ORANGEC6VERT

I have had the chance to see the C7 in person a couple times, and am looking forward to all the excitement, but I am really, really concerned about the flared our rocker just in front of the rear wheels. My Corvettes are never garage queens, I enjoy driving them every day, but I am thinking that road rash is going to be a major problem. Guess I will have to stay with white or silver.

RockIT9

Paint protective films will do the job

trivette

I've noticed that as well. If we see a pic of one of the test cars that's dirty it will be evident where the road grime hits and collects. It definitely looks like an area for the 3M VentureShield or similar product to be applied right after taking delivery. The darker colors will be especially vulnerable for the chips to be visible-kind of like the 'brake duct' appendage on the C6 'Z' and GS models that get blasted right away.

ORANGEC6VERT

The clear tape is certainly a good option, but the tape tends to get peppered and looks bad too. It would be nice if they had the rocker extensions like the ZR1 and 427 Special Editions. They really improved side protection.

Glenmcp

Another after market fix.

Magister Ludi

No doubt this why the C7 pace car has tape there during testing.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-g...-auotweek.html

Bill17601

Ain't America great! There are catalogs full of stuff to solve Corvette needs. I can see extended wheel well add ons...

henrik2960

+ new harmonic rear w/ dual round lamps

ArcticC7

THe C7 will need a paint film in that area or that rear quarter is going to get blasted by rocks.

CRABBYJ

No mud flaps for me on a C7. I'll try this stuff and replace as needed.

OnPoint

I wondered about that area as well. The front fenders do seem to have more "wrap around" the front wheels - i.e. less tire naked. I wonder if they did that in part to cut down on the road debris hitting the rear quarter.

jr3

The clear protective film wrap will fix that. Its why it is made to protect your paint.

b4i4getit

The only problem with the wrap is that after it has been hit by enough road debris is starts to look pretty bad.

Matt26

Cleartastic film is cheap and easy to replace and is not like the Xpel / 3M adhesive stuff that is recommended to be installed by pros.

trivette

I had the Cleartastic on my '03 convert and was very disappointed. It never laid down flat, so was visible at three feet with bubbles, etc. Unless they've improved it a lot I'll stick with the 3M or other variations of it.

Rob 99

and square exh tips of course

Suttleone

Oh great, more folger's coffee can lids for tail lights.

ZL-1

I asked Harlan about that at the Chicago show. I mentioned that some other GM models have had factory installed clear film in vulnerable areas (the rear part of Grand Am rocker panels for example). He said yeah, they've discussed that. So it will be interesting to see if final production models have film or if owners have to add it themselves.

C6NRED

That area is one of the first things that I noticed when I first saw the C7. I also posted a similar thread at the time of its intro.....
My C6 got drilled on the front edge of the rear fenders, right at the bottom behind the doors. The paint was literally erased there for about an inch and a half. I had to keep touching up that edge with touch up paint.
I can't imagine how that area in front of the rear tires is going to look after a few miles on the C7.....NOT good, I expect. It looks to be sticking almost flat out into the debris stream.
The Indy pace car's tape job should tell you something..

flange

Here is the good news....you are having a BIG concern over protecting the paint on a car. The good news is you have way less problems to worry about than some.