Ok so I bought a 98 3.2 TL about 5 months ago and decided to buy and install a nose mask as I am getting nicks and dings like mad driving in Chicago. I have not had a car since college as I have been living abroad for 7 years and before that, lived in NYC for 4 years so I have no idea about how to care for cars, etc.

So the question is, the manual says I must remove the mask everytime it gets wet so I am wondering what happens if I don't. It took me awhile to install it and it isn't something I want to do weekly. Especially with the weather as it has been recently here.

As mentioned, this is the OEM mask from Honda and I am wondering what is the worst that could happen if I leave it on?

 

I had a car mask on my M3. I made a few mistakes in the name of laziness.

If the Honda mask has a leather/vinyl exterior and a felt/cloth surface on the other side, it will trap water and grow mildew which will discolor your paint. If the mask is low quality, the felt degrades and sticks to the car. Given enough time, it could become impossible to remove completely.

If you're in Texas (god bless this place), the water will boil under that mask because the sun always comes out twice as hot after a shower. This steam treatment isn't very good for your paint either.

This probably isn't what you wanted to hear, since it sounds like you've already purchased the mask.

Maybe you can get away with taking off the mask less if you wax the area under the mask with several layers of synthetic wax. Remember to give at least 24 hours between each coat.

I still recommend taking it off at regular intervals. Sand and stuff gets trapped under there, causing scratches in your car.