Grey cladding

[KRemo]

I had my cladding taken off and line-x front to back. It looks really sharp and all I do is spray it with the hose it looks great.

[blacksambo]

I had my cladding taken off and line-x front to back. It looks really sharp and all I do is spray it with the hose it looks great.

You've got a big investment there. But what happens if a panel gets damaged? Will a later re-paint match?

[bssage]

I had my cladding taken off and line-x front to back. It looks really sharp and all I do is spray it with the hose it looks great.

Yeah I would think that would be the fix to end all fixes. Would like to see pics. Do they offer a choice of shades from black to grey with that stuff? Can I ask a general cost? That is definitely something I am considering. Is there any issues you didn't consider when you made the decision?

[VX KAT]

For some of the "newer" members, there's been extensive posting and numerous threads on use of different products to keep the cladding looking good.

After extensively discussing TEMPORARY treatment products like Back-to-Black (usually abbreviated as B2B), 303, Ice, Stoner Trim Shine, Turtle wax and several others (like TS-1 which is 3-6 months)....several of us moved on to find a more PERMANENT solution. Most of the temp products contain silicone, which has to be removed before applying the permanent type products.

Several Permanent products have been tried in the past year or two including these.
There's one or more THREADs on each of these with detailed info, you can search on the keywords to find them:

• Refinish/Restorer (abbreviated R/R)
• TC Black Fusion
• Showroom New
• GatorBack
• Heat gun
• Bedliner stuff...Line-X, Rhinoliner, Herculiner (bssage...there's many pics of these ont he forum, some have done the entire truck!
  
  
  Painted cladding:

This thread probably has the most info and discusses a lot of testing some of us have done with various products:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...BLACK+CLADDING


Several TSBs issued about the cladding:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=12867


Heat gun:
Info and discussion on using heat gun to refresh cladding:
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...553#post247553


Here's a pretty good summary of several products I researched:

Well, I've done some reading up on the AV forum on cladding treatments.

TOTAL SEARCH RESULTS FOR "GATORBACK"
http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...hp?board=113.0


SOME OF THE MORE PERTINENT THREADS WITHIN THOSE SEARCH RESULTS:

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,119244.0.html - TALKING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH GATORBACK

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,117336.0.html - Details on APPLYING GatorBack

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...c,90475.0.html - Talking about using Refinish/Restore

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,124226.0.html - Talking about both GatorBack and Refinish/Restore

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,117082.0.html - Discussing GatorBack and TS-1

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...,112257.0.html - Detailed description using Krylon Fusion and Duplicolor

http://www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com...c,39494.0.html - Long detailed test by a user of 7 products: (Done in 2005)
Products used in Alphabetical order:
1 303 Aerospace Protectant
2 Klasse Sealant Glaze
3 Pennzoil All-in-One
4 NXT Wax not used on panel #3
5 NXT Rubber/Vinyl/Plastic Protectant
6 Stoner's Trim Shine
7 Turtle Wax Tire Shine
.....and a few other products......pencil eraser, peanut butter, Future floor wax (which is an acrylic), Mop-N-Glow floor



Letter from GatorBack to Av owner that had a shop apply GB 4 separate times....and its still not right!!!

Shanes 02 Avalanche
Full Member
Location: Coarsegold, ca
Joined: Jan 2005


Re: Gatorback issues and questions????
« Reply #4 on: 04/11/10 11:04 AM »
Here is Gatorbacks reply:

Shane,

I am very sorry to read about the difficulties you are experiencing with GatorBack. I believe that I can provide you with information to solve your difficulties. Chipping and peeling, where the GatorBack fails to adhere to the cladding, is caused by incomplete cleaning and prep work prior to the initial application. There is a three step process that involves first cleaning with denatured alcohol, a solvent-type cleaner to remove any residual material such as silicone that will interfere with adhesion. Secondly, the cladding is lightly abraded with Scotch-Brite gray scuff pads. This abrasion promotes adhesion. Finally, cleaning with the GatorBack Cleaner removes all remaining residue and renders the surfaces ready for the GatorBack application. The detailed instructions can be found on the home page of our web-site, www.GatorBackCoatings.com and entering the Cladding Restoration portal. On the home, in the center there will be a clickable area that will offer to download a PDF file about 8 pages long with all the steps detailed. Print the file and take it to the shop where you had your truck done.
Please understand that GatorBack is manufactured in huge quantities and every production run consists of enough product to do 216 vehicles. If there were to be a defective batch, it would affect 215 other customers. After having done over 30,000 Avalanches the past five-six years, I can tell you that we have not had 25 problems in that entire time span, let alone with any one batch.
The shop will probably not like to have to re-do the application, but that is the only way to solve your problem. They will have to remove the existing GatorBack with lacquer thinner and then proceed with the application process again.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any more information, and again, please accept my apologies that you have had to experience the problem with your application.

Neil Power
GatorBack Coatings
(813) 294-9219

[ALC1717]

I Originally Used Showroom New On My VX Black Cladding, However It Has Many Streaks In The Cladding. Just Recently Did The Cladding With Wipe New Which Shows Less Streaks And Is Blacker! Just Want To See How Long It Lasts! If I Am Not Satisfied My Friend Who Owns A Body Shop Is Going To Repaint The Cladding In A Black Satin Color.