[Julian1le]

I’ve noticed the rocker panels get sprayed like crazy with rocks and dirt. Causing unsightly chips and paint damage.

My question is , how can one avoid that? I’ve noticed my neighbors RS 2018 Camaro doesn’t suffer from this.

Are the wider front rims which cause the tire to stick out a lil causing this or is it the Goodyear sticky tires kicking up rocks? Would all season tires not kick up anything!?

Rock guards don’t stop every rock and PPF would require covering the whole side of the car. Just wondering if there’s a way to solve this problem.

[Twizzty]

I'm with you on the rock guards not being enough for the 1LE, I have them and still hear lots of rocks bouncing down the side of my car. It's a combination of the wider front wheels/tires and sticky tires IMO.

I've had several people tell me it's better with side skirts installed as it blocks more of the rocks but I haven't tried it yet, personally I like the look without them.

[VR Baron]

I use guards and PPF. The PPF only needs to be the lower part of the doors up to the centerline of the” door bulge” for the door. I did the front and fenders, and of course the worst area, the area in front of the rear tire to the body line gap. Rear guards protect behind the rear wheel, or PPF

[DaveC113]

Side skirts do help a lot, but you'll also want some PPF in front of rear tires + rock guards

[ZPirate]

It's a combination of the wider wheels and stickier tires that causes the problem. Even if you switched to less sticky tires the wheels are so wide that they are still going to kick up stuff on the road. I think a good set of rock guards and side skirts will prevent most rock chips. You could also add some PPF for more protection. And not all rock guards are created equally. You need ones that offer the most protection.

I have ACS Composite rock guards and side skirts on my 1LE. The match the satin black trim pieces on the 1LE too. So far they seem to be doing a good job of protecting the paint. I can still hear stuff hitting the bottom of the side skirts on occasion, so they must be doing something. I also have PPF, but just on the front of the car and the mirrors.

[Nothing like an SS]

I do not have guards, but I do have skirts, and I have very little issue so far @ 5200 miles. Skirts must be doing something! I also hear the rocks hitting the skirts, SOUNDS like the side of the car, but it isn't, at least not causing any chipping. Not zero mind you, but just a couple of spots on each side.

From the horror stories on here, I'd say they are effective.

Skirts were installed at about 600 miles

[78yellow78]

My winter tires on skinny wheels kick up nothing. As soon as I put the summers on I cringe hearing all the crap hit the paint. I do have the color matching GM rock guards. I have a good body shop in town and figure I will just get the pain touched up every now and again.

[Chrome383Z]

Guards, skirts, and PPF will definitely help.