PAKirk

So I ordered the just released GCA splashguards from Gene, and they arrived today. Installation is very easy, though the rears do require that the rear tires/wheels be removed, since you need to drill 4 holes into the plastic liner on each side in order to install the push pins. Because of that, I only had time to install the fronts so far (I have the world's worst drill here, and my jack and the rest of my tools are at my mom's house, since she has a much larger garage than I do). I should have time to do the rears tomorrow after work.

So, on to the install. First, here's what you get (2 front guards, 2 rear, 8 push pins, instructions, and I got 2 alcohol wipes). You can see the red strip covering the adhesive tape on each splash guard:


Installing the fronts is a piece of cake. Simply turn the wheel all the way to the left to do the driver's side, all the way to the right to do the passenger side. Use a flat head screwdriver to pry out the existing push pins (you'll replace them with the new ones). The new push pins are a little more substantial than the ones you're replacing; here's a pic (new on left, old on right) :



Just clean the car up a bit (I just used water and a sponge), then dry it off and use the alcohol wipe to prep the surface for the adhesive tape. If you've never used an alcohol wipe before, use it immediately after opening the package, because they dry out quick. So, have the fenders washed up and ready to wipe down. Before shot (yes, it's dirty; I drive instead of clean like a nut ) :





Put the new push pins in the guards, then push them half way into the holes in the fender to keep the guard in place. Then, just pull the film off of the tape, push the guard and pins in place (starting at the bottom and working up), and go to the top. Repeat for each side. When you're done, they'll look like this:






I'll have the rears done tomorrow, and have those pics up as well. The rears call for a 21/64 drill bit, which I don't have, so I'll use a 5/16, since it's only 1/64 difference, and I can always enlarge the hole a tad if I need to. Quite simple, and highly recommended, based on asthetics. I like these much more than other guards out there; they're very well integrated, and not as huge as the Z06 guards. I think they'll be very functional while being minimally invasive, visually. It's nice to have a factory part that you don't have to hack up to fit!

Enjoy, and feel free to contribute your own pics to this post. Let's keep it centered on the new GCA splash guards, though; there are plenty of posts out there showing pics of competitor's guards.

Thanks!

dvilin

They look good but installation for us non mechanical types could be a bit of a challenge.

ZPirate

Cool! I have been waiting to see what they look like, how to install them and what they look like installed.

My first impression is that the fronts are really small. I am used to my Apsis front splash guards I guess. The fronts appear to install just like the Apsis ones do though.

I can't wait to see picutres of the rears installed. Am I correct that the holes you have to drill in the rear are in the fender liner and not the underside of the body panel?

mracer

Thanks for the writeup/pix!
Please post back with your install/pic's of the rear.
Mike

PAKirk

Correct. Fender liner. Just like the front ones, except you're putting them there instead of the factory

PAKirk

If you can take a wheel off, you can put these on. Other than jacking up the car from the rear, there's nothing to it.

C-INRED

Do they stop even with the rocker or extend below it?

If they don't extend below it will they protect the rocker from getting blasted?

ZPirate

Thanks. After seeing the pictures Gene Culley posted of the rear splash guards on another thread I can see how they fit around the wheel opening in the body panel and fit into the inner wheel liner.

PAKirk

They're even with it, front and rear. You'll see that there's really not much area under there to protect, anyway, since the body panel stops right after it wraps under the car. To me, trying to protect the underside of the car is a lost cause anyway.

I took some snaps of the front, rear (held in place), and how the rear should look from the side.

NYC6

Thanks for the fast install post! We all appreciate it.
Its hard to tell from the pics, being a black car and black guards. Is there any gaps between the car body and the guard itself? It looks pretty tight but I cant tell exactly.

AORoads

NYC, best that I can see from hand fitting, there won't be gaps. Proof will be in how well one installs them, like the others, too.

*FAÇADE*

Thanks!

spinalator

Can't wait to get mine. I ordered them from Gene too.

St.Char

Thanks for the great pics and DIY...mine are coming soon

PAKirk

None. If you look at the first pic, you'll see the adhesive runs the length of the contact area, so there are no gaps. These adhere perfectly to the car and look factory... because they are! Even in the pics where I'm holding the rear guard against the body, you can see that there will be no gaps.

peter pan

Very nice and detailed install and they do look good

gbgary

very nice!

lowwhite6

Looks great very nice.I would like to see a set painted to match the car.By far the best looking yet.It is nice to find a mod that really fits the C6.

danl72

Cool.

LMB 4 ME