Kam 1 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Anyone have issues with their rocker panels chipping on the Spark? The last car I owned had so many chips. It seemed like the second I would hit a dirt road the chips would appear. Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 I haven't been on dirt or gravel roads yet, but I expect this to be a big problem. Might be worth some clear protection spray, it's similar to pick up bed liner without the aggregate. There are some adhesive films to do the same but I can't put a finger on them right now, probably made by 3M. Link to post Share on other sites
Lazerface 24 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 Yeah there's (mostly) clear films that you can use to give a little more protection http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=746765&productVariantId=1641791&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=50011837&rid=40&channel=GoogleBaseUSA&mr:trackingCode=5A96A336-0592-DF11-BDAB-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=19726065071&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=43606418471&gclid=CJygrJ2g3LUCFag7MgodpAoAPA Stuff like that and what Greg Said, 3M clear bra, etc. Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted March 1, 2013 Share Posted March 1, 2013 I might need to track some of this stuff down, looks interesting. Link to post Share on other sites
dbnspark 7 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I had a clear bra on my RSX and my Cooper S, expensive but was worth it, this time around didn't have the money to put on the car. Link to post Share on other sites
Riverspark 28 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Yeah there's (mostly) clear films that you can use to give a little more protectionhttp://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=746765&productVariantId=1641791&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=50011837&rid=40&channel=GoogleBaseUSA&mr:trackingCode=5A96A336-0592-DF11-BDAB-002219318F67&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=19726065071&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=43606418471&gclid=CJygrJ2g3LUCFag7MgodpAoAPA Stuff like that and what Greg Said, 3M clear bra, etc. There is a place near Toronto that does this and I looked into it for my smart (decided against it because the car was used) and may look into it for the Spark and get a quote Link to post Share on other sites
djp 18 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Um... Didn't all the sparks come with a clear protective layer on the rocker panel? Mine has it... ? Link to post Share on other sites
Lazerface 24 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Got pics of what you're talking about djp? I think I may know what you're talking about. There is a clear plastic/vinyl on parts of the car from transport/shipping, but its not permanent by any means. Link to post Share on other sites
djp 18 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Can't take pics right now, but whatever it is its on there really well. I was told its a chip guard. Clear, almost rubbery feeling. I assumed they all had them but haven't checked it any others fit that particular thing. Link to post Share on other sites
djp 18 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 Sorry for the typos, I'm on my cell Link to post Share on other sites
djp 18 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I read up on the clear coat bra type thing. A bunch of reviews said it discolored the paint, peeled or was just a waste of money. Anyone actually had one? Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 On my rockers there is a soft rubbery crinkle paint that is used to prevent chips because the objects are supposed to bounce off the material. It does work well but the color paint eventually chips and you are left with white spots where the soft stuff is attached. Hopefully they mix the color all the way through on these cars. Link to post Share on other sites
djp 18 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 That's what I have. Dealership says that is to prevent chip. So far it has worked. I assume not all sparks have them or theirs was taken off? Link to post Share on other sites
bluer101 241 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 That is called chip guard in the autobody business. It gets applied before the base coat. The chip guard comes in an aerosol and sprays clear. We used it a lot at the shop I used to work for. djp 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 The last time I really looked at it was on an old VW, theirs was white. SO far what I saw when I was changing tires back to summer was that I didn't have any chips in it yet. Link to post Share on other sites
jibb3r 29 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I assume not all sparks have them or theirs was taken off? Mine has it, from the front wheel well to the rear wheel well. Never noticed it before I read this post, it almost looks like the spray in truck bed liner stuff... :shades: Link to post Share on other sites
Riverspark 28 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 (edited) That's what I have. Dealership says that is to prevent chip. So far it has worked. I assume not all sparks have them or theirs was taken off? I wonder if it's just on the LS and 1LT, because I don't remember my 2LT having it (maybe because of the body kit the 2LT has?). Edited April 8, 2013 by Riverspark Link to post Share on other sites
bluer101 241 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I wonder if it's just on the LS and 1LT, because I don't remember my 2LT having it (maybe because of the body kit the 2LT has?). I think your right, it because yours has the body kit. Speaking of body kit, how is it attached to the bottom of the car? Link to post Share on other sites
Riverspark 28 Posted April 8, 2013 Share Posted April 8, 2013 I think your right, it because yours has the body kit. Speaking of body kit, how is it attached to the bottom of the car? Unless someone has a picture handy to post, I will try and take a decent one tomorrow...because I don't even know how they are attached to the vehicle Link to post Share on other sites
Riverspark 28 Posted April 9, 2013 Share Posted April 9, 2013 So I snapped a few after I got home early from work, hopefully these help show how the side skirts are attached (Do excuse the mud, haven't washed Bart the Spark since the weekend) bluer101 1 Link to post Share on other sites
bluer101 241 Posted April 11, 2013 Share Posted April 11, 2013 That is perfect thank you so much. I see now that separate holes are needed. In your second picture you can see the rubber grommets. I though since those are caps on non LT2's I thought those got removed and were attached there. So if any factory kit is released you would have to drill into the rocker. I hope they design something to use the existing holes. Thank you very much. Link to post Share on other sites
Stacie Bezon 0 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I bought a new 2013 Spark it is red, when a stone hits it the spot turns white.it looks terrible, so I called Gm and they got ahold of the dealership, to see if they could help me they said tee is nothing that can be done. So I called Gm again and I was told there is nothing they can do, I think it sucks I don't want white spots on my car. They want us to buy but don't want to fix the problems with the Spark.I'm not maDE of money I don't have the extra cash to have it painted.I will never buy chevy again.I realize it isn't a twenty thousand dollar car but I work hard to make the payment, I deserve to be treated a little better. Link to post Share on other sites
njresler 14 Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 I paid $15 for some touch up paint from dealer Link to post Share on other sites
Retired old Gearhead 201 Posted November 4, 2014 Share Posted November 4, 2014 I bought a new 2013 Spark it is red, when a stone hits it the spot turns white.it looks terrible, so I called Gm and they got ahold of the dealership, to see if they could help me they said tee is nothing that can be done. So I called Gm again and I was told there is nothing they can do, I think it sucks I don't want white spots on my car. They want us to buy but don't want to fix the problems with the Spark.I'm not maDE of money I don't have the extra cash to have it painted.I will never buy chevy again.I realize it isn't a twenty thousand dollar car but I work hard to make the payment, I deserve to be treated a little better. The Spark has glossy white primer paint because they wanted the applied colors to be bright as the Spark is aimed at the younger market. Usual automotive manufacturing process is to apply a matte grey primer. The matte grey is a better base for the final paint due to the matte surface being a good bond to the final paint. Unfortunately some car models that have used the gloss white primer to accent the final paint color have issues with the final paint adhering to the primer and chip more easily exposing the white primer. That's my take on that issue. Link to post Share on other sites
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