Splash Guard help!!!

[Sierra150011]

Hey everyone, just bought a 2012 sierra 1500 crew cab. I got the factoru mud flaps and have a few questions and could really use some help.

 

1. i want to put 3m tape to prevent the flaps from scratching the paint, but how far past the contact line should i put the tape?

 

2. i am nervous about drilling to install the rear ones. any tips? what should i coat the screws/holes with?

 

thanks!

[gmtech4]

answer 1 ,,,---dont use any tape

 

answer 2,,,,,, nothing

 

 

 

 

drive the truck and enjoy it ,,dont sweat the small stuff

[RyanbabZ71]

I would suggest using the 3m clear film under the mudflap. That is what they used on mine back in 2010. Like said above dont worry about drilling. I had to drill mine back in 2000 and never had an issue. Its not the end of the world and it will not cause any issues.

[foghorn23]

I painted the screw holes with touch up paint I also painted the screws and coated the threads on the back side of the fender lip with silicone. I did think about what Ryanbab did with the 3M clear tape, but decided against it. The way the OEM guards are made there is a softer rubberized lip that makes contact with the fender when installed. I haven't noticed any rubbing or missing paint. I was nervous about the guards as well, but they do fit perfectly and after 1 1/2 years I'd do it the same way again. Just my $0.02.

 

My biggest problem was in getting the bottom bolt in on the front guards. It is a tough and tight fit.

 

Good luck

[ajcain79]

answer 1 ,,,---dont use any tape

 

answer 2,,,,,, nothing

 

 

 

 

drive the truck and enjoy it ,,dont sweat the small stuff

 

 

This is what I did on my 2007. I never had any problems, so I just did the same to my 2012.

[Stevens03]

I didn't use any tape behind the flaps but I did put silicone on the screws to seal the holes.

[ljburns]

^{I didnt use tape. I put anti sieze in the screw threads and the put silicone over that. Probably too much, but better safe than sorry. I also put a couple coats of wax on the painted area.}

 

^{On a side note, I have had to remove both front guards to fix the little rubber "gasket" that forms the seal between the truck and the guard. The automatic car washes must like to pull at them. I just put a thin coat of 50 year silicone between the gasket and the guard and then put the gasket back in place with tape overnight to let it try. Then I reinstalled the guard. Havent had anymore problems for a year now. The reason why I am telling you this is because when I removed the front guards there was nothing wrong with the paint undernieth, about 6 months after install.}

[RyanbabZ71]

I did think about what Ryanbab did with the 3M clear tape

 

I didnt do it, I had the dealer installed protection pkg (mudflaps, wheel well liners, & bed rail caps) ordered with my truck and the 3m film was part of the install with the mudflaps

[Sierra150011]

thanks guys! fronts are on without tape or anything but looks like it should be good...as far as the backs, has anyone NOT used the bolt on the bottom? wondering if it is tight enough without it?

[gnet158]

I installed a set of weather tech's no drill front and rear, I used good old electrical tape on the areas that "might" be effected. Install took me about an hour for all 4.

 

Fronts:

 

Rears:

[highspeedvehicle]

Careful when drilling and as for the screws I coated them with GM superlube. They apparently swear by it so figured why not. Glad to see some people with the 07's not having any issues as I was nervous as hell when I did this. FYI the reason I used the superlubs was as below:

 

http://www.super-lube.com/files/pdfs/GM.pdf

 

 

GM Corrosion Concerns

Corrosion Concerns

Frequently, dealer installed accessories, whether

aftermarket or GM-approved, require drilling holes in

body panels or supports to complete installation.

Whenever you drill into a metal surface, the corrosion

resistance of that panel is compromised. Testing was

recently conducted to determine the best method to use

to protect fastener-to-panel mounting holes from future

corrosion. Several commercially available sealers

and coatings were evaluated.

Recommendations

In all cases, GM Vehicle Care Super Lube® with PTFE

performed the best at preventing corrosion in fastener

to panel interface holes and is now the official GM

recommended product. It is recommended to coat any

hole and fastener when installing to a drilled attaching

hole in a metal panel with GM Vehicle Care Super Lube®

with PTFE.

Important: GM Vehicle Care Super Lube® with PTFE

is the only product recommended and required by

GM for the corrosion protection of metal panels where

fasteners will be added to metal panels.

Parts Information

Part Number Description for 3 oz. Tube of Grease

12371287 (US)

10953437

(Canada)

GM Vehicle Care Super Lube®

with PTFE

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

[savillian]

I installed a set of weather tech's no drill front and rear, I used good old electrical tape on the areas that "might" be effected. Install took me about an hour for all 4.

 

Fronts:

 

Rears:

 

 

Those look really good and no red GMC (or Bowtie for you)! Might have to get me a pair when my truck comes in!

[NARDA1]

If I was to do it over again I wouldn't use the molded flaps because road grit or whatever gets in between the mud flap and fender and scratches the hell out of the paint. I would use the flat mud flaps to eliminate the problem. I did install the clear film to keep it from getting worse until I can get the area repainted.

[Sierra150011]

the new gm molded guards have a rubberized strip between the plastic and the truck's paint...this seems to eliminate the old scratched paint problem right?

[foghorn23]

the new gm molded guards have a rubberized strip between the plastic and the truck's paint...this seems to eliminate the old scratched paint problem right?

 

 

I assume that's why it's there. At least that's what I told myself when I didn't put anything between the guard and the paint. I'll let you know for sure in a few years.