car with tape on the headlight or anything like that.

the closest thing ive seen is using high heat resistant, non fading, decal material to use as eyelids.

could you post a picture of what you're referring too?

years and years ago it was a requirement becasue headlamps were glass etc. Google 60's touring cars and you'll see.

Today, lights are plastic etc, so I think its just for show and looks

some cars today still come with glass headlights.

example, Nissan 300zx (although its not in production anymore, it wasnt too too long ago when they were around). My neighbour has one.

but what does glass headlights have to do with having tape on them :S

Here's just one example on a newer car, but I see 'em on old ones, too.

thats weird, ive never seen that before....

 stops the glass from seperating when it cracks.

Good image here, although the tape on the RSX wouldn't hold air together!

....nice slide :)

 Wow ... you guys are being serious. I was hoping, while scrolling through the posts, someone would laugh and that this thread was a big joke. I don't mean to sound like an ass, but how old is everyone on here?

And yeah, the tape is to keep the glass/plastic from scattering on the track while racing. They also use it on taillights. 'Cause who wants to drive over glass?

FM Tuning:

 Wow ... you guys are being serious. I was hoping, while scrolling through the posts, someone would laugh and that this thread was a big joke. I don't mean to sound like an ass, but how old is everyone on here?

Heh, is it so hard to believe people don't know? I'm 17, by the way, and I don't have much (or any) experience with track knowledge. Then again, that is kind of common sense, isn't it?

FM Tuning:

And yeah, the tape is to keep the glass/plastic from scattering on the track while racing. They also use it on taillights. 'Cause who wants to drive over glass?

Heh, yeah, so I've come to realize. Can't believe I didn't think of it before.

FM Tuning:

 Wow ... you guys are being serious. I was hoping, while scrolling through the posts, someone would laugh and that this thread was a big joke. I don't mean to sound like an ass, but how old is everyone on here?

 

And yeah, the tape is to keep the glass/plastic from scattering on the track while racing. They also use it on taillights. 'Cause who wants to drive over glass?

wel if your racing on a track and you know how to drive and know wtf your doing, your head/tailights would not be shattering onto the track.

thats why its not common sense, becauise someone with common sense would think that if your going to be driving your baby on a track, you will do everything in your power to make sure you do not nail a wall or another car.

 and if your thinking, "what if someone else hits you ***", well then theyre the ones that should not be on a track.

i can understand having the tape in the past, since cars did not handle nearly as well then as they do now, but there should be no reason to do that to your car now.

 When people race each other, they hit each other. period. Every level of racing has accidents.

Think of the tape as something similar to the wheel tethers that they put on indy and F1 cars. It's there so that IF something happens and you do end up plowing a wall or taking a bumper in the grill or tail, you dont end up showering everyone around you with glass/ littering it all over the track. No flats, no lawsuits about "I got glass in my eye at your race you owe me 11 jillion dollars" and everyone's happy.

If youre lucky and you don't hit anything/ get hit by anything, you take the tape off and drive home.