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5688 messages,  Last post on Oct 17, 2006 at 8:34 PM

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What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Sierra 2500, GMC Sierra 3500, Truck

#5078 of 5688 Paint Protection by fitzie2 Jul 14, 2005 (6:58 pm)
Evening,, I have just purchased a 2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD. As we all know trucks are attracted to stones. I am presently debating on either purchasing the bug/stone shield or having the clear tape placed on the truck. Does anyone have this on there truck. I was looking at the 3m tape but LLumar is another option.. what do you think?   2005hd ext, Black/Char 6.0, 4x4, 410 rear Replies to this message: gmctruck (Jul 15, 2005 4:00 pm) strek (Jul 16, 2005 5:05 am) noobie1 (Jul 17, 2005 6:39 am)
#5079 of 5688 FITZIE by geo9 Jul 15, 2005 (5:19 am)
If you read back thru these forums a bug shield will be a bad idea. Wind noise, windsheild moulding reseal, etc..............   That 3m invisible bra stuff does the trick tho.!.........................   "Good luck on this one now !"
#5080 of 5688 Re: Paint Protection [fitzie2] by gmctruck Jul 15, 2005 (4:00 pm)
Replying to: fitzie2 (Jul 14, 2005 6:58 pm) Consider this... Over time, the clear tape and/or the paint underneath the tape could fade from constant UV exposure and the inability to wax the paint surface under the tape once the tape has been applied. Large stones or other objects could penetrate the tape layer.... difficult maybe, but possible. The tape layer may start to peel over time also. I have a bug shield on my '99 Sierra. The wind noise problem can be easily fixed by an application of double sided molding tape between the windshield and the weather strip on the side edges of the windshield. Personally, I don't like the way the clear tape looks. Lund makes some very nice bug shields that can be painted to match your truck if desired.
#5081 of 5688 Re: Paint Protection [fitzie2] by strek Jul 16, 2005 (5:05 am)
Replying to: fitzie2 (Jul 14, 2005 6:58 pm) I'm not convinced the bug shields are worth the money. I've had a Lund bug shield on my truck since it was new (2000). I still spend an inordinate amount of time cleaning bugs from the windshield. It does keep the rock dings from the hood, but it's not like rocks are a big problem anyway unless you do a lot of driving on unpaved roads.. I did put the 3M tape on the headlights, drls, and fog lights before a trip to Alaska a couple of years ago. I don't know how effective the tape really is, but I haven't had any broken lights and I did get some serious whacks on the windshield during that trip - trucks on the Dalton Highway really throw rocks not those little pebbles with which we normally get popped.   Strek
#5082 of 5688 Re: Paint Protection [fitzie2] by noobie1 Jul 17, 2005 (6:39 am)
Replying to: fitzie2 (Jul 14, 2005 6:58 pm) I've had the 3M stuff on my truck since Sept '01'. Put it on myself. Guaranteed for four years, so it's probably due to be replaced, although it doesn't look all that bad considering the abuse. Not the slightest nick in the paint, and it's been whacked pretty hard (infernal material trucks!). No fading of paint or peeling as suggested here, and I live in the Mojave. The only negative in my view is its inability to polish to a high gloss. I understand some don't like the look, but that's a matter of taste. There are many on-line sources. Google "Scotchguard Paint Protection Film". I got mine here:   http://www.xpel.com/   -David
#5083 of 5688 Paint Protection by fitzie2 Jul 17, 2005 (7:31 am)
Thanks for the tips. I myself like the natural lines of the truck and didn't what to alter them. I also like a chip free paint finish. Although I like the cost of the bug shield the tape seems the only option ($450 ,,,ouuch). Consumers were saying that the early versions of the 3m tape was faulty but many are now saying that the improvements are better. My local dealer here is offering LLumar as the best option and the tape carries a lifetime warrenty. Im thinking of having the hood done first to see how I like the product. Then have the fenders and lower front grill done later. Still shopping for a better price though.
#5084 of 5688 Tar Removal by noobie1 Jul 17, 2005 (7:37 am)
-BTW; I recently drove through wet tar creating a major problem; thoroughly coating wheel wells, rocker panels from wheel to wheel and aft of the rear wheel. Tried Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover without success; the stuff might be effective on small areas but not on a job this big. Ended the problem using the new word search feature of this sight (THANK YOU EDMUNDS!) and found a guy who had success using hand cleaner. So I bought a can of Go-Jo (without the grit) and WHOA!, what a miracle. For someone as meticulous as I am about car care it was just a huge relief. I applied it with a medium stiff brush giving time for the chemistry to work (five to ten minutes). Went over it again, scrubbing with the same brush and then, this the good part, hosed it off with a spray nozzle. It' very effective and I can't see that it does any damage to the paint, though it undoubtedly removes paint protection. I also found talk of Dupont Prep-Sol but haven't tried it so can't compare. Hope this information comes in handy for someone.   -David
#5085 of 5688 fitzie2 by noobie1 Jul 17, 2005 (7:53 am)
Knowing what I know now, if my truck were new today, I would do the hood and rocker panels, plus the area behind the rear wheels at a highth even with the top of the bumber. These areas receive a lot of abuse and I have no doubt the 3M stuff would prevent chipping.   -David
#5086 of 5688 David by ryanbab Jul 17, 2005 (11:17 am)
I had my truck covered from top to bottom in the wet tar (road construction in rain). It was nasty I used the prepsol and the tar just wiped away so easy. Only thing it also strips the wax so I had to rewax when I was done. Took me about 2 wks to remove all the tar. What a PITA
#5087 of 5688 Geo9........ Canada by rayt2 Jul 20, 2005 (8:14 am)
Not gonna make it your way this year. Campsite was full when I tried to book for end of August Long Sault across from Ogdensburg border bridge. Plus two litters of pups due within a week of each other sometime next week. I'm actually releaved since the cost of gas has gone sky high and still climbing. Two trips to Canada towing a 28' travel trailer with the truck getting 8 to 10 mpg.........well do the math and ya get the picture. Maybe I need to buy a farm and plant soy for conversion to bio-deisel, then I can get a new truck with the Duramax and make my own fuel.................. Replies to this message: txyank1 (Jul 22, 2005 6:23 am)

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