What two and a half years living on gravel roads does to a new Ranger

[Trigganometry]

Laminate-X does make 8mil paint protector sheets you can make your own from for a savings. Just need to plan it out well and DYI https://lamin-x.com/24-wide-paint-protection-sheets.html

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[JasonTremor]

I've seen some good results from Line-X on color matching where they sprayed the rockers and up about 10 inches on the door and bedside. Might look cool to color match the OE fender flares if you like the two tone look. Everyone has their preferences though.

 

[TXRangerTim]

I've seen some good results from Line-X on color matching where they sprayed the rockers and up about 10 inches on the door and bedside. Might look cool to color match the OE fender flares if you like the two tone look. Everyone has their preferences though.

Line-X does a good job color matching and is very durable. The main drawback to using on an extorior body panel is that is is not removable. Paint prep prior to applying involving scuffing the paint up. For a permanent solution and if someone likes the Line-X texture, then yes it's a good option.

 

[ControlNode]

Running boards would catch a lot of what the mud flaps miss.

 

[dondonbabyraptor]

I can see this being more of a problem if you plan to trade in before the end of its life. But to me, it looks like a normal truck. Definitely can be an issue though for a lot of circumstances.

 

[9zero1790]

my 5g has the the gravel spots too.
some how i have several under the protective film stuff despite the film. they do not polish out as the paint is chipped away form the area.

 

[Danager]

I’ve seen warranty mentioned a few times. From my experience, this covers defects and blemishes from the factory, and even those can be a fight. If your dealership covers this let me know, I’d consider switching for my next purchase.

 

[Canadian Ranger]

Plasti-dip is good stuff but it takes less abuse than paint does. Where you're doing that much gravel road driving, you'll have to go the Line-X route, perhaps the more expensive color matched option as it's a heavier coating as well.
I don't know if you live in the salt belt or not, but I'd be more worried about rust than appearance regardless of your decision.

 

[Rp930]

I’ve seen warranty mentioned a few times. From my experience, this covers defects and blemishes from the factory, and even those can be a fight. If your dealership covers this let me know, I’d consider switching for my next purchase.

I am not seeing warranty stepping up for this one. Unless you’re a terrific customer and the dealer eats the repair.

 

[Dereku]

I did a 12 mil vinyl on my last truck. Looked like bedliner and was reversable. I had body rot I cut out fiberglassed and primed. Didn't want to blend so i hit it. Just cheap stuff I found on ebay. Needed a torch at times to form it. Heat gun was not enough.

 

[Apples]

If you would have been driving a Taco, you wouldn't even have rocker panels left!

 

[Jason B]

Guess I shoulda got it in white...

I don't see a real solution for this outside of a expensive and ugly line-x coating or maybe I will try doing a strip of plasti-dip. Chips through the 3M strip and even if I got it repainted under warranty it would just chip again with this thin eco-paint.
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The good thing with white is that it wouldn't show up as easily.
The bad thing with white is that it wouldn't show up as easily, until it started to rust through.

 

[Friday yet?]

Already sweating rock chips on my soon to be here Tremor. This thread is ratcheting up my stress. Just sucks. Got me rethinking, again, my plans to immediately remove the steps. If those steps even block the occasional rock it may be worth leaving them on there.

It's even more emotionally horrifying when rocks are chipping the illustrious blue paint!

 

[AzScorpion]

Already sweating rock chips on my soon to be here Tremor. This thread is ratcheting up my stress. Just sucks. Got me rethinking, again, my plans to immediately remove the steps. If those steps even block the occasional rock it may be worth leaving them on there.

It's even more emotionally horrifying when rocks are chipping the illustrious blue paint!

Mine came with the factory steps which I really didn't want. I was going to remove them but after seeing a few others who didn't have them and had chips on their rockers I decided to just leave them. 3.5 years later and I have no chips and also no mud guards so they must help. You could always throw some PPF on there for added protection. It'll help keep that shiny white paint from getting chipped.

 

[Peragrin]

Like I said the PPF isn't going to pass muster. I already plastidipped the front lower grill from silver to black and that has been holding up great, I could do the whole truck. I've painted a car or two before. This one hyperdip makes isn't bad looking. Plus I could change colors every year for ~$350. The Line-x stripe was $1400 and looks like crap even with the color match.

Other thing I thought of is adding rock sliders/steps though I don't think that'll block everything either.

Nope, in the pics it looks exaggerated. 265/70 Wildpeaks on the stock wheels.

The steps help a lot for that section. NH winter driver, I had steps but no mudflaps for the first winter, and my steps were coated in slush and snow. I put weathertech mudflaps on last spring and this winter very little snow slush piled up so far.

The two won't catch everything but they will catch a lot of that crap.

Defense in depth. every layer adds a bit more protection

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