Well for those who have the little plastic covers that protect behind the wheels from rocks hitting the body, water will obviously get behind there and eventually rot from the inside out soo what if I cleaned the surface and put a light line of silicone ontop of the plastic to prevent water and salt from getting in behind where you cant clean?

 

Couldn't that also trap moisture in? Ive noticed that newer vehicles have a clear 3M plastic sheet that covers the area and prevents the plastic shield from rubbing the paint off

 

I would image but it would keep more out than in wouldnt ya think? Im debating on doing it or not.

 

Water from the hood/wiper cowl drains down in to there. But that would probably help keep mud and dirt out.

 

I wouldn't do it.

 

Just take them off, I did. I would rather have a couple rock chips than a panel start rusting out. I've had mine off for probably six months and have zero rock chips.

 

My first intension was to take them off but idk how to get the rivet things off, never had to deal with those before, and also i saw glue so i figured I would leave them on, I would prefer them off though

 

the plastic "rivets" just pull straight out. They will more than likely get ruined, but that won't matter if you don't plan on putting the mudflaps back on.

I took my time to save those plastic pieces to insert back into the holes... looks a bit better than an open hole.

 

I just bought some more nylon retainers and color matched them to fill the hole. You can't tell anything was ever there.