[Steve Hughes]

My 2007 Solstice GTX has 105,000 miles, and I'll keep it forever, but thanks to my gravel road & my wide tires & wheels, its got road rash along the sides. It's now being completely refinished, & I am considering some sort of "mudflaps" behind the front wheels to deflect rocks. I tried having a clear film applied on the rocker panels, but eventually it came loose at the edges, & caused damage to the paint it was supposed to protect. Any suggestions?

 

[Seltzinator]

GM makes a set of splash guards for the car that you can order color matched to your Solstice and look very smart. I don't know the price, but any dealer should be able to quote you.

If you want to go a cheaper route, you can get this set in matte black: 06 09 Solstice Splash Guards Mud Flaps Molded Front Rear Black GM Brand New | eBay which seems to be the same ones, only without the paint. Lots of sets like this on ebay, I just picked the first one that looked right.

As far as protecting your rockers and doors from direct hits, I know that Rob and others have done a lot of work protecting their paint and may be able to offer you some tips.

 

[redcoats1976]

talking bout mudflaps,my girls got em...

 

[wine_lover]

talking bout mudflaps,my girls got em...

There are now two current threads on the same subject!

 

[Steve Hughes]

Thanks I'll contact my dealer!

 

[chickenwire]

talking bout mudflaps,my girls got em...

No. Just . . . no.

 

[Sting Ya]

Check your other post Crate Engine Depot sells them for almost1/2 of what a dealer will charge you I know I bought my first set through my local dealer and they were 160 and change .By the way they are easy to install as they use the existing fender hardware no holes to drill.

 

[silverfox90]

The splash guards do work well for deflecting rocks as well as some water and dirt from slinging up. However, speed bumps and other uneven surfaces in the road become an issue, especially if lowered. I scrape them on any speed bump and it has caused slight damage to my fenders.

 

[Sting Ya]

silverfox: My car is lowered with mudflaps and if you are talking about the mudflap rubbing on the body panel because it is so stiff and screwing up the paint go to an auto parts store and pick up some black door edge guard (the flexible stuff that comes in a roll) and line the edge of the flap that comes in contact with the fender.A couple of good coats of wax in the area and this remedy and you should be OK.I did this last year and have not had any issues since and the stuff is hardly noticeable

 

[LiquidPT]

silverfox: My car is lowered with mudflaps and if you are talking about the mudflap rubbing on the body panel because it is so stiff and screwing up the paint go to an auto parts store and pick up some black door edge guard (the flexible stuff that comes in a roll) and line the edge of the flap that comes in contact with the fender.A couple of good coats of wax in the area and this remedy and you should be OK.I did this last year and have not had any issues since and the stuff is hardly noticeable

No, I've actually dented the bottoms of my fenders, and I'm not lowered. Just big speed bumps

 

[Seltzinator]

No, I've actually dented the bottoms of my fenders, and I'm not lowered. Just big speed bumps

Doubt that was from the splash guards then. I can see that happening on mine for sure if the bump was high enough.

 

[The Shadow]

i got my splash guards from Crate Engine Depot, something like $40 a set. I did scrape the left front guard once and from the sound it made I thought I had done some major damage. I leaped out of the car almost before it had come to a complete stop to check it out. All I did was scrape the bottom of it a bit. It had a ragged edge where it caught the bump. I sharp knife took care of the edge. It was a particularly large speed bump, so now I am a little wary but your average bump is no problem.

 

[kwtoxman]

Get a better film installer. Installers I know offer long warranties that cover peeling film. Mine with 7 years is still cherry. And I'd rather replace every 5-10 years the rocker area than bolt on a band-aid. It's long been known that mudflaps on the car don't play well with speed bumps. And many don't like the look (personal choice).

 

[silverfox90]

No, I've actually dented the bottoms of my fenders, and I'm not lowered. Just big speed bumps

I have experienced the same damage recently as I have been unable to avoid speed bumps in a particular area I travel. Definitely dented the fenders, but it's either this or road rash down the entire side of the car.

 

[kwtoxman]

I have experienced the same damage recently as I have been unable to avoid speed bumps in a particular area I travel. Definitely dented the fenders, but it's either this or road rash down the entire side of the car.

Not for me. Lowered (a lot), no mudflaps, no road rash, no fender damage, crazy bad Canada roads, narrow speed bumps and wide speed bumps (take them at an angle).

 

[R&T]

No mud flaps or film. Car has 20k on it and only has 3 small chips in front of the rear wheels. Might be 1/16th of an inch wide and not much longer. I don't like mudflaps(they eventually rub through unless perfectly fit inside the wheel well) and the film is too noticeable even on our silver car and it's a PITA with waxes, polishes, and clays. Always seem to spend more time cleaning the lip of the film than I did the car.

We own two black vehicles as well and they are driven all year. Her SUV has mudflaps and my truck does not. After 100k miles on both my truck does look worse but it is the bottom of the panels and the lower 4 inches of the rear bed by the tires. You can't even tell until you are within a foot or two of the truck and even then you got to look close.

 

[kwtoxman]

To each their own. Film is only noticeable if you buy the crappy (imo least desirable) 3m clearbra, which most do. Ventureshield is basically invisible. No one has ever noticed it on my car or my friend's car, unless pointed out.

As for waxing, things are easy now with 3M waxes that work with films. And a detailing brush fixes wax on the edges easily and quickly.

 

[LiquidPT]

Doubt that was from the splash guards then. I can see that happening on mine for sure if the bump was high enough.

Well, the dents are right under the splash guards... over speed bump, come down the other side and jam the splash guards up into the fender... yup...

 

[TX08manualGXP]

No. Just . . . no.

I was thinking the same thing Chicken when I read that post. TMI that's for sure.