[stinkycoon]

Hey guys!

Well, I am getting way too many rock chips these days, and need to protect the rocker panels a little more. I've thought about Line-X below the "character line" but I am not sure if I want to shell out that much dough. Does anyone make the aluminum or steel plate covers for tacomas that they have for jeeps? Something like that would be perfect... The lower front of my rear fender flares are all chewed up from rocks too.

Otherwise I could go with Line-X, but wonder about getting the fenders back on after they spray - probably easier said than done. BTW, what's the best adhesive for puting the gaskets back in?

Thanks a lot fellas.

 

[shovelracer]

I used the spray on bed liner. Like 5 bucks a can. The only problem is you have to really do a good job preping the metal or it just peels in a month or two. Over time it probably won't last as long, but it's cheap. A can does one side. If I did it again I would pay a shop to do the Line-x. Only if they warrantied it for a reasonable amount of time. To get the flares to meet up you probably should leave them on and just mask around them. You shouldn't have the chipping behind them. There are cheesy plastic panels that look like diamond plate out there, but I doubt you could get them to mold to all the contours around the bottom. A hefty application of some black paint would look OK and you can always touch it up.

 

[TacoManny98]

I used the spray can liner to do my panels. I've had them spayed for about 2 yrs now and haven't had any problems I did sand the paint down real good before i spray it i'm happy with it. i don't have the pic hosted anywhere but if you want a pic of what it looks like email me rmanuel(at)contechnet(dot)com

 

[stinkycoon]

Thanks for the reply.

Well, I just called the local Line-X dealer and he is quoting me $160-$170 a side ($320-$350 total). That's quite a bit, but it would definitely look pretty good. If there is a decent warranty I may go that route. I know the stuff is holding up great in the bed. He said that he could probably tape off the fender flares too, so that eliminates that hassle. Now the question is, how high up? The higher the better I guess, unless it looks funny...

 

[stinkycoon]

What spray liner did you guys use? What did you do around the flares and gaskets?

Thanks again.

 

[shovelracer]

I used the Duplicolor stuff. You can get it at Wally world or any auto store. With a little work you can tape anything so don't take no for an answer. I went about 3" above the bottom of the door. from flare to flare and inside also because thats were I was getting wear from getting in and out. I have seen it all the way to the middle of the door but I like mine better. Just prep it good and do it on a warm day 70-80degrees. Let it dry for a day before you peel the tape because it's more rubber than paint.

 

[shovelracer]

Here is a pic

 

[stinkycoon]

Cool. Sounds like a project I need to do. I just went outside to take a look at all of my rock chips. It's like trying to count sand grains at the beach! It looks like I have them all the way up the character line too, so I guess that would be a good place to stop... Above that I can't find any rock chips (only multitudes of desert pinstriping, LOL).

 

[stinkycoon]

Well, I decided to bite the bullet and shell out the money for the Line-X. Better now than when all the bare metal starts to rust. I got quoted $160 a side. I plan to go to the top of the character line, and also remove the rear bumper to get it all the way around the back side of the rear panels (and about an inch around the lower part of the taillights). The dealer has done rockers before and says that they have come out real good. The truck goes in on Thursday...

 

[samsc03]

Hey I got mine done the exact way and they were able to do it without removing the bumper. Kinda sounded like you were gonna take it off yourself so I would save ya some wrenchin. The sprayers are pretty maneuverable and they did behind the bumper corners just as good as the rest of the line-x. The flares were also no problem for the spray guys. I got the bottom of the tailgate done too about 1.5 inches up from the bottom for when standing on the bumper the gate is protected from any small kicks it may receive.

Sam

 

[stinkycoon]

Sam,

So they did it with the rear bumper still on? That would save some work getting the bumper and hitch off - there is probably only about and inch between the bumper and the rear of the panel though. I am surprised that they could in somewhere that tight. BTW, how does it look up against the gaskets? Did they cover them and all or just go up to them. Also, does the Line-X on the lower part of the tailgate interfere with the bumper (rest on it) with the tailgate down?

Sorry for all the questions, but the taco will be in there hands in 24 hours...

Thanks again!

---Phil

 

[samsc03]

Yep, rear bumper stayed on while they sprayed. Let me tell ya the truck was masked off extremely well and that was how it allowed it to be sprayed behind there without problems like overspray or it being uneven. The flares were loosened so that the masking was laid behind them so that the line-x comes all the way to where the gasgets is and leaves no paint that is visible left unsprayed. the flares were then retightened and that was that. Have not had any issues with the strip on the gate so far as it works for two purposes,then one I said before and the problem of the paint chipping from the gate when the bumper has moved over time up to contact it. The truck was left overnight so that they could get the plan before they left work and work all day the next and was well worth it. Very expensive though. So what color is your truck? I really like the dark green paint with black line-x I have on mine.

Sam

 

[stinkycoon]

Thanks again Sam, sounds like it turned out great. Got any pics? I'd love to print something out and bring it to them tomorrow.

Oh, and my truck is a regcab Lunar Mist. I don't have any chrome ("black" stock bumpers), or color-keyed mirrors (black), so I think that the black from the Line-X will look pretty good on the truck. I also have a lot of black with dark tinted windows on the camper shell and a yakima rack on top...

 

[samsc03]

Sorry no pics. I have already seen one here in my area that is making me think he jacked my idea but then again everything is somebody elses stolen/reused idea. I told this one guy to color in a picture of his truck then you will be able to show yourself and the guys who are doing it what you expect to see and not see. You could try that if you have a picture you do not mind drawing on with marker. That is how I designed my line-x protection.

Sam

Sam

 

[stinkycoon]

Thanks again man, maybe I'll do that. BTW, don't worry about seeing another Line-X truck in Virginia Beach anytime soon - I am out in AZ.