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I bought the GM guards as I figured they were better than nothing. And, they are a bit better than nothing. I just installed some side skirt to get it right. While the GM guards did help keep crap off the lower door, small rocks were still able to get to the rear quarter.
I added the GM guards, and as Rebel Yell says, better than nothing, but not enough. I replaced the tiny factory shield in front of the rear wheels with a full section of Xpel, but they still get beat to crap.
Side skirts seem to be the best solution. Don't have 'em, but going to add.
I suspect it's largely a function of where one lives and drives. The GM guards plus XPEL Ultimate have kept my rockers pristine w/o side skirts, and no permanent damage to the film.
On a widebody I found out you definitely need Xpel and some type of splash guard that covers the width of the front tire as it protrudes from the lower front fender and LENGTH if oyu don't have the 3/4 skirts (or full length which offer the same protection due to the cutout for your leg at the door opening). If you have them, then the ACS are fine.. if you don't? you need O'reilly splash guards and hang them low and wide..
i've been through the progression of Xpel and long splash guards, to full Xpel the lower sides and now 3/4 skirts and even the ACS front guards (on order). My paint was fine with the factory PPF in place but the leading edge of the brake ducts was still catching small debris. they touched up about 7 chips per side and then Xpel'd the ducts.. so i'll leave the long O'reilly's on until the arrival of the ACS fronts... then i should be covered in 3 ways...
I have no mud flaps on mine, or running boards. 40,000 miles on the car with no chips or blemishes except the factory plastic in front of the rear wheels. That area has several pocks, but they don,t go through to the paint, and you really don't notice it unless you are down close. Just chiding on "running boards". The skirts remind me of them.
Between lake Havasu and Oatman there are roads with gravel that I drive over at high speed and not a problem. I here the gravel spraying, but must be peppering just the underneath the car. Based on my experience I would consider those items a waste of money.
I like the sleek look of the base Stingray. I have no damage to the rocker panels on my current C7 Stingray. (No protection except what the factory provides)
I disagree. Not necessary at all on the narrow-body w/ XPEL Ultimate and splash guards. I really dislike the look.
"Form Follows Function!" IMO they therefore look great! Where I live lots of pebbles on the road.
My experience on my 2014 Z51 with the marked up discolored GM plastic that occurred in a few months of use with just GM Splash Guards, was eliminated when I added LG Motorsports full length side skirts validated their benefit-for ME.
Was able to remove the GM plastic a few months after I installed them and when I sold the car the rocker panels looked new! No marks.
OEM splash gaurds were the first and only thing I've put on my 16 Z51 for protection. 9300 miles later, I'm still happy with the results. Your mileage may vary.
My driveway:
I like the sleek look of the base Stingray. I have no damage to the rocker panels on my current C7 Stingray. (No protection except what the factory provides)
It's rather amazing isn't it. Oh, the way it looks and the fact it get no blasting.
[QUOTE=TwoVettes6916;1595391826]I see a lot of members talking about getting their cars covered with Xpel or some similar coating to prevent chips.
But I was wondering how many folks have installed mud flaps, such as are available from American Car Craft. The body of the car curves in just enough to allow about 1" or so of tire to kick back stones, etc. along the side of the car. And the panels in back of the rear tires are in a perfect position to collect everything that is kicked back.
Would just like to hear some pros and cons.
Thank you.
I added the ACS guards and very happy with them. I just received the skirts to protect the back bottom of the door area from rocks and will install them today. I will post a pic later.
Why1504, that looks very classy. Not for me personally, not happy with anything added to the factory spat (and I have 3/4 skirts and mudgiards lol). Is what it is..
best look imo is the way came from factory but then you get sandblasted even with xpel. Have to have something there!
Why1504, that looks very classy. Not for me personally, not happy with anything added to the factory spat (and I have 3/4 skirts and mudgiards lol). Is what it is..
best look imo is the way came from factory but then you get sandblasted even with xpel. Have to have something there!
The only soft plastic on the outside of body is the spats and the grill. You can't really see the grill. But every time I walked up to my car and looked at those plastic spats I thought yuck. I was either going to replace the plastic spats with spats to match the paint or to match the CF. the CF ties the splitter and skirts together.
My wife and I were out for a Sunday cruise looking at properties. We were already off the beaten path when she saw this dirt road and said " let's go down there"
Dueling Bangos is exactly what I started singing to her about 50 ft down the road.
The road looks much better in the pictures then it did before I cleaned it up.
I've actually had a young woman advertising agent call me up and say she was afraid to come out after seeing the road. I told her not to worry, there aren't any inbred Deliverance Types out hear, come on down, I'm in The Last House on the Left.
I see a lot of members talking about getting their cars covered with Xpel or some similar coating to prevent chips.
But I was wondering how many folks have installed mud flaps, such as are available from American Car Craft. The body of the car curves in just enough to allow about 1" or so of tire to kick back stones, etc. along the side of the car. And the panels in back of the rear tires are in a perfect position to collect everything that is kicked back.
Would just like to hear some pros and cons.
Thank you.
I added the ACS guards and very happy with them. I just received the skirts to protect the back bottom of the door area from rocks and will install them today. I will post a pic later.
Here are photos of the CRE flaps installed on a C7. They extend out far enough to align with the outer edge of the tires and are wide enough under the car to cover most of their width, most importantly under the painted rocker panels in the front.
We have mostly concrete and asphalt. Not much mud around here. Maybe a good idea but haven't seen a need for them. Probably where you drive makes a difference on if you want them. I'll hang with stock on my Z51.
No. It's a vette. I would have my entire driveway/road paved before I would put mud flaps on the car. I'm one person with one opinion, so you need to do what looks good to you.
I added the GM guards, and as Rebel Yell says, better than nothing, but not enough. I replaced the tiny factory shield in front of the rear wheels with a full section of Xpel, but they still get beat to crap.
