2016 LTZ 4X4 OEM Splash Guard Addition

LTZDaddy · July 27, 2016

I started this about two weeks before the truck arrived. Seems you can get the OEM splash guards in darned near every color except.... Siren Red Tintcoat.

So I took my list of accessories to my local Parts guy along with a printout from one of the myriad of online sellers and said "I need you to match these prices". Which he came darn close to, (especially when you consider when you order online you have to pay ridiculous shipping prices when you're talking about ordering $1,000 worth of stuff).

So two weeks before the truck arrives, the splash guards were in and I went and got them and took them to *another* GM dealer here in Atlanta. Actually took them to a Hennessy dealership because I know the Body Shop Manager there.

Just a ridiculously backed up and I had no expectation of getting the things painted in a week, or in two weeks, or I figured I'd be lucky if I got them done in 3 weeks. Turned out I was lucky it was about 3 weeks. LOL

That was 2 weeks ago... and of course when I picked them up the paint was so friggin soft that if you handle them too much you would end up with a fingerprint embedded in them!

So I set them on the hood of my Cadillac in the garage (which stays wrapped up under cover) and let them dry for the last two-plus weeks.

I finally decided day before yesterday I get start on this little project of mine. My problem is... I am so over-the-top OCD about maintenance in regards to detailing and paint correction, and paint protection, that just bolting them on wasn't an option. Oh noooooo that wouldn't do.

First I had to fit them and mark the Holts. Then I had to drill the holes and of course paint all the holes with Factory touch-up paint. BTW you only have to drill 3 holes in each one to up in the fender and one at the bottom.

But... The most time-consuming part of this all was that I was determined to have PPF underneath each and every one of these splash guards!

I had some scraps left here from when my Infiniti was done which would work perfectly. The first thing you have to do however is tape off the fender with painters tape. Then you have mount the splash guard on top of the painters tape. Then you have to take a very fine tip felt pen and mark the tape around the splash guard. Then... You have to remove the tape from the vehicle, turn it over and put matching tape on the back side so it doesn't stick to everything it touches, then very carefully with the blade of your choice be that scissors, and exacto knife, or just a regular old razor blade... Proceed to cutting out the pattern template for the PPF. ;)

Once I had a single template for the front then it's just a matter of tracing it on the PPF, flipping it over and then tracing it the other direction. Cutting the PPF I found to work best with a pair of sharp scissors. Although you can cut it with a NEW sharp razor blade using a straightedge but when you're free handing it just don't quite get the edge you're looking for (that you can get much easier with scissors).

Enough of that let's get to the pictures shall we.

You can see it was quite a chore.

The one thing that I forgot to do originally was to leave the painters tape up on the fender AFTER I had made the template.

In other words.. You first have to tape up the fender and make the template then you have to remove that tape, and remount the splash guard.

Then you want to tape around the edges of the splash guard so that you know where to put your PPF and not have it stick up above the splash guard.

Once I figured that out go then it made aligning the PPF quite a bit easier. LOL

Without all the extra steps and making templates and cutting PPF and mounting PPF, and painting the holes.... and all of that jazz I would reckon you could likely mount all four of these in an 60 to 90 minutes (which includes removing the rear wheels). But when you have to start from scratch and do everything I did it takes the better part of a day and a half. LMAO

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DAY11 · July 29, 2016

Nice work. Looks good.

Not sure you should have had the front of the splash guards painted. I am worried it won't hold up. Is that how they are done by others and I am wrong?

Nightwalker · July 29, 2016

Looks really good can we get full view of truck with them on when you get a chance?

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Daryl Z71 · July 29, 2016

Looks like it was worth the effort though.

LTZDaddy · July 29, 2016

Nice work. Looks good.

Not sure you should have had the front of the splash guards painted. I am worried it won't hold up. Is that how they are done by others and I am wrong?

They come painted from the factory, in red, white, silver, black, blue, even pearl. But for some reason not in a couple colors, including siren red tintcoat. Go figure.

(These were bought in factory white, then painted.)

The shop manager was doing me a favor by painting them for $50, then once it was in week 3 he just did them for free. So a repaint won't exactly kill me.

If the front of them doesn't hold up that well I could mask them off and put some spray bed liner on them.

Looks really good can we get full view of truck with them on when you get a chance?

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Was running all over Atlanta yesterday, plenty dusty. I've got to get out today, once I get back and get all the dust off.... I'll try and get some shots this afternoon when the sun gets low.

Looks like it was worth the effort though.

Hope so! After spending an hour plus on the first one I was having my doubts. It's getting the templates cut that was a PITA.

Removing the black plastic at the bottom of the fenders wasn't that hard, but getting the little white push buttons out was frustrating to say the least. Broke half of one of them on the first one. I've NEVER seen anything so fragile in my life! Takes a couple very small flat blade screwdrivers in the hole on each side to nudge them out (on the front fenders at least). On the back fenders you can get behind them with some angled head long nose needle nose pliers.

Then of course getting the PPF in the right place so that it didn't stick out past the guards AND laid down without any bubbles was fun as well. LOL About the only reason I'd not want them on there without the guards is that they were freehand cut and I just didn't like the edges well enough to have them showing up on their own. ALTHOUGH.... my film wasn't the latest greatest thing on the market, (like ExPel Ultimate for instance). Just didn't want it sticking out.

I know when my wife and I were out the other night I was looking out over the hood, (talking about a PPF thread) and thinking what a FREAKING NIGHTMARE it'd be to try and PPF the entire hood of the beast. With all the body lines, raising up 3", going down 3", multiple compound angles, pfffffft.... I bet a PPF guy would want $500 to do the hood once he'd figured out how much time it'd take.

Have the cutouts sill here if anyone wants templates. Only takes 2, just flip it over L to R.

After installing them I was thinking it'd be a good idea even without the splash guards.

LTZDaddy · July 29, 2016

Well it's still awfully Dusty well, it's still awfully testy. It's just too freaking hard for me to watch it right now. LOL But here some shots of the whole thing sitting out in the sun.

I've got two shots I took from almost the same angle here and it's weird but it makes it look like the rear axle sitting in the truck crooked. Or perhaps it just has quadrasteer and I didn't know!

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Nightwalker · July 29, 2016

Oh man that looks sweet thanks for the full pic.

I want to do mine too,are you thinking about doing the little one in front of the back tire.

I want to do the front lower valance too.I think your truck has class with them painted.

I didn't know what you were talking about when you said rear looked off but after awhile I noticed it,park it straight on level road (gas station) and check it afar,then turn wheel little bit same spot and see if it still looks off.

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LTZDaddy · July 30, 2016

Good LORD at the grammar errors in my earlier reply. LOL

It wasn't supposed to double the first sentence. Then the second one was supposed to say it was too hot (not too hard) for me to wash it.

That's what I get for voice dictation on my phone in bright sunlight huh!?!?!!?? LOL

Nope, haven't thought of painting the little front ones. Being as they are pebble grain it'd be a different finish for sure. Maybe some spray tinted belligerent there would be a good choice? (As well as the inside pockets of the splash guards actually.) I was thinking at dinner I might take a couple more scraps of this PPF I have and do those front areas on the guards.... wouldn't hurt.

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