Gravel roads & protecting the front of the Oliver

[topgun2]

Pete and Oscar,

 

Any reply to the email you sent yet?

 

Bill

[Bruce W]

Did anyone work out a good solution for this?

[topgun2]

No solution from me - but - I did purchase several cans of ArmorAll Custom Shield coating (clear) to try on my trip out West this summer.  The package says that it is easy to apply and remove and lasts for up to 3 months.  Basically it is simply a film that is sprayed on and then after the trip you peel it off.  We'll see and I'll report back here after (or during) the trip.

 

Bill

[Kirkman]

Some of the people over at Fiberglass RV site use plastic dip. They say when you want to remove it you just peel it off.

 

https://plastidip.com/

[Steph and Dud B]

We have semi-rigid mud flaps on our dually, right behind the rear tires,approximately 9” above the ground. Adequate protection for the Ollie?

[John E Davies]

34 minutes ago, Steph and Dud B said:

We have semi-rigid mud flaps on our dually, right behind the rear tires,approximately 9” above the ground. Adequate protection for the Ollie?

Define “adequate” please, are you hoping to drive on gravel roads and freshly chip sealed highways? If yes, then no they are not adequate by themselves, but if they are combined with a second set at the rear bumper, such as Rock Tamers, then they will be pretty good. The second set needs to come way out, to take care of those outer tires. And they will be a trip hazard and knee knockers, unfortunately, especially in the dark. You might want to add some reflective tape to the support arms.

John Davies

Spokane WA

[topgun2]

1 hour ago, Steph and Dud B said:

We have semi-rigid mud flaps on our dually, right behind the rear tires,approximately 9” above the ground. Adequate protection for the Ollie?

If you stay on paved roads or go VERY slow on gravel roads then you will be OK.  Otherwise - do what JD says above - Rock Tamers or the like.

Bill

[SeaDawg]

We've used rocktamers for over a decade. We still go slow, on gravel.

[Geronimo John]

On 2/26/2015 at 5:40 AM, SeaDawg said:

3M9000 Paint Defender

Looks interesting, but it is designed for only one year.  Then requires removal and recoat.

[katanapilot]

Has anyone used the 3M Paint Defender spray?  We were considering Rhino or Line-X for the front of the Ollie for our Alaska trip, but this (coupled with a Rock Tamer) might be just the ticket.

[SeaDawg]

2 hours ago, Geronimo John said:

Looks interesting, but it is designed for only one year.  Then requires removal and recoat.

That is a post from 6, almost 7, years ago. 

No, we never tried it. (3m 9000 paint defender.) I actually thought it was discontinued. 

[topgun2]

14 hours ago, katanapilot said:

Has anyone used the 3M Paint Defender spray? 

I'm not sure how this product compares to other spray on paint protection films that have been out on the market.  Several years ago I used one of these sprays for two years in a row.  To apply I had to mask off the areas where I didn't want the spray, apply several coats, quickly take off the masking (or else the edges would be ragged).  Cheaper than having the paint protection film applied - not counting my time involved with the spray product.  But, this spray stuff had to be removed at the end of the season - harder to do than I had thought it would be.  The main body of the sprayed areas was fairly easy but there were areas that took a bunch of time and polish to get off.

Bottom line is - I had the film applied and have not looked back.  It has lasted now for three years - yes, it does have a few nicks in it but nothing major and I'm fairly certain that given the roads I drive every summer there would be far greater damage to my Ollie.  However, if I were planning a trip to Alaska I'd use something much heavier - like yoga mats and the like.

Bill

[katanapilot]

Thanks for the information on the spray on film.  We may go with the Rhino/Line-X.

[topgun2]

I used to have a picture of an Ollie that had the front sprayed with Rhino in black.  I thought that it would be ugly but was surprised that it really didn't look too bad.  I've been told that this Ollie is/was owned by one of the Olivers but I've never confirmed that.  Perhaps Jason in Service might be able to tell you for sure?  Certainly a picture would help you decide if that is really the way you want to go.

Bill

[Mike and Carol]

2 hours ago, topgun2 said:

I used to have a picture of an Ollie that had the front sprayed with Rhino in black.  I thought that it would be ugly but was surprised that it really didn't look too bad.  I've been told that this Ollie is/was owned by one of the Olivers but I've never confirmed that.  Perhaps Jason in Service might be able to tell you for sure?  Certainly a picture would help you decide if that is really the way you want to go.

Bill

An Oliver employee pulled that trailer to a rally a few years ago (before rally’s were moved to Alabama).  The front was black, looked like a spray on bed liner and didn’t look bad.  I’m sure it’s good protection.  Mike

[katanapilot]

You can have the spray on liners color coded and my intention would be to have it match the gelcoat white.

[SeaDawg]

Bugeye driver had the front of his trailer color code matched, and vortex coating. It looks great.