Flaagan,
I've found that the strap doesn't really ruin your paint. Keep the bonnet waxed and use one of those belts with the felt on the back--you don't need that shearling sheep skin thing.
I've had one on the same car for 39 years and over 83,000 miles, and the worst it does is kind of dull up the paint directly underneath, and that can be rubbed out if you need to.
Allen
'69 4/4
