1LE Drivers who aren't using Rock Guards

MATTY-1LE · 07-16-2018, 02:41 PM

I've noticed a ton of 1LE drivers not using rock guards on their rides. Via IG photos and other places I've seen. How are you guys managing to do that? Ive owned my car for a little over a month and already have substantial tiny chips on the fender. And I am also running a rock guard. Admittedly the guards have cut down most of it though (have been on about 3 weeks)

Please share what magic spell you have summoned to not damage the paint on your cars.

Thanks

1LE Brother

TRZ06 · 07-16-2018, 02:54 PM

I just picked mine up on Saturday, and while I am not doing the rock guards, I am having the front bumper, side view mirrors, and lower panels clear bra'ed

wise · 07-16-2018, 04:06 PM

I have just under 1200 miles on my car and haven't noticed anything yet. The only thing I have noticed is a few small chips on my front bumper. Quarters/fenders look great though.

Camarentino · 07-16-2018, 04:25 PM

Not my daily

Laststandard · 07-16-2018, 04:42 PM

Not my daily driver, almost to 3000 miles. No rock guards and no extra protection. Have a small ding in the front bumper.. probably some marks in front of the rear wheels. I'm not too worried about it.

pbsinternet1le · 07-16-2018, 04:48 PM

Unicorns

Vtor_ZL1 · 07-16-2018, 05:21 PM

I could hear the rock bouncing off the mirrors !

wjones14 · 07-16-2018, 05:29 PM

I did the GM pre-painted splash guards within a few weeks of buying the car. At about 900 miles the rear rocker panels in front of the rear wheels (above the factory PPF) had already collected at least half a dozen minor chips. None were through the clearcoat, but before it got any worse, I fixed the chips with OEM touch up and Langka blob eliminator (like Dr. Colorchip). Then I went to the local XPEL installer and had him replace the factory PPF with pieces that covered that entire rocker area up to the panel seam. $120 for the XPEL installation.

So much peace of mind now.

Only a couple weeks after the XPEL install, I heard a stone bounce off the lower side of the car. When I got home I saw that it had gouged the XPEL that was just installed, but saved the paint underneath! Well, that's exactly what it's supposed to do.

zr1chris · 07-16-2018, 05:38 PM

I'm afraid to say I have none in fear of jinxing myself but nothing yet anyway. Only 600 miles though. It did come with a clear vinyl piece on the bottom just behind the doors where the body starts to flare outward. Florida's road are pretty clean compared to allot of other places especially my old home in Massachusetts.

TP355Z · 07-16-2018, 05:48 PM

When I bought mine I immediately put on the ZL1 Add-Ons guards. Then this spring (~250 miles on car) I had the nose and bottom 8" of the car clear-bra'd.

After 3 track days I'm telling you - rock guards aren't enough. I had a big chunk of rubber hit my lower rocker so hard I thought the car tossed a lug nut. All it did was gouge the clear bra.

If I have to have it re-applied in a few years, who cares - the car will look perfect again.

50MileSmile · 07-16-2018, 06:05 PM

If you gouge Xpel, you can get it replaced under warranty.

MATTY-1LE · 07-16-2018, 06:12 PM

When i get home if i remember im going to send a pic of the rock chips. Mind you, you have to really be close,but it looks like that little dude from cats eye went ham on my fender.

mikem2104 · 07-16-2018, 06:21 PM

i'm in the boat of having the gm rock guards and i still have rock chips. had the same problem with my 16 ss ... i think it really depends on the roads/conditions you drive in. for me, dr. colorchip is my friend

Whitespeed · 07-16-2018, 06:43 PM

I have Xpel on the rockers and ZL1Addons rock guards, and the whole car is ceramic coated. The rock guards just don't go low enough to be really effective. I'm still seeing divots showing up in the Xpel. At least it's not the paint, but it is noticeable when standing next to the car. Plus, I get lots of road tar along the rockers, which shows up really well on the Summit White. I just installed RPI Designs side skirts, so I'm hoping they will deflect a lot of debris. I noticed the RPI has rock guards as well, that go much lower than the ZL1Addons. However, the rear RPI rock guards look a little odd to me.

I also have Xpel on the front bumper thankfully, because on my first track day, the car got hit by a big chunk of molten rubber on the leading edge above the upper grill. It's left a stain I still can't figure out how to get rid of.

Nigel

07-16-2018, 02:41 PM	#1
MATTY-1LE Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Houston Posts: 211	1LE Drivers who aren't using Rock Guards I've noticed a ton of 1LE drivers not using rock guards on their rides. Via IG photos and other places I've seen. How are you guys managing to do that? Ive owned my car for a little over a month and already have substantial tiny chips on the fender. And I am also running a rock guard. Admittedly the guards have cut down most of it though (have been on about 3 weeks) Please share what magic spell you have summoned to not damage the paint on your cars. Thanks 1LE Brother __________________ Current: 2018 1SS 1LE - stock Past: 2008 C6 - heads/cam/boltons 2005 GTO - cam/boltons

07-16-2018, 02:54 PM	#2
TRZ06 Drives: 22' Porsche PDK GT4 Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bay Area Posts: 2,013	I just picked mine up on Saturday, and while I am not doing the rock guards, I am having the front bumper, side view mirrors, and lower panels clear bra'ed __________________ Current: 22' Porsche PDK GT4 (MCS 2-way remote dampers) Previous: 18' NFG 2SS *1LE* (ZL1 1LE solid rear cradle bushings & Corsa Exhaust) 16' F80 M3 (Ohlin R/T Coilovers) 13' Audi TTRS (APR Stage 1, MSS Springs) 09' C6 Z06 08' E90 M3 06' 335i (KW V2 Coilovers) 03' C5 Z06

07-16-2018, 04:06 PM	#3
wise Drives: 1SS/1LE Join Date: May 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 388	I have just under 1200 miles on my car and haven't noticed anything yet. The only thing I have noticed is a few small chips on my front bumper. Quarters/fenders look great though. __________________

07-16-2018, 04:25 PM	#4
Camarentino Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Toronto, CAN Posts: 210	Not my daily __________________ 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE w/PDR Summit White KN intake-MBRP cb- 2nd cat deletes- ACS sides- iroc Z spoiler- Eibach Pro- Katech 95TB- MSD Manifold-GM strut bar- Custom tune by Arun Ahuja @ CCPERF.ca

07-16-2018, 04:42 PM	#5
Laststandard Drives: 2018 1SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 428	Not my daily driver, almost to 3000 miles. No rock guards and no extra protection. Have a small ding in the front bumper.. probably some marks in front of the rear wheels. I'm not too worried about it. __________________ 2018 1SS 1LE (sold)

07-16-2018, 04:48 PM	#6
pbsinternet1le Drives: 2017 1le current /2015 2ss 1le sold Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Whitesburg Ga 30185 Posts: 759	Unicorns __________________ 2017 1LE Hyper Blue

07-16-2018, 05:21 PM	#7
Vtor_ZL1 Who Needs to KNOW? Drives: 18 ZLE Join Date: May 2018 Location: Left Side of the Moon Posts: 1,770	I could hear the rock bouncing off the mirrors ! __________________ ing for grip. Are you in the NY/NJ/PA/CT region? Join us for autox fun at MetLife Stadium. HUGE lots, tons of runs. http://www.motorsportsne.com/

07-16-2018, 05:29 PM	#8
wjones14 Drives: 2021 BMW M2 Competition Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Niantic CT Posts: 775	I did the GM pre-painted splash guards within a few weeks of buying the car. At about 900 miles the rear rocker panels in front of the rear wheels (above the factory PPF) had already collected at least half a dozen minor chips. None were through the clearcoat, but before it got any worse, I fixed the chips with OEM touch up and Langka blob eliminator (like Dr. Colorchip). Then I went to the local XPEL installer and had him replace the factory PPF with pieces that covered that entire rocker area up to the panel seam. $120 for the XPEL installation. So much peace of mind now. Only a couple weeks after the XPEL install, I heard a stone bounce off the lower side of the car. When I got home I saw that it had gouged the XPEL that was just installed, but saved the paint underneath! Well, that's exactly what it's supposed to do. __________________ 2021 BMW M2 Competition 6MT 2011 Candy Lime Green Kawasaki Z1000 (1/4 mile - 10.38 @ 129.61 mph - stock) ---------- Previous: 2018 Summit White 2SS 1LE; 2015 MINI Cooper F56 6MT; 2015 BMW M235i 6MT; 2003 MINI 5MT; 2005 Mustang GT 5MT

07-16-2018, 05:38 PM	#9
zr1chris Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS/1LE Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Port Saint Lucie FL Posts: 1,224	I'm afraid to say I have none in fear of jinxing myself but nothing yet anyway. Only 600 miles though. It did come with a clear vinyl piece on the bottom just behind the doors where the body starts to flare outward. Florida's road are pretty clean compared to allot of other places especially my old home in Massachusetts.

07-16-2018, 05:48 PM	#10
TP355Z Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: CT Posts: 27	When I bought mine I immediately put on the ZL1 Add-Ons guards. Then this spring (~250 miles on car) I had the nose and bottom 8" of the car clear-bra'd. After 3 track days I'm telling you - rock guards aren't enough. I had a big chunk of rubber hit my lower rocker so hard I thought the car tossed a lug nut. All it did was gouge the clear bra. If I have to have it re-applied in a few years, who cares - the car will look perfect again.

07-16-2018, 06:05 PM	#11
50MileSmile Drives: 2023 2SS, 2018 1SS 1LE, 1993 Z/28 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Midwest Posts: 819	If you gouge Xpel, you can get it replaced under warranty.

07-16-2018, 06:12 PM	#12
MATTY-1LE Drives: 2018 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Houston Posts: 211	When i get home if i remember im going to send a pic of the rock chips. Mind you, you have to really be close,but it looks like that little dude from cats eye went ham on my fender. __________________ Current: 2018 1SS 1LE - stock Past: 2008 C6 - heads/cam/boltons 2005 GTO - cam/boltons

07-16-2018, 06:21 PM	#13
mikem2104 Drives: 18 2SS 1LE, 20 Canyon Denali Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Windsor, ON Posts: 488	i'm in the boat of having the gm rock guards and i still have rock chips. had the same problem with my 16 ss ... i think it really depends on the roads/conditions you drive in. for me, dr. colorchip is my friend __________________ 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

07-16-2018, 06:43 PM	#14
Whitespeed Drives: 2018 1SS 1LE & 1973 Datsun 240Z Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Ontario Posts: 574	I have Xpel on the rockers and ZL1Addons rock guards, and the whole car is ceramic coated. The rock guards just don't go low enough to be really effective. I'm still seeing divots showing up in the Xpel. At least it's not the paint, but it is noticeable when standing next to the car. Plus, I get lots of road tar along the rockers, which shows up really well on the Summit White. I just installed RPI Designs side skirts, so I'm hoping they will deflect a lot of debris. I noticed the RPI has rock guards as well, that go much lower than the ZL1Addons. However, the rear RPI rock guards look a little odd to me. I also have Xpel on the front bumper thankfully, because on my first track day, the car got hit by a big chunk of molten rubber on the leading edge above the upper grill. It's left a stain I still can't figure out how to get rid of. Nigel

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