Metalcloak Gamechanger install and thoughts and first 200 miles of driving!

[Snarf77]

Having just had Jessee's girl xpel wrapped, I'm actually delaying the install a couple days. I was doing some thinking about how the bolts may affect the xpel when I crank them down on the exoskin. I'm thinking that if I don't do something to separate the xpel from the turning bolt, that I'll twist the xpel wrap under the bolt head.



I went ahead and ordered some 1/64 thick low friction PTFE washers to put under each bolt head, and also in between the exoskin and the rivet nuts that are all over the side of the jeep. The are far from flush and I'm thinking the daily vibration of driving would eventually cause the rivet nut wear through the finish and begin the corrosion process in between the OEM body and the inside of the exoskin. Overkill? Maybe, but other than time, its will only cost a couple bucks in washers.

[JeepLab]

Having just had Jessee's girl xpel wrapped, I'm actually delaying the install a couple days. I was doing some thinking about how the bolts may affect the xpel when I crank them down on the exoskin. I'm thinking that if I don't do something to separate the xpel from the turning bolt, that I'll twist the xpel wrap under the bolt head.



I went ahead and ordered some 1/64 thick low friction PTFE washers to put under each bolt head, and also in between the exoskin and the rivet nuts that are all over the side of the jeep. The are far from flush and I'm thinking the daily vibration of driving would eventually cause the rivet nut wear through the finish and begin the corrosion process in between the OEM body and the inside of the exoskin. Overkill? Maybe, but other than time, its will only cost a couple bucks in washers.

This move is brilliant. I have twisted the wrap when someone who didnt know what they were doing tightend my flare on. Im planning to replace the whole section of wrap in that area because it drives me nuts.

[Snarf77]

The whole process worked out pretty well. I was able to get both rear exoskin pieces installed after work today. Probably about 3 hours to do them both. With the rivet nuts, you have to spend some time getting every single bolt lined up, then there are aluminum stand offs that have to get installed and various complication. I have a rather large hand and you have to wind your hand down into the fender through the tail light area to get some nuts and bolts tightened, and then get a wrench in there to keep it from spinning. All said and done, it turned out well. Once the exoskin installs, the fenders/flares take only a couple minutes to pop on.



Finished:



Now I have to get my fender wells lined and do the fronts tomorrow and Thursday!