Mud Guards: Yea or Nay?
 

I was about to reflexively ask to have the mudguards thrown in with the car when I purchase it (within the next two weeks), but the threads about them scratching the paint are now making me think it might not be such a good idea.

Do they actually provide any significant protection to the body/paint from debris? Do people without them experience paint chipping or other problems?

Yea for me.

I've always had mudguards on my recent Acuras and, maybe since we didn't see much "weather" beyond sunny days in SoCal, it was never a problem.

I just added a poll to your thread. Will be easier to see/read and reach conclusions. :thumbsup:

Apparently they scratch the car from rubbing up against the paint but I think more damage can be caused without them on. I removed my front guards last summer and shortly after went for a drive on a dirt road. My OEM skirts are now all scratched and that drive down the dirt road is the only thing I can think of that would have caused it. I'm sure the mud guards would have protected the car in that situation.

I say leave em on.

Lots of garbage in the road in PHX.... Guards work!

I don't mind the look of the guards and I like the look of fewer dings on my car so yes to mudguards.

They usually only cause damage to cars driven in severe weather conditions. I'd say go ahead and get them (besides they look good on the car too).

Like 'em.

No Choice in Western NY
 

I've had full splash guards on the following:

2002 TL-S
2004 TSX
2001 Odyssey EX
2004 Pilot EX

No paint/rush issues even here in Buffalo with the salt on the roads...They really keep a lot of the "schitiz" under and off the sides...Great on dirt/stone roads also to deflect stones...

I can assure you that the mud guards DO scratch the paint on the TSX. I have the scratches to prove it.

But I think the added protection the guards provide outweighs those scrctches.

i have the body kit, so i got rid of mine. however, if i didn't have the kit, i would recommend keeping the guards on. you can prevent scratches by placing a very thin tape, rubber, or foam liner between the guard and the body. it's a pain in the ass, but worth it.

for more info about the scratches, though, see domn's thread:
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4356

i took mine off and had very tiny scratches from them. i like the cleaner look of not having them on.

I have PWP, so the mudguards look out of place on my car. If I had a darker color car, then it would be alright I guess.

I've had them on every car I've owned in the past couple of decades. They do work and, being black, are relatively unobtrusive. I never take them off so the scratches aren't an issue for me.

I painted them body-colored (PWP) and it matches the car well and only have the OEM front lip...so they stay on....protects the car from rocks and mud splashing up ..

I did take them off temp. to get them painted and wow...it sure got dirty !!

Yea for me!!

What stops the paint from peeling off??

My guards on my Accord scratched so I don't use them now.

Chipped sills won't rust, scratched front fenders will.

I like'em :nod:

I agree I like the cleaner look better plus I live in cali so no real need for them here.

Mine were "free" so, yea.

But, they will go away once I get the OEM kit next month. :woot:

I had lots of chips on my Jetta because it didn't have these. My TSX has zero scratches from road debris due to the mud flaps. 24k miles here.

As long as the painter primes the material well, it should be alright. Ive had it on for over a month and with the Toronto weather where we had a bit of snow where the salt trucks were out and with my area still in development (rocks and tons of muds) The paint still sticks and hasnt chipped.

I put them on my car (only cuz I got them for free because I work for an Acura dealer) And I like 'em!

I had my car for a year with no mud guards and I have virtually no marks. It depends on where you drive. If you drive on gravel or loose roads a lot that would be helpful. I have more marks in the front bumper from OTHER cars in front. In my instance I would invest in a clear bra instead.

Joe...Pull the mudguards off now if you can. I just got the OEM kit and I'm waiting until after the winter to install. I read a post about how mudguards can scratch the paint underneath. I took mine off and sure enough there were marks there in the front on both sides. Unforuntantely the OEM bodykit will not cover these marks.

I would take them off if you plan to get the OEM body kit.

I've got them on mine.


Note about removing them if already installed (and this comes from a guy that has done everything besides being the detailer for Honda and Acura dealers): If you don't do it within 2 days of installation, you run the risk of paint coming off along the edge of the splash guard. If they're on there upon delivery, leave them on.

I voted yea, even though I think they look a bit dorky. The alternative is even worse, so I'm forced to choose "the lesser of two weevils". :)

:werd:

I originally voted yea, when I had my OEM TSX wheels on, but now that I have wider tires (235/45/17) and an offset (42mm vs 55mm OEM) that makes my wheels stick out a little more, I change my vote (but can't since I've already voted).

Reason:

1) Mud Guards line up with and are the same width as the original tires (215/50/17). With my new wheels, the mud guards look too small and slightly misaligned when viewed from behind.

2) Mud Guards are pointless now that my wheels/tires stick out a little farther than the guards protect.

3) The car does have a cleaner and more agressive look (also partly due to my new five spoke Alessio Super 17" x 7.5" wheels) without the tires.

AND 4) When's the last time you've seen a nice Benz, Bimmer, or Lexus (not including SUV's) with Mud/Splash Guards??!! The last 1,000 or so I've seen of those cars in the past few days.... nada one.

I would of gotten them, but I'm going to order the OEM Kit

from the expierence of having them and removing them, i say NO strongly. in winter i had so more crap built up from the guards, they did do much accept for limit my drivability by clogging my wheel wells

:werd:

:nod: Get them.....pretty cheap investment. I like mine.

I'm starting to think about this now so I searched and found this thread, but I have to say...
:pics:

not only that, by they dig in and damage the paint. I removed mine after 2 weeks and they were already starting to damage the paint. There was an article about this on TOV and some threads here as well.

:werd:

Mud Guard

Anyone got a pic of mud guards on a Carbon Grey TSX? I'm hoping they'll blend in better on a dark car. As much as I would like to go without them, we get a fair amount of ice/snow in St. Louis so I'm worried about paint damage if I leave them off.

BTW, thanks for the pic TSX 'R' US.

Anyone?