Cladding

[Mile High VX]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-IS...611205e2#v4-38

Looks like they used the black and not the dark grey which is a better match from what I've heard.

[vt_maverick]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-IS...611205e2#v4-38

Looks like they used the black and not the dark grey which is a better match from what I've heard.

That is freaking awesome. I wonder how much it would cost to do that? I assume since the "naked" VX pics look like they were taken in his garage that he probably did it himself though.

[VX KAT]

That is freaking awesome. I wonder how much it would cost to do that? I assume since the "naked" VX pics look like they were taken in his garage that he probably did it himself though.

I thought so too, so I wrote to the seller: Here's response:

Dear purple.kat1,

The plastic coating is called Gator Back, and it is a GM product, made for the vinyl bits of their Avalanche
trucks. I can't remember exactly where to buy it, I bought it both from their site and once from eBay, but if
you do a Google search is is easy enough to find. The color of your current panelling isn't an issue, as this is
like a paint in that it coats and covers the surface entirely, but it is actually and aerosol form of plastic, so
once it is sprayed a chemical process begins and as it cures it actually bonds with the plastic on your
cladding and becomes part of it, resurfacing the old with a new layer of plastic. It is also more fade resistant
that the stock material. I keep an extra can of it on hand to use in case anyone scratches my bumper while
parking etc... But I have not had to use it yet, so it is durable. You will need about six to eight cans of it
depending on how heavy handed you are in your application, I am usually of the more is better schoool of
thought, and you best result is going to be if you take the time to remove all the cladding entirely, give is a
good sanding with a fine grit paper, and a thorough wash and dry, then apply in a sealed area.
I can't tell you exactly how many hours of labor are involved as I did this at the same time as the cutting and
buffing of the paint, but the two together took about thirty to fourty hours of work, so if you don't have the
time and space to do it yourself, it would likely be quite expensive, although I am sure a pro could do it in
far less time.

hope that helps...C.

I recall Luna said NOT to sand the cladding. I might look into this stuff further, and as to cost.

Riff- Have you applied the TS-1 stuff yet? If not, think you'll be doing it in the near future? I'm still thinking about that product too.

[JHarris1385]

Alright I put my above coat(s) on the first of the month and it has still not streaked. I have sprayed it down too. Ill try to take a picture tomorrow.

[vt_maverick]

What I wonder is what's the difference between Gatorback and TS-1? Weren't they both recommended/created/owned by GM?

[Mile High VX]

http://www.gatorbackcoatings.com/

$22.95 for an 11 oz. areosol can. Fully cladded Avalanche takes 8 cans, but says for vehicles with bumpers and running boards it takes 2 cans.

Areosol cleaner also available for $7.95 and contains no mineral spirits.

Some good customer testimonials and the GM service notices.

I would guess that this process would cover scratches and slight imperfections.

[RickOKC]

Hmmm, I'd like to see some close-up photos of the end result. I definitely don't think the cladding would look nearly as awesome if the factory texture was sanded off. Or does this coating leave a similar texture?

[Mile High VX]

Hmmm, I'd like to see some close-up photos of the end result. I definitely don't think the cladding would look nearly as awesome if the factory texture was sanded off. Or does this coating leave a similar texture?

If you look at the application instructions they have some good close ups of the Avalanche cover that shows how it leaves the factory texture...

[RickOKC]

Ah ha. Thanks! AND, it looks like the seller from eBay sanded his cladding, yet I don't see that as part of the "official" instructions from GatorBack.

I wonder if the right color to order is Dark Gray or Black. Maybe I should start a poll?

[FlyingV77]

I found a pic on phone and just figuerd out how to send it to my comp.

This is an old pic, but just a few min after i aplied the TS1. It looked great, non-greasy.

The sun glare makes it look more grey, but it came out realy dark.

[img]

[vt_maverick]

I found a pic on phone and just figuerd out how to send it to my comp.

This is an old pic, but just a few min after i aplied the TS1. It looked great, non-greasy.

The sun glare makes it look more grey, but it came out realy dark.

How has it held up in the rain?

[FlyingV77]

it held up great, no streaks from the rain, didnt colect any dust, and it lasted almost 3 months. the odd thing is it didnt fade out. it looked great untill it wore off, and that transition was almost overnight.

It also worked great on the hood, mirrors, door handles even helped with the fuel door.

[vt_maverick]

Going to have to buy some of this stuff then, took the VX through a car wash yesterday afternoon and it washed most of the 303 off. You would think a marine protectant would be more resilient to water but I guess not. With winter on the way it would be nice to get the cladding protected while it's still warm out.

[circmand]

Going to have to buy some of this stuff then, took the VX through a car wash yesterday afternoon and it washed most of the 303 off. You would think a marine protectant would be more resilient to water but I guess not. With winter on the way it would be nice to get the cladding protected while it's still warm out.

Back to black on mine tends to streak after awhile when I wash it. I would hate to have to reapply when the temp here starts dropping into the 60s

[vt_maverick]

Just ordered the TS-1, hoping it will arrive by Thursday so I can put it on Friday before I head out for the weekend. Fingers crossed...