Protective device useful in transporting and lifting objects having easily damaged surfaces, including delicate, coated, painted, and polished surfaces

A method of protecting a coated object during transport, the method comprising:

• placing a protective device between a rigging line and a coated portion of the coated object, the protective device comprising a strap including:
• an outermost layer having a first rigidity and a first coefficient of friction, the first coefficient of friction selected to permit a rigging line to self-center between two points when the rigging line is in contact with the outermost layer and under tension;
• and
• an innermost layer having a second rigidity that is lower than the first rigidity and a second coefficient of friction that is different from the first coefficient of friction, the second coefficient of friction selected to prevent movement of the protective device relative to the coated object as the rigging line self-centers,
• wherein the outermost and innermost layers of the strap are bonded to one another.