[Z51Stingray]

Our Club had a cook-out in Dysart last night and HWY 21 just had all its cracks and holes filled with tar and pea gravel. 47 mile round trip and NOT ONE rock chip or mark on the rear quarters.

I've posted before about how terrible the GM Aftermarket Splash Guards are at protecting the rear quarter panels.

The first picture below is of the factory protective film all chewed up from road debris. Only a few of the gouges went into the paint so the film did its job.

I had the film replaced with a bigger piece that goes from the body panel seam, to the door gap, and to the line of the wheel well so you can't see the edge of the film like the factory film. No visible edges and better coverage!!!

The second picture is a comparison of the factory film vs aftermarket film(This was taken after 47 miles on the pea gravel repaired road, NOT ONE rock chip or even mark).

Then installed RPI's ZR7 Stage II Side Skirts for even more protection and give the car a subtle yet more aggressive look.

In my book, RPI Designs NAILED IT!!!

I normally don't condone drilling or putting holes into any car, but these were definitely worth doing that!!!

I highly recommend them AND replacing your factory protective film!!!

​

 

[rdslon01]

Wow! The whole white/black theme of contrasts on your car are breathtaking! It is very beautiful. Also, thanks for posting about the results of your modifications, and how everything is holding up now. Nice!

 

[Z51Stingray]

Thank you for the kind words!

I've always loved the black and white motif.

I guess it comes from being a KISS fan since 1975.

 

[Kathoga]

The second picture is a comparison of the factory film vs aftermarket film(This was taken after 47 miles on of the pea gravel road repairs, NOT ONE rock chip or even mark).
I highly recommend them AND replacing your factory protective film!!!

Sorry if I missed it. What aftermarket film did you use?
I was thinking I would do Xpel with the ACS-C7 Aero Pack. Perhaps adding the GM Slash guards as well.

 

[Z51Stingray]

The guy who did the film used XPel and used painter's tape to create a pattern on the car, then cut the pattern on a work bench, and applied it.

The pattern took the longest time. The application took about 10 minutes for each side.

 

[427cobraguy]

It looks like you removed the factory film (no edges in picture). I'm planning on xpel on the front and rockers.

 

[Z51Stingray]

It looks like you removed the factory film (no edges in picture). I'm planning on xpel on the front and rockers.

You are correct.

 

[Z06 Owned]

Those rocker extensions are subtle. Nice.

 

[Z51Stingray]

Those rocker extensions are subtle. Nice.

Thank you!

All the exterior mods on my Camaro's were subtle.

Then you open the hood and... BAM!

My attitude towards mods... less is more. I like subtlety on the ouside.

 

[f152tall]

Can you explain in a little more detail what you mean by "used painter's tape"? Did he place the product on the car with the backing still on and then tape it and cut it on the table?

 

[STUNG]

Hi Z51 Stingray:

I just did a 500 mile road trip and found one stone chip on the passenger side of the rocker factory film and it really pissed me off. So, asap I am off to the detailers for more film protection especially along the rockers & leading edges of the rear fenders. I allready have the splash guards and I think they prevented more rock chips on the film. Good article and great photos. Factory film seems a little too soft. My detailer uses Xpel. I think GM uses 3M. Thanks...... I will let you know my results and experiences.

STUNG

 

[Z51Stingray]

Can you explain in a little more detail what you mean by "used painter's tape"? Did he place the product on the car with the backing still on and then tape it and cut it on the table?

He taped the film to the car and then used painter's tape to mark the body line of the wheel well, door gap, and body panel gap.

Then he pulled everything off, cut out the pattern on the work bench, used a heat gun to remove the old film, removed adhesive with 3M Adhesive Remover, cleaned the area, applied the new film, and then set the new film with a little warm air from the heat gun.

STUNG... I'm sorry your car got stung. You may want to consider the side skirts too.

 

[2ndVett]

Concur....the black/white look is fantastic. Congratulations on a truly beautiful car. Many thanks for the information about the protective film.

 

[mjw930]

I have a number of nicks in the side protective film since most of the miles so far have been on secondary roads and the tires pick up everything that's not glued down to the road. Doesn't bother me at all, it just shows that A) they put the tape in the right spot and B) the car is being enjoyed to its fullest.

Each to his or her own.

 

[Z51Stingray]

I have a number of nicks in the side protective film since most of the miles so far have been on secondary roads and the tires pick up everything that's not glued down to the road. Doesn't bother me at all, it just shows that A) they put the tape in the right spot and B) the car is being enjoyed to its fullest.

Each to his or her own.

We enjoy our car too, but no sense in letting it get beat up by road debris when it can be protected for under $100 with larger film at the very least.

The side skirts are just added insurance.

Both still less than a repaint.

 

[Mobius]

I have a number of nicks in the side protective film...

Same with me, and these are currently the only nicks on the car. It's not a part of the car that many people notice, and I'm only slightly annoyed by them, since you should expect to get some scratches and paint nicks over the months and years.

 

[mjw930]

We enjoy our car too, but no sense in letting it get beat up by road debris when it can be protected for under $100 with larger film at the very least.

The side skirts are just added insurance.

Both still less than a repaint.

Understood and a properly installed larger piece that blends into the panel seam is very interesting option.