[Canadian Bear]

My son and I were exploring some trails, yesterday. The trails were dry except for a somewhat dried up puddle. There was no visible water, but, the dirt was still moist. Anyway, after we explored that trail, we went back onto the highway to come home. Well, as per normal, my BFG M/T tires did their self cleaning. Upon doing that, some of the chunks of mud managed to "slide" up the side of my driver's side door and leave some deep scratches. Not only that, but, my snow brush has made a mess of the clear coat. With various rock chips, etc., my Flame Red paint is being destroyed.

Maybe it is because I have a slight form of OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), or, because my JK is my first new (off the lot) vehicle, or, because I like to have a vehicle that I can explore trails with and still have a decent paint job to appreciate. Actually, it is all of that,

.

Yeah, I know, I am sure I am going to get responses like "scratches add character", or, "what is the point of owning a Jeep if you are worried about scratches?", and so on. I take pride in my Jeep, both as a daily driver and as a capable trail explorer. Therefore, I came across a suitable means to not have to worry about clear coat and paint, for my Jeep. This Jeep's exterior is what I am looking for. I found this in the write up section (how I would make flat fenders);

As you can see, it isn't anything flashy, no clear coat required and minimal maintenance (waxing, etc.). If she gets muddy, just spray her down, and move on. Not only that, but, that JK is awesome!

My question: Have any of you done this to your Jeep? If so, do you have a write up about what steps were needed and a rough financial estimate.

 

[tekm4]

DUDE!! that is the 1st Black ops jk that I have seen looks sweet. My wife might kiil me if I did that to mine. but it looks good load a couple of machine guns off the roofs youl be in buisness:mr-t:

 

[BLACK JK]

here is a interesting read....

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=700961&highlight=line+x+paint+job

 

[NorthGAX]

I would think that this would add significant weight to the Jeep. Looks cool though.

 

[07_Rubi]

Couldn't read further then to the 2. page....bunch of Childish Retards on that forum!
I like the Line-X Idea...just make sure you get the Line-X Extra or Extreme or whatever they call it - it's a little more expensive but it won't bleach out like regular Line-X. I have that Line-X Extra on my Truck Bed for over a year now and it still looks like new, on our old truck we had the regular Line-X and it was bleached out after a couple of months in the Texas sun.
BTW; they do Colors too...

 

[Duffy]

Brilliant!

Love this idea. Just have to see which product would be best for the use. I, personally, prefer function over looks. If something functions well, it looks good to me.

Now I don't have to worry about what to do when the rest of my paint comes off. Still have a little Flame Red in between the scratches, so I have some time.

Living on the N.E. coast is just brutal with salt. Sand, salt water all summer, and for winter we cover every road surface with the same.

I think I'm having one of those " Why didn't I think of that" moments.

Watching, waiting, studying,

Duffy

 

[Guest]

The inevitable line-X chips and rock rash will end up looking just as ugly after a while IMHO. I’ve seen people with line-x’ed rock rails and fenders for example, and it’s almost impossible to touch them up after wheeling and make them look good vs. a flat rattle can type finish.

Personally I give my paint a good coat of wax fairly regularly (4 times a year) and am starting to add body armor and protection wherever I can.

At the end of the day, if you wheel your Jeep it will never look like it came out of the showroom. I take pride in my Jeep’s look, and keep it clean, but the best I can expect is the “it looks good from about 10 feet away, look”.

 

[RotorHead]

x2, what he said. Besides, cleaning would be harder than with paint. You would have to use a scrub brush to get everything because of the rough texture. I have a friend that has his bumpers and rock rails line-x'd and besides the fact that there are chunks missing from contact, he said they are a real pain to clean.

 

[07_Rubi]

x2, what he said. Besides, cleaning would be harder than with paint. You would have to use a scrub brush to get everything because of the rough texture. I have a friend that has his bumpers and rock rails line-x'd and besides the fact that there are chunks missing from contact, he said they are a real pain to clean.

I use my truck bed hard and have not been able to scratch it. I truly belief that using the REAL Line-X Xtra is key (some shops use cheaper liner and sell it as line-x). If you do get it scratched just take it to a Line X Dealer and have them touch it up for free...it's got lifetime nationwide warranty. I don't work for line-x - just am a very satisfied customer.

 

[Guest]

I use my truck bed hard and have not been able to scratch it. I truly belief that using the REAL Line-X Xtra is key (some shops use cheaper liner and sell it as line-x). If you do get it scratched just take it to a Line X Dealer and have them touch it up for free...it's got lifetime nationwide warranty. I don't work for line-x - just am a very satisfied customer.

From what I’ve seen contact with a rock will take line-x off in “clumps” vs. deep scratches on a flat surface. When you rattle can a deep scratch it looks better than touching up line-x.

Either way if you wheel your Jeep it’s going to get scratched up and dented. No way around that unless your only run fire roads or something.

 

[dmhines]

Cool. I have seen a local Toyota FJ Cruiser done in two tone RED/WHITE Line-X to match the factory paint scheme.

 

[Canadian Bear]

Thank you for your responses. I am going to try to sort out a way to detail (wax, clay bar, etc.) my Jeep, and see how that works out. Honestly, I don't want to get rid of my Flame Red paint. Line X will be my last resort.

 

[ryland]

I've always thought that when my jk's paint is basicly done I'd just head over to the army surplus store and get a few gallons of the flat green military paint. I think it looks good and its flat so who cares if it gets banged up.

 

[pastorsteve]

I have a feeling that not only would it add weight (not like we don't already do that) but it would also decrease your resale value considerably. It would also make fixing a dent from an accident difficult. If we were talking about my '97 (edited) TJ (no wait that's near mint) or some beater, I would do it in a second but not on a new JK.

 

[09JK]

I have a feeling that not only would it add weight (not like we don't already do that) but it would also decrease your resale value considerably. It would also make fixing a dent from an accident difficult. If we were talking about my '95 TJ (no wait that's near mint) or some beater, I would do it in a second but not on a new JK.

95 TJ ???