Some of you have contacted me asking what these are all about. There are now pics in my gallery. The protector actually sits above the second strake on the side of the car. Here's the DIY instructions -
At a pool supply place or Target or Toy R Us you will purchase a pair of pool noodles. These are the flexible, rubberized floatation noodles people use to float in swimming pools. They have to have a hole down the center. Take two noodles or one big fat one and get a piece of rope long enough to tie the noodles securely together. I also taped them together with packing tape once this was done to ad stability to it. Tie a couple knots and then thread the knot back through one of the noodles. Pull on each end to make sure its tight. You will now have a loop on each end of the noodle. At your local hardware store (I used Home Depot) buy a pack of elastic tie downs with plastic hooks on the end. The ones I used are Orange in color and come 4 to a pack. I found them in the Tool Department at my HD. Cut off one of the hooks. You will have to measure what will work on your car, I think approx 6 inches of elastic will work which you will put through the loop on each end and then secure the cut end of the elastic in the plastic hook. It should look like a loop with a hook on it. The tie downs I bought have a place to secure the elastic rope on the hook. I also used super glue to make sure it doesn't come loose. Once you have completed a hook for each end cover with black plastic electrical tape. My wife was kind enough to sew the terry (100% cotton towel) cover for me. I used a couple of shoe strings threaded through the ends to secure the cover and give it a clean look. If it gets wet you can either throw the cover in the dryer or just hang it and let it dry. Mine stood up to a 60 mph thunderstorm gust this past spring and better yet I HAVE NO DINGS.
That's how its done, pm me if you have questions or problems, glad to be of help.

Pat

 

i think i'd rather take a ding to the door than dress my car with those. lol.

 

Laugh if you want. These are for folks who worry about it...I park in a lot at work with a lot of old people and people in a hurry to get to real estate settlements. they don't care about what they do, I've watched them.
I only use these at work and I could care less what people think...I have no dings, that's what matters. You'd rather take a ding then protect your car? Don't get that but to each his own...

Pat

 

Patpur,

I like your idea. I wish you would patent these and make millions so that these become common in parking lots and socially acceptable. I think it is a really good idea, I just wouldn't want to be the only one wearing these. If these became popular no one would have to be careful. People would just throw the doors open. Imagine the poor souls that didn't have these then? They would have to get them! Everyone would have to have them.

 

I've already taken a few dings, but i just watch where I park. Unfortunately you don't seem to have a choice where you work, but I have pretty good parking.

 

Those really don't look that bad. Considering you can cover the noodles with whatever you want to match your car. I'd probably go with a gray or black elastic, though, so it looks less home-made. That's really not a bad idea considering how cheap and effective they are.

 

Pat, Thanks for sharing your info with us! Again, that's a Great Idea!

SF

 

No dings on mine! I just park a long way away from everyone. Thanks for the idea however.

 

I've seen Pat's Ding Protectors in person and they look pretty good. Best part is that they go on in less than 10 seconds.

 

Pat:

Definitely an excellent idea, I am going to make a couple this winter while the baby is in storage. Those will be excellent to take when we are on trips; so far no dings - whew. Sometimes it is hard to find safe parking when traveling and I usually sweat it, but with those I can relax - thanks.

 

tho its a cool idea... i felt like pulling my 45 today when this POS van parked so close to me when he opened the door i got a ding in a corner... one of these days...i don't think i could do that tho i'm sure someone will steal it... hope i don't find a silencer cuz i'll start shooting cars up.

 

Thanks for the compliments - ws-6-vert I understand you park away from everyone, we all try to. This is for the time some jerk decides he does have to park next to you out in fringes of the lot and takes his/her frustration out on your car. An ounce of prevention...

Pat

 

Pat,
Do you cover the metal on the bungee cords with anything?
Your wife made the wrap (towel cover) for the noodles to match your car, very nice.

 

There should be no metal on your bungee cords? HD sells ones with plastic/hard rubber ends. let me know if you can't find them, happy to pick you up some. they come 4 to a bag and are orange in color. I am going to cover the hook with an old cotton sock. I am getting a bit of residue from the electric tape, which comes off but I don't want to push my luck. Let me know if you can't find the ones I'm talking about, I'll post another pic tonight or tomorrow for you in my gallery.

Pat

 

I have a different way of door ding protection...

 

I like your method.

Of coarse this may be another option someday:

http://www.disappearing-car-door.com/

 

LMAO ding mine, and get a whole lotta holes in yours!

 

It's not for me, I'll admit that.
However, this guy has done something to/for his car.
He's also decided to share this knowledge/insight etc. with everyone on the forum.
The majority of people have given him **** about it - which is a shame as this kind of attitude may tend to deter people from posting on the forum.
We've all done things which we thought were cool/intelligent etc. but somebody else has not had that opinion. We've all posted stupid comments on here too.

 

Great idea Pat ! It seems no matter how far out in the north forty I park, some a$$hole with their 10 ton duelly ranch truck parks 9 inches away from my baby ! Grrrrrrrrrr !
One ding on the passenger side so far and it musta been a hit and run.

Just my Dos Centavos !

 

I have about 4 on each side of the car!! Some are big dings too.....Grrrrr. Problem is, all of them were there before i bought the car. Didn't notice them then. How much is that paintless dent removal? Do they charge per dent usually?