Once upon a time, mudflaps were cool and there was nothing that could peg the groovy scale like a set of "Yosemite Sam" flaps with his six-shooters drawn and "Back Off" proudly displayed to those unfortunates who were stuck behind such a cool car. They did, however, protect the paint from the damaging effects of rocks, gravel, and road grime.
Now we're in the new millenium and mudflaps, thankfully, are out. Can you imagine seeing a brand spankin' new Corvette with Yosemite Sam hanging behind each wheel? However, the problem of gravel-blasted rocker panels still persists. One solution lies with a product known as Cleartastic.
Cleartastic is a clear, flexible film that clings to the car by static electricity. It's pre-cut to fit panels behind the front and rear wheels, and won't come off until it's pulled off. Once installed, it's virtually invisible, and offers great protection against the perils of road debris. Before being applied to the car, the area must be waxed and buffed. To further aid installation, fill a spray bottle with water and a little liquid soap, and spray it on the panel. The soapy solution will allow the piece to be easily moved into position, make it easier to squeeze out excess bubbles, and will help Cleartastic adhere better. We installed Cleartastic on a '85 Vette, and it were practically invisible once completely dry. It also stuck to the car very well, yet removed easily. Our only gripe was that the front pieces required a little trimming to fit perfectly. Other than that, the Cleartastic panels seemed to do exactly what the manufacturer claims. Cleartastic protectors are available for many Corvette applications. They're inexpensive protection-and look loads better than mudflaps!