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Splash guards for front of rear tires

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by CSuirp, Jan 22, 2019.

  1. CSuirp

    CSuirp Active Member

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    Hey all. Got a 2014 prius c
    I noticed while washing the car that there is a significant pocket on both sides of the car right in front of the back wheels. Debri and other junk gets stuck in there, including snow salt which is not desirable to leave in there. I wanted to know if there was any guard on market that i can cover that area up securely so no water or debri gets lodged in there again. My concern is premature rust happening in those pockets where debri and salt lay right on the metal surface for extended amounts of time. Any items on market for these areas??? Thanks priuspeeps.
     
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  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I can't say I know of a specific trim part for that, but here are a few thoughts:

    While these cars are not popular in the USA, they're all the rage in Japan. They make every accessory you can imagine. Expand your search for "Aqua" (name of this model in other countries) or "NHP10" (body/model code number) and you're likely to get more hits.

    That shape is for aerodynamics. Change that shape much and your MPG disappears. Personally I'd rather get 15 years of cheap operation followed by a hole in the fender. I'm not going to cancel out the one thing this car is fantastic at (thrifty consumption) to take a shot at something no car is truly good at. (corrosion resistance past 15 years)

    A good compromise might be a film applique on that area. That doesn't change the shape/MPG, but keeps the pebbles off the paint. Likely to need replacement every 2-3 years.

    Good luck!
     
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  3. CSuirp

    CSuirp Active Member

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    Ok, Thanks Leadfoot for the reply. Do you suggest any car "film applique" that is of good quality? (ps...this applique would not be on the outside of the car paint but inside the small catch basin that is at the front of the back wheel where no one will ever really see it). Thanks!
     
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I don't have a specific recommendation, I've never used any such on any of my cars.

    I did take a look at our own car a few days ago, and there was a fair buildup of salt there. My own plan is to keep it well waxed and remember to wipe it clean every week or so.
     
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  5. CSuirp

    CSuirp Active Member

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    Yeah...i just hosed mine to get the salt and grim out. I'm actually going to try something that a friend suggested. I'm going to buy some black rubber paint (flexseal) and paint the inside. It should give it a nice coating (like undercoating) to make a barrier for salt and anything else that would erode the exposed metal. Either paint or possibly flexible tar on a roll to press fit in there. Im thinking the paint will cover up the 2 screws and bolt and may cause difficulty getting them off (if ever need be)....but i dont thing that's a make or break for the paint. I'll let u know how it goes.
     
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Best to wait until it is hot and dry for undercoating application. Too often it just seals the moisture in. I learned that one the hard way. Good luck!
     
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  7. CSuirp

    CSuirp Active Member

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    ah, good point...but i do need to get the coating on there before the next salt pouring since i don't readily have access to hose cleaning throughout the winter. I'll ensure it's dried out and cleaned out before applying.
     
  8. Prius7Prime

    Prius7Prime Junior Member

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    Hey OP, I don't see any OEM Toyota splash guards for your model. I've looked on the accessories page on Toyota Parts Prime - Genuine OEM Toyota Parts Online with your model but it looks like Toyota does not offer any. There may be an aftermarket splash guards but I don't have any leads for you.
     
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  9. CSuirp

    CSuirp Active Member

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    Thanks for looking into those splash guards Prius7!! Appreciate it. Yeah...I don't think they made them for that area of the car. I think the best solution is the film coating that Leadfoot thought of. That way it doesn't effect any aerodynamics (I don't think splash guards would really matter with that in those areas...but who knows). I ordered some clear rubber all-weather coating/sealant and will slap it all over those 2 areas. I was going to get the black coating but didn't want to cover over the 2 screws making them non-visible if ever needing access too. I'll probably put 2 layers on which should seal the area off from salt/water to prevent premature rusting. I'll put a follow up post here to let ya's know how it turned out.
     
  10. CSuirp

    CSuirp Active Member

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    Update:
    Hey guys. Just wanted to let yas know how the sealant worked out. It seems to have worked ok. I used Leak Seal clear which can be found on amazon or hardware store. It's like a gluey texture...applies on thick. I used a standard paint brush and cleaned the areas out best i could then applied the sealant. Attached are the pics. I applied it in around 35 degrees F in dry weather so ya...i wasnt about to put a second coat on during the night. Lol. Looks like it dried nicely. Hopefully will help prevent rusting around those bolts and screws. I actually noticed very tiny paint bubbles forming around one of the bolts which tells me there is potential rust starting...so u may want to check those areas on ur Prius too. Hope this helps and thanks for all the feedback and suggestions.
     

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  11. frenzee

    frenzee Member

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    Seems to me Toyota didn't properly finish that area. At a minimum, they should have put in a drain hole and a rubber cover or something. I always pressure wash that spot when I'm washing the car. Did you consider PlastiDip-ing it (or foam sealant)? I have a bunch of cans of the stuff left over from a 'phase' I was going through a few years back, lol!...back, white, neon green, neon orange. Hey, what good is life is you don't experiment, right?
     
  12. CSuirp

    CSuirp Active Member

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    Hey frenzee. Yeah...i think these spots were the responsibility of the same toyota folks who handled the lovely Entune system, which explains the wonder job they did (laying on the sarcasm heavily). I didnt think of plastidip but im sure that would be much more costly than $15 (amount of lleakseal, Lol). I didnt want to use a foam because it will expand and fill the area up and there are issues i have with that, such as:
    1) i wouldnt see the bolts anymore in case they needed access
    2) the foam expansion may effect the aerodynamics of the car, even in those tiny little areas...who knows how aerodynamically sensitive they made this car). Putting the sealant i used doesnt mess with the shape of anything in there.
    3) the foam (from can spray) is a seriously messy thing and if i get any on the car paint by accident...not good.
    4) the foam could cover the drain holes...not good (Btw...there is a drain hole in those areas. They are under the plastic mud flap. Stick ur finger in there and u will feel them). I guess u can stick a pencil in the hole and then foam, but i still wouldn't use that method for the other reasons above. Thanks for ur feedback!
     
  13. frenzee

    frenzee Member

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    Ah...I see. No, I'll take your word for it, CSuirp, that there is a drain hole in there somewhere. But I have too much respect for my cute little C to put my finger anywhere remotely inappropriate, lol!

    Although when I do a wash -- off topic, I know -- and the paint is encrusted with dirt. e.g. after a rainstorm, especially on the doors and vertical surfaces, after soaking and doing a first-pass power wash, I find that a lot of dirt will just not come off. If you run your finger on any of those areas, you'll clearly see it. At that point, I don't go over it with a soapy sponge or wash cloth, because I believe too much dirt will get trapped in the sponge and it will leave swirl marks in the clearcoat. What I do is I wipe down the entire car with my bare hand, then power wash again, and THEN I use a bucket and sponge. I've been using this method for the C, as well as on my previous cars, and for the C, at 105k+ and 6 years old, the paint is still showroom new and there are almost zero swirl marks. This process is also a bit of a "bonding experience", whereby you get familiar with every nook-n-cranny and curve of your car. Thought I mention it, in case you or anyone was interested.
     
  14. CSuirp

    CSuirp Active Member

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    ROFL!!! Ya...but if she's a cutie...well... ;P

    Regarding washing the car...I'll try giving my cutie a "hand job" in the spring like u suggested...then wash it with sponge and see how it goes. ;)

    Tx for the feedback.
     
  15. Brandon Most

    Brandon Most Member

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    For all of you talking about spray on sealants, I grew up in Nebraska and the worst rusted cars I ever owned were "protected with undercoating". It works great if your coverage is 110%. The problem is most of the time it isn't. If it's only 99.9% that salt water will still get in and now its trapped under the protective coating. Personally I would use something like Chemical Guys Jet Seal and wash often.
     
  16. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Undercoating is sometimes used my manufacturers in certain parts of the car to reduce interior noise and not necessarily for rust.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'm finding boiled linseed oil holding up pretty good, on bare suspension bolts, suspension framing pieces. @tvpierce suggested it.
     
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  18. Brandon Most

    Brandon Most Member

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    Ziebart | Home
    Zeibart Rust Protection is usually what the plastic plugs that were inserted said.
     
  19. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Yea, you mean the ones with the rust around them.:D
     
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  20. Brandon Most

    Brandon Most Member

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    Exactly! :)
     
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