Noticed a Few Things Washing my Truck

[TopazBlue6.2]

I gave my truck a nice hand wash the other day and she looks good but I noticed a few things I was not happy about...

I noticed that my mud flaps on the front have rubbed the paint off where it contacts the truck. It can't be seen unless you move the flap by hand, anyone else have this problem?

Also I noticed that my passenger side headlight gets fogged up whenever there is water on it from rain, wash, etc. Anybody else have this?

What can I do about these issues? I figure the headlight isn't a big problem and probably can be handled under warranty but the paint issue is a different story. Thoughts?

[sahls01gmc]

Dealer installed mudflaps? I'd hit them up for both problems and see what they say.

[jjgolec]

Any luck with the dealer? And what is up with the piece of rubber glued around the inside of the rear wheel wells around the lip off the well? Anyone know what the rubber is for?

[Victor Hernandez]

And what is up with the piece of rubber glued around the inside of the rear wheel wells around the lip off the well? Anyone know what the rubber is for?

Are you talking about the wheel well liner? Protects your truck from road residue collecting and causing rust down the road. I'm glad my truck has them; used to have a '98 Silverado and so much gunk would collect there until I washed it out. Good stuff!

[jjgolec]

_{No I have a 2015 Silverado and there is a thin rubber strip glued aroung the inside of the rear fender well. Any Idea??}

[2016 Sierra Owner]

Sierras are made differently so I can't comment on the mudflap issue. The headlight fogging is a known issue here on the forums. It's normal. Some have had the dealers replace the headlight housings. However I don't think they are replacing them anymore.

[thefishhawk]

Not surprised about the paint, it's so thin on these trucks it scratches really easily. I keep the color pen, clear coat and rubbing compound handy.

 

I have the same mudflaps though and had to remove them since I was beating the hell out of them, I didn't have scratches like that. Rubbing compound cleaned up the scuffs. maybe they missed installing some protective tape on yours. Seemed like mine had it in that area.

 

I'm always leary about the dealership making small problems worse, I'd make sure everything is tight and they didn't miss putting any screws in; then just take a paint pen or something to seal up the scrathes since they are hidden, finally take some adhesive backed foam/rubber, or 3M clear tape stuff and run a line along the rub to protect it going forward.

[FormerFordGuy]

I love my truck, but I think they only used about a teaspoon of paint and clear coat on the whole truck.

[redwngr]

Fogging should clear up on it's own (there is a vent hole)

[tnchevy]

Any luck with the dealer? And what is up with the piece of rubber glued around the inside of the rear wheel wells around the lip off the well? Anyone know what the rubber is for?

Man, you are obsessed with that aren't you. You already started one thread on it and it has been answered.

[jonny24]

I don't know about the rubber thing but it sounds like something I was thinking of doing to try to prevent rock chips on the inside lip of the wheel well

[Victor Hernandez]

_{No I have a 2015 Silverado and there is a thin rubber strip glued aroung the inside of the rear fender well. Any Idea??}

I have a 2014 Silverado, new body style. That rubber piece is the rear wheel well liner.

[Shredzy]

That's one reason I dislike those factory mud guards-shouldn't they have some clear protective film between the guard and paint??

 

Maybe the installer skipped that important step?

[Raiderse]

Not surprised about the paint, it's so thin on these trucks it scratches really easily. I keep the color pen, clear coat and rubbing compound handy.

 

I have the same mudflaps though and had to remove them since I was beating the hell out of them, I didn't have scratches like that. Rubbing compound cleaned up the scuffs. maybe they missed installing some protective tape on yours. Seemed like mine had it in that area.

 

I'm always leary about the dealership making small problems worse, I'd make sure everything is tight and they didn't miss putting any screws in; then just take a paint pen or something to seal up the scrathes since they are hidden, finally take some adhesive backed foam/rubber, or 3M clear tape stuff and run a line along the rub to protect it going forward.

Also, My Brother Paints and mentioned that the manufacturers are cutting back on the amount of Catalyst (Hardener) in the Clear coat Catalyst has become expensive and the Manufacturers are using less to save costs. Understandable but at the prices they are asking for these vehicles you'd think they wouldn't have to cut costs. I and my Brother have seen many vehicles not garage kept loose the majority of the clear coat on the roof, Hood and trunk in just 5 years. All makes and models. They want us to buy new ones sooner. I have noticed on several of my new vehicles in the past few years how easy it is to rub out minor scuffs in the clear coat with just cleaner wax and your thumb. Also notices how quickly and easily the bugs and acid rain mars the clear coat. Much easier than in the past. Hardener makes the clear coat just that "Harder" and more resistant to damage.