Rocker panel road rash

Rich Alsip · 07-22-2018, 09:47 PM

Plastic rocker panel looks like crap after 2 years , any thing short of getting repainted I can do about it, rock guards definitely on the shopping list Name: IMG_0671.jpg
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Name: IMG_0671.jpg
Views: 1282
Size: 218.0 KB

Name: IMG_0672.jpg
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Size: 238.4 KB

HYPER1LE · 07-23-2018, 01:46 AM

I have a ‘17 SS 1LE. What I have done to mitigate the road rash is 1) Xpel Paint Protection Film (or othe PPF) the entire rocket panel from rear of front wheel well opening toward the back and up to the body seam with the quarter panel, 2) ZL1Addons premium rock guards, and 3) C7 Carbon ZL1-style side skirts. Many other owners have the same or similar combinations. I am finding this combined protection (and to a degree enhanced looks) to be working quite well.

Where your stock, factory-installed PPF is will be removed for Xpel or other PPF. It’s possible your paint will still be fine underneath. As for the areas presently unprotected, you may need paint-correction to remove, unless the chips are too deep, in which case a repaint will be necessary. Should you have to repaint the rockers, PPF as soon as possible once the paint is cured. And don’t forget the rock guards (any brand of your choice). I chose the ZL1Addons brand because they work well with most side skirts if you choose to add side skirts but work without as well. There are other similar styles from other brands as well. However, be advised the GM “splash guards” will not work with most side skirts, including the GM version(s), without modification (cut to fit). On the other hand, the GM guards may likely work with “blade-style” side skirts though some cutting may still have to occur to those skirts.

See photos of my application. My apologies, but I have no close up of the Xpel PPF but trust me it’s there as well as the whole front 3rd of the car, a-pillars, and entire roof.

mikem2104 · 07-23-2018, 07:16 AM

to touch up the damage done i highly recommend the "shoe shine" method of Dr. ColorChip that is in one of the AutoGeek videos with mike phillips. works quite well. from there either wrap it or just keep after it.

what bugs me the most is even PPF looks like crap because it gets so beat up, but it is what it is.

ItsChristianInHD · 07-23-2018, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikem2104

to touch up the damage done i highly recommend the "shoe shine" method of Dr. ColorChip that is in one of the AutoGeek videos with mike phillips. works quite well. from there either wrap it or just keep after it.

what bugs me the most is even PPF looks like crap because it gets so beat up, but it is what it is.

Ones got a little road rash and I’m annoyed. Is this the best way to get rid of it?

mikem2104 · 07-23-2018, 08:47 AM

worked well for me! certainly a lot better than have the rockers/quarter resprayed.

Silverwing · 07-23-2018, 09:01 AM

I personally would not recommend Dr. Colorchip. I purchased a kit from them due to the recommendations from this forum.
However, the paint they use is not the same type of paint. It almost forms a latex type surface on top of your chip. Comes off like "white out" in clumps. The "cleaner/sealer" they use is terrible. Leaches color and takes FOREVER to get paint off surfaces adjacent to the chip, something they specifically advertise as "super easy".

Overall it was just bad and I will not be trying again. I bought some real auto paint for touch ups on amazon. Works perfectly and comes with a separate bottle for clear, perfect match and behaves the way paint should.

dfwcowboy · 07-23-2018, 09:21 AM

After seeing the rockers on my 5th gen go through similar damage from what you are describing, I opted for Xpel on the rockers up to the peak on the door panel and the GM rock guards, which work well since I don't have side skirts to worry about. I also have Xpel on the entire front bumper and on the rear quarter panels behind the wheels. All of these areas got beat up pretty good on my 5th gen. I figure as long as these areas are protected, I can manage the rest of it.

mikem2104 · 07-23-2018, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silverwing

I personally would not recommend Dr. Colorchip. I purchased a kit from them due to the recommendations from this forum.
However, the paint they use is not the same type of paint. It almost forms a latex type surface on top of your chip. Comes off like "white out" in clumps. The "cleaner/sealer" they use is terrible. Leaches color and takes FOREVER to get paint off surfaces adjacent to the chip, something they specifically advertise as "super easy".

Overall it was just bad and I will not be trying again. I bought some real auto paint for touch ups on amazon. Works perfectly and comes with a separate bottle for clear, perfect match and behaves the way paint should.

maybe you got a bad kit? I can't say that i've ever had an experience that resembles that and i've been using it for years and various colors.

ItsChristianInHD · 07-23-2018, 02:58 PM

I’ll look into it! I just got my splash guards! But Idk why the Camaro get this so bad. The lady friend has a 2016 Mustang and she has no splash guards and she has no signs of road rash.

Rich Alsip · 07-23-2018, 05:12 PM

where do i find that video?

Rich Alsip · 07-23-2018, 05:14 PM

so the factory PPF is that bad , or is it cause i have a black car?---where did you get side skirt from? Install your self?

Rich Alsip · 07-31-2018, 10:23 PM

Do you know if the factory PPF on that area will come off easily, with heat , blow dryer?.or will it mess up the paint ?

ItsChristianInHD · 08-01-2018, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikem2104

maybe you got a bad kit? I can't say that i've ever had an experience that resembles that and i've been using it for years and various colors.

Do you think Dr. color chip paint can fix it?

mikem2104 · 08-01-2018, 03:23 PM

worked well for me

07-22-2018, 09:47 PM	#1
Rich Alsip Drives: 2016 2SS convertible black Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Darien,il Posts: 18	Rocker panel road rash Plastic rocker panel looks like crap after 2 years , any thing short of getting repainted I can do about it, rock guards definitely on the shopping list

07-23-2018, 01:46 AM	#2
HYPER1LE Drives: 2017 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE HBM Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 316	I have a ‘17 SS 1LE. What I have done to mitigate the road rash is 1) Xpel Paint Protection Film (or othe PPF) the entire rocket panel from rear of front wheel well opening toward the back and up to the body seam with the quarter panel, 2) ZL1Addons premium rock guards, and 3) C7 Carbon ZL1-style side skirts. Many other owners have the same or similar combinations. I am finding this combined protection (and to a degree enhanced looks) to be working quite well. Where your stock, factory-installed PPF is will be removed for Xpel or other PPF. It’s possible your paint will still be fine underneath. As for the areas presently unprotected, you may need paint-correction to remove, unless the chips are too deep, in which case a repaint will be necessary. Should you have to repaint the rockers, PPF as soon as possible once the paint is cured. And don’t forget the rock guards (any brand of your choice). I chose the ZL1Addons brand because they work well with most side skirts if you choose to add side skirts but work without as well. There are other similar styles from other brands as well. However, be advised the GM “splash guards” will not work with most side skirts, including the GM version(s), without modification (cut to fit). On the other hand, the GM guards may likely work with “blade-style” side skirts though some cutting may still have to occur to those skirts. See photos of my application. My apologies, but I have no close up of the Xpel PPF but trust me it’s there as well as the whole front 3rd of the car, a-pillars, and entire roof. Attached Images

07-23-2018, 07:16 AM	#3
mikem2104 Drives: 18 2SS 1LE, 20 Canyon Denali Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Windsor, ON Posts: 488	to touch up the damage done i highly recommend the "shoe shine" method of Dr. ColorChip that is in one of the AutoGeek videos with mike phillips. works quite well. from there either wrap it or just keep after it. what bugs me the most is even PPF looks like crap because it gets so beat up, but it is what it is. __________________ 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

07-23-2018, 08:47 AM	#5
mikem2104 Drives: 18 2SS 1LE, 20 Canyon Denali Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Windsor, ON Posts: 488	worked well for me! certainly a lot better than have the rockers/quarter resprayed. __________________ 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

08-01-2018, 03:23 PM	#14
mikem2104 Drives: 18 2SS 1LE, 20 Canyon Denali Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Windsor, ON Posts: 488	worked well for me __________________ 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

07-23-2018, 09:01 AM	#6
Silverwing Drives: Yellow 2018 SS Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: South FL Posts: 114	I personally would not recommend Dr. Colorchip. I purchased a kit from them due to the recommendations from this forum. However, the paint they use is not the same type of paint. It almost forms a latex type surface on top of your chip. Comes off like "white out" in clumps. The "cleaner/sealer" they use is terrible. Leaches color and takes FOREVER to get paint off surfaces adjacent to the chip, something they specifically advertise as "super easy". Overall it was just bad and I will not be trying again. I bought some real auto paint for touch ups on amazon. Works perfectly and comes with a separate bottle for clear, perfect match and behaves the way paint should.

07-23-2018, 09:21 AM	#7
dfwcowboy Drives: 2024 ZL1 M6, 1969 Cessna Skylane Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Dallas Posts: 368	After seeing the rockers on my 5th gen go through similar damage from what you are describing, I opted for Xpel on the rockers up to the peak on the door panel and the GM rock guards, which work well since I don't have side skirts to worry about. I also have Xpel on the entire front bumper and on the rear quarter panels behind the wheels. All of these areas got beat up pretty good on my 5th gen. I figure as long as these areas are protected, I can manage the rest of it.

07-23-2018, 02:58 PM	#9
ItsChristianInHD Drives: 2017 Camaro 2LT RS 3.6L Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Orange Park, Florida Posts: 1,313	I’ll look into it! I just got my splash guards! But Idk why the Camaro get this so bad. The lady friend has a 2016 Mustang and she has no splash guards and she has no signs of road rash.

07-23-2018, 05:12 PM	#10
Rich Alsip Drives: 2016 2SS convertible black Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Darien,il Posts: 18	where do i find that video?

07-23-2018, 05:14 PM	#11
Rich Alsip Drives: 2016 2SS convertible black Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Darien,il Posts: 18	so the factory PPF is that bad , or is it cause i have a black car?---where did you get side skirt from? Install your self?

07-31-2018, 10:23 PM	#12
Rich Alsip Drives: 2016 2SS convertible black Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Darien,il Posts: 18	Do you know if the factory PPF on that area will come off easily, with heat , blow dryer?.or will it mess up the paint ?

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