looking for some thoughts on rock guard?

[WTL]

So I'm not even sure what this is called - see pic - but over the years they have become stained and I'm wondering what exactly they do, if they can be removed easily and how and if so will there be a noticeable difference in the underlying paint or should i just replace them with new ones?

 

thanks for any help / thoughts!!

[RFM]

These things must protect the bodywork from stone chips, they discolor after a few years, especially on a white background. Replacing them is the best option, removal is not that easy because parts of the paint can be torn off especially if that spot has ever been repainted after repair, carefully using a hair dryer to warm up the sticker first. Caution is adviced here.

[Loren]

997 504 825 04 Left Stone Guard Film -- US MSRP $49.68

997 504 826 04 Right Stone Guard Film -- US MSRP $49.68

[WTL]

Thanks for the part numbers and the tips!  I used a heat gun and while they did not come off in 1 piece, each one tore about 3-4 times.  Each side had about 1/4 the size of a pencil eraser head worth of glue stuck on the car - coincidently where I started the pull on each one.  Cleaned the area up with alcohol/water mixture.  The whole process took 1/2hr.

 

[Loren]

Did they come with any alignment instructions?

[j_beede]

Nice. My Carrera White 997 needs new rock guards too--they're in great shape but yellowed. Thanks for sharing your experience so far. Will you replace the guards?

...j

[WTL]

Loren & j - I haven't decided to replace so I don't know re: instructions. Have read online to use a mixture of water with a smidge of dish soap sprayed on the back of the new overlay and get it in place then squeegee the water out. If I do replace, maybe a colored one vs clear?? Mine yellowed pretty quickly and have been living with it for years now. Can't get over how much better the car looks without them. Thinking about A new set of Fuchs wheels too but I'm trying to figure out the best way to see how the car will look with them.

[j_beede]

Since you now know how to remove them... maybe you should consider a fresh set of clear guards asap to preserve those immaculate white rear fenders?

[WTL]

Kinda torn - looks so good w/o them.

[Jager]

I just replaced the passenger side rock guard. There were no alignment instructions but I started from the wheel side (aligned with the fender seam) and layed it forward and downward. You will neeed a spray bottle with 1 part alcohol to 3 parts water. Clean the surface with the alcohol mixture then spray the surface, your fingers, then the sticky side of the new guard with the alcohol mixture. Use a small plastic squeegee to push the moisture and air out from under the rock guard as you apply it to the fender.