Paint Damage due to Road Debris
02-15-2008, 02:25 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: 02-15-2008
Location: Stockwell, Indiana (Lafayette Area)
Posts: 339
Paint Damage due to Road Debris
Greetings to one and all, I live in central Indiana and I was just wondering if anyone else is experiencing the problem of paint damage, due to the use of sand on the road in the winter time???? If so, please let me know. My HHR currently DOES NOT have the factory running boards on it. So, I had the Splash Guards installed so as to help prevent damage to my vehicle (alas - this did not help much). So far the only HHR's that I have seen with the same type of damage also DO NOT have the running boards. If your HHR has the factory running board - count yourself lucky or fortunate. Currently I have been in contact with GM about trying to get the paint damaged to my vehicle repaired. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated.
02-15-2008, 05:32 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: 01-13-2006
Location: Superior, WI - Over the Hill Warranty Club member
Posts: 2,999
Welcome to the Forum
Yes this has been a long time issue starting in Feb 06
The fix has been to add the runningboards and mud flaps.
Reading material:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...=runningboards
Yes this has been a long time issue starting in Feb 06
The fix has been to add the runningboards and mud flaps.
Reading material:
https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/show...=runningboards
02-15-2008, 06:03 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: 08-20-2006
Location: Hillsdale, Michigan
Posts: 21,640
to the site and unfortunately to the club of sandblasted rear fenders. Luckily, I learned quickly about the problem and had both running boards and splash guards installed at cost after just a couple weeks of ownership.
02-15-2008, 06:28 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: 09-14-2007
Location: xxxxx-xx
Posts: 1,441
Welcome. After reading the forum for awhile before I bought a HHR, I knew I then wanted the running boards, but they now get covered with snow and ice on the top and bottom, I also have OEM molded splash guards. Solution now is to move south but afraid that won't be soon enough. Believe they made the boards standard on all models in Canada because of the problem.
02-15-2008, 06:29 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: 10-19-2005
Location: Miami
Posts: 20,687
Please note........the running boards is not a cure for this problem, it just slows the sandblasting down. I drove my HHR of the lot w/ running boards and still had signs of the sandblasting a year later.
BTW......
BTW......
02-15-2008, 07:22 AM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: 12-14-2007
Location: Toronto ON Canada
Posts: 2,964
Glad I went the right way on that choice. Now Im also looking for the molded "HHR" logo mud flaps for a decent price. I may also get the clear vinyl for the fenders, already have it for the nose to put on when it gets warmer.
02-15-2008, 08:13 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: 09-14-2007
Location: xxxxx-xx
Posts: 1,441
02-15-2008, 09:56 AM
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: 07-12-2006
Location: NE Ohio
Posts: 1,703
In the areas we live in, you're gonna get damage to your car/truck no matter what you drive, if used in the winter! So, you might as well drive something that doesn't look like everything else on the road, gets good mileage, & handles well in the snow/ice! 
