1LE sticky tires, paint chips

jcaligood · 03-05-2021, 06:19 PM

Recently got a '18 SS 1LE. I notice when I'm driving, I can hear rocks in the wheel well and most likely hitting the car when I hear them also. It hurts my soul and makes me cringe every time I hear it. I avoid driving the 1LE sometimes just for this reason.

I noticed a few spots in the rear quarter panel (where the gills would be on a 5th gen) and there's tiny spots where the paint has gotten damaged.

I installed some rock guards, but I'm not sure they're helping much. I still hear tiny rocks when I'm driving thru parking lots and such.

Do all 6th gens have this issue? Or is it just the sticky tires that come with the 1LE? What is my best option (and affordable) for paint protection/correction?

Thanks!

SSallday · 03-05-2021, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcaligood

Recently got a '18 SS 1LE. I notice when I'm driving, I can hear rocks in the wheel well and most likely hitting the car when I hear them also. It hurts my soul and makes me cringe every time I hear it. I avoid driving the 1LE sometimes just for this reason.

I noticed a few spots in the rear quarter panel (where the gills would be on a 5th gen) and there's tiny spots where the paint has gotten damaged.

I installed some rock guards, but I'm not sure they're helping much. I still hear tiny rocks when I'm driving thru parking lots and such.

Do all 6th gens have this issue? Or is it just the sticky tires that come with the 1LE? What is my best option (and affordable) for paint protection/correction?

Thanks!

The stock tires on the 1LE are rotating sand blasters. They will pick up every stone on the road and throw them at your quarter panel. Changing the stock tires will help significantly, however, you will still get a few chips over time due to how wide these tires are. I changed out my tires and added rock guards, but the wheels still manage to fling a rock once in a while. Your best bet is to have someone install paint protection film on the lower rockers and quarter panel. Shouldn't cost that much unless you plan on adding ppf to the entire front and other places

BAUSS 1LE · 03-05-2021, 06:38 PM

Xpel paint protection film is your best bet. I had the whole front end of the car, lower rocker and quarter panels wrapped. And the good installers will use the matte clear wrap for your front lip and hood so it doesn't change the shade of them.

LT4Greg · 03-05-2021, 06:50 PM

Yeah my ZL1 is the same way but I just drive on and enjoy the time driving it!

mikem2104 · 03-05-2021, 07:24 PM

Highly highly recommend my fix, works GREAT
https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=575899

2SS Capt · 03-05-2021, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcaligood

Recently got a '18 SS 1LE. I notice when I'm driving, I can hear rocks in the wheel well and most likely hitting the car when I hear them also. It hurts my soul and makes me cringe every time I hear it. I avoid driving the 1LE sometimes just for this reason.

I noticed a few spots in the rear quarter panel (where the gills would be on a 5th gen) and there's tiny spots where the paint has gotten damaged.

I installed some rock guards, but I'm not sure they're helping much. I still hear tiny rocks when I'm driving thru parking lots and such.

Do all 6th gens have this issue? Or is it just the sticky tires that come with the 1LE? What is my best option (and affordable) for paint protection/correction?

Thanks!

Get some PPF (Paint Protection Film), I had my car covered in Xpel in the red areas, has helped TREMENDOUSLY, worth every penny!

s346k · 03-05-2021, 08:23 PM

should one go the ppf route, i suggest doing a strip on the roof starting at the top of the windshield and going back 3-4 inches.

referencing the pic above, looks good but i think the part in front of the back tire needs to extend up to the gas fill.

2SS Capt · 03-05-2021, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s346k

should one go the ppf route, i suggest doing a strip on the roof starting at the top of the windshield and going back 3-4 inches.

referencing the pic above, looks good but i think the part in front of the back tire needs to extend up to the gas fill.

Understood, I just didn't want any lines visible... 3,600 miles (lots on highways too) and no stone chips anywhere yet...

s346k · 03-05-2021, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SS Capt

Understood, I just didn't want any lines visible... 3,600 miles (lots on highways too) and no stone chips anywhere yet...

i hear ya. i make that suggestion after putting 23k miles on my 1LE. those front tires destroy more paint than mikes express. if i had it to do over id ppf the entire car. the factory paint is so bad it's not funny.

arpad_m · 03-05-2021, 09:12 PM

I think side skirts, especially those ZL1 style ones, should help with gravel kicked up by the front tires, in addition to rock guards of course.

I will install side skirts once the weather grows a bit warmer (garage is not heated) and validate, but ZL1 owners certainly can attest to how useful side skirts actually are.

Nothing will provide 100% protection, but PPF on top of these will at least act a sacrificial top layer for smaller rocks, and if something blasts through it, too, well I say so be it, this is only a car after all, no use being too much a perfectionist and stressing out over these things.

cmfhsu · 03-06-2021, 06:14 AM

I use ZL1 addons rock guards. They don't look like big dumb mud flaps and I don't get any rock chips (that I've noticed) - even after a season's worth of track days and autocross on Goodyear SC3s.

03-05-2021, 06:19 PM	#1
jcaligood Drives: '18 SS 1LE Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Jax, FL Posts: 405	1LE sticky tires, paint chips Recently got a '18 SS 1LE. I notice when I'm driving, I can hear rocks in the wheel well and most likely hitting the car when I hear them also. It hurts my soul and makes me cringe every time I hear it. I avoid driving the 1LE sometimes just for this reason. I noticed a few spots in the rear quarter panel (where the gills would be on a 5th gen) and there's tiny spots where the paint has gotten damaged. I installed some rock guards, but I'm not sure they're helping much. I still hear tiny rocks when I'm driving thru parking lots and such. Do all 6th gens have this issue? Or is it just the sticky tires that come with the 1LE? What is my best option (and affordable) for paint protection/correction? Thanks!

03-05-2021, 06:38 PM	#3
BAUSS 1LE Drives: 19 SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 47	Xpel paint protection film is your best bet. I had the whole front end of the car, lower rocker and quarter panels wrapped. And the good installers will use the matte clear wrap for your front lip and hood so it doesn't change the shade of them. __________________ 2019 SS 1LE Riverside Blue BTR 225 cam, West Coast Cylinder Ported Heads, Kooks LTH with high flow cats, Lethal Garage flex fuel, LT2 ported IM, 95mm TB, Rotofab intake, AWE track, Mighty Mouse catch can, Eibach lowering springs. Built by Red Barn Racing

03-05-2021, 06:50 PM	#4
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	Yeah my ZL1 is the same way but I just drive on and enjoy the time driving it! __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

03-05-2021, 07:24 PM	#5
mikem2104 Drives: 18 2SS 1LE, 20 Canyon Denali Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Windsor, ON Posts: 488	Highly highly recommend my fix, works GREAT https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=575899 __________________ Mike Current Garage: 18' 2SS 1LE, Hyper Blue 23' GMC Canyon Denali Previously: 20' GMC Canyon Denali 16' 2SS 6MT, Hyper Blue, Kalahari, 20" PVW Chrome Split wheels, NPP, MRC (Total Loss) 14' Ford Edge Sport 06' Saab 9-7x,13' Nissan 370z Sport, 12' VW Jetta GLI, 02' Olds Bravada

03-05-2021, 08:23 PM	#7
s346k Drives: like an old lady Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: indiana Posts: 2,395	should one go the ppf route, i suggest doing a strip on the roof starting at the top of the windshield and going back 3-4 inches. referencing the pic above, looks good but i think the part in front of the back tire needs to extend up to the gas fill. __________________ 2016+ camaro: everyone’s first car

03-05-2021, 09:12 PM	#10
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,600 View My Garage	I think side skirts, especially those ZL1 style ones, should help with gravel kicked up by the front tires, in addition to rock guards of course. I will install side skirts once the weather grows a bit warmer (garage is not heated) and validate, but ZL1 owners certainly can attest to how useful side skirts actually are. Nothing will provide 100% protection, but PPF on top of these will at least act a sacrificial top layer for smaller rocks, and if something blasts through it, too, well I say so be it, this is only a car after all, no use being too much a perfectionist and stressing out over these things. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

03-06-2021, 06:14 AM	#11
cmfhsu Drives: 2019 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: CT Posts: 112	I use ZL1 addons rock guards. They don't look like big dumb mud flaps and I don't get any rock chips (that I've noticed) - even after a season's worth of track days and autocross on Goodyear SC3s.

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