Anti-static strip worn down - what can I do?

daymobrew

Last Thursday I purchased an anti-static strip from Halfords (I get a static shock every time I get out of the car). I fitted it to the plastic bumper of my VW Passat. As instructed the strip was in contact with the road.

Now, having driven less than 30 miles the strip has worn down so that it is no longer touching the ground.
While I suppose that I am not surprised, is this what should happen?

There is a good bit of the strap above the fitting bracket so I could keep moving it down as it wears but that is not a long term solution.

Suggestions?

Stevie Dakota

Throw it away, they don't work anyway.

Big Nasty

I haven't seen one of them since the 80's!:eek::eek::eek:

Eireplates

First of all the strap should be mounted to metal. The static won't discharge though plastic!

Second. It doesnt need to be in contact with the road all of the time. It will make contact through the bumps on the road so current height will be fine.

daymobrew wrote: »

Last Thursday I purchased an anti-static strip from Halfords (I get a static shock every time I get out of the car). I fitted it to the plastic bumper of my VW Passat. As instructed the strip was in contact with the road.

Now, having driven less than 30 miles the strip has worn down so that it is no longer touching the ground.
While I suppose that I am not surprised, is this what should happen?

There is a good bit of the strap above the fitting bracket so I could keep moving it down as it wears but that is not a long term solution.

Suggestions?

For Forks Sake

I've stumbled into a timewarp and ended up in 1986 it seems

daymobrew

daymobrew wrote: »

Suggestions?

You are meant to hang them so when stationary a good bit of the strap touches the ground, shouldn't wear then for a good few thousand miles. Awful things anyway.

coylemj

When you're parking, reverse the car into a metal telegraph pole, that will discharge the static, then when you step out of the car there will be no electric shock!

Stinicker

First of all install a flux capacitor and store up all the static electricity, when you get her up to 88mph blast your way back to last Thursday and advise your previous self not to buy the thing, however be careful to avoid the Grandfather paradox though.

DP Kilcullen

Halfords offer a good fitting service

stoneill

You are better off fitting a small metal chain from the underbody.
Metal to metal contact and discharges to ground.

Or else stop wearing nylon knickers.

Reg'stoy

To stop getting shocked hold on to your door as you get out and any static will discharge through you from the car without the usual shock.

Another way is to have the wife or small children on hand and ask them to.........:rolleyes:

langdang

I've heard that they don't work and that it's more likely that the static build up is on you and your clothes, and that the charge is jumping from you to the car rather than the car to you.

Try shoving the door closed with your elbow rather than pushing with the tips of your fingers. That should cut down the amount of shocks you get off cars (but if the charge is on you rather than the car it will increase the number you get off other objects...)

Fleeces are bad for static build up.

Matt Simis

stoneill wrote: »

Or else stop wearing nylon knickers.

Yeah surely this can be tackled the other way, there is a reason you are getting shocks when most people done. I would look at your shoes.

stimpson

DP Kilcullen wrote: »

Halfords offer a good fitting service

Well done. The OP doesn't look quite so stupid now.

daymobrew

Eireplates wrote: »

First of all the strap should be mounted to metal. The static won't discharge though plastic!

I used the included earthing cable that goes between the strip and a metal part of the car.

Matt Simis wrote: »

Yeah surely this can be tackled the other way, there is a reason you are getting shocks when most people done. I would look at your shoes.

Years ago I was in Toronto in February when it was cold and the hotel heating was on full blast. I got static shocks from the lift buttons and room door. When I took off my shoes the problem dissipated.

langdang wrote: »

I've heard that they don't work and that it's more likely that the static build up is on you and your clothes, and that the charge is jumping from you to the car rather than the car to you.

It probably is from me. What often happens when getting out of the car is that my calf will touch off the car body and I'll get a shock through my trousers. It's not an exciting thing :cool:
I get the shocks on shelves in my local Tesco too.

langdang

daymobrew wrote: »

It probably is from me. What often happens when getting out of the car is that my calf will touch off the car body and I'll get a shock through my trousers. It's not an exciting thing :cool:
I get the shocks on shelves in my local Tesco too.

Hmmm, if you're getting shocks that bad on your calf through trousers then the elbow trick to close the door won't help you much unless you have a coat or something thicker on.

Did you ever drive a car with leather seats? Did you still get shocks then? Just interested, I reckon there would be less friction to cause static if the seats were leather.

You may have to invest in a seriously geeky anti-static heel strap
http://www.apogeekits.com/anti-static_heel_strap.htm

colm_mcm

THey have a copper braid through The rubber, dunno if they work but they'd need to be fixed to metal to have any chance

Tea 1000

You should wear the static strip instead of the car. Bolt to your right ankle, then when you step out it'll discharge you! No more shocks from Tesco shelves either!
You'll need to bolt it to your left ankle when you rent a car abroad.

The Bishop Basher

I get this in the Summer. ATM's, car doors, metal gates, lift buttons, the works.

Tried everything that's been suggested but nothing worked. Now I just hold the metal part of the key and tip it off whatever metal thing i'm about to touch.

You still get zapped but it takes the sting out of it