smooth instead of chequer for wings/quarter protectors?

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
Anyone ever use the smooth/plain aluminum skins instead of chequer on wings and quarters? Both need the extra support and blemish dent/damage hiding. I have some installed now but was considering getting smooth black or even painting body color. Just wondering if anyone has ever seen it or has is on theirs. Any and all opinions are welcome. Thanks.

7237



7239
 

mgreenspan

Founding Member
Smooth negates the benefit of traction if you had to walk on them and doesn’t stop tools from rolling off. Never seen smooth in person on any vehicle.
 

Uncle Douglas

Well-known member
Callsign: delete
Kandefer/ LRC has been doing smooth wingtops (think his are stainless) for years now as one of his signature items. http://lrccustoms.com/
Personally I'm not a fan of quarter panel covers unless its mangled.
I have trouble drilling holes in nice straight panels
 
Last edited:

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
didnt think about the wingtops being traction, so that's a thought. the quarters have a few former drill holes, and will have 2 rivets for the structural square that was rotted away. I would go cheap and get the bearmach 3mm, and either paint or powder them if I didnt like the color. i may keep the chequer, but wanted to see if there were others out there.
 

BarryO

Well-known member
One thing with smooth panels is that they show the slightest imperfection, blemish, or waviness. Those tend to be hidden by the checker pattern.
 

javelinadave

Administrator
Staff member
Smooth panels in my opinion are nothing but bling unless they are Line_X'ed. Once Line-X'ed they are a win top reinforcement with a grippy surface.
 

4RF RDS

Well-known member
I have had the smooth ones on mine for a couple years now. Never had a issue with traction, chipping, denting, scratching or anything else. I regularly chuck shackles, tools and stand on em. Its also way more comfy working on the engine or under the hood than diamond plate. No more dented elbows. Plus I just think they look better, eapecially with the SDO smooth vent cover.
 

Attachments

  • DFBED705-6DAB-4002-9123-35ECEEA3B121.png
    DFBED705-6DAB-4002-9123-35ECEEA3B121.png
    6.2 MB · Views: 184

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
I can dig it. I like the line-x option. changes it up from usual chequr plate and can strip down and redo if needed. my quarters and fenders came covered, mainly to hide the damage underneath. will probably cut a hood plate to match since I can't seem to find a matching one. 3mm bearmach panels are cheap.
 

chris snell

Administrator
Callsign: NW5W
Staff member
I've dreamed of smooth, cover-free wings since I bought a Defender. Someday I will repaint this truck and put fresh, clean wings on, no tread.
 

4RF RDS

Well-known member
Were I to remove my fenders for whatever reason I would definitely have them Linexed on the underside. I did my hood and it certainly helps a lot to prevent denting when standing on it. I can only assume it would do the same on the flat fender tops.
 

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
Were I to remove my fenders for whatever reason I would definitely have them Linexed on the underside. I did my hood and it certainly helps a lot to prevent denting when standing on it. I can only assume it would do the same on the flat fender tops.
so the extra mass/rigidity helped with the dents?
 

Angus

Well-known member
I Linex'd an aluminum panel I put on the floor of my roof rack to mount my Jerry can holders. It makes a very nice textured surface and is available in colors. They can also only cover one side so the plates will fit flush.
 

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
picked up the full set of 3mm smooth from bearmach. I'd rather not rivet but can't find a good set of black stainless or alu countersunk screws. anyone have any good options for hardware?

that said, I'll have a relatively new set of black chequer (hood, wings, sills, quarters) if anyone is in need.
 

BarryO

Well-known member
What size screws? McMaster-Carr has black-oxide stainless metric flat-head screws up to size M6
 

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
What size screws? McMaster-Carr has black-oxide stainless metric flat-head screws up to size M6

I was thinking m5 or m6. Torx preferred but only found those overseas for too much money. I may pursue anodized aluminum. I did see McMaster had some black ox 1/4-20 as an option. yrm has stainless cheap but not black.
 
Top