Fender / checker plate question

grenadierguy · May 17, 2023

Krabby said:
An interesting note from the NA configurer - the checker plates are listed as a dealer install. I assumed they were a factory fit.

I saw that too and got nervous for two reasons.

They could charge us a lot for install.
They could mess it up.

Pros are we could purchase and install ourselves if you wanted to drill and rivet your 90k car lol.

Krabby · May 17, 2023

grenadierguy said:
I saw that too and got nervous for two reasons.

They could charge us a lot for install.

They could mess it up.

Pros are we could purchase and install ourselves if you wanted to drill and rivet your 90k car lol.

Couldn't agree more - especially point 2!!!

DaBull · May 18, 2023

There are lots of black rubber flooring materials that have various raised surface features like coin, squares and diamond plate too.
Comes in shiny and mat finishes. I have some on my kitchen floor and it has lasted 35 years and still looks brand new.
Being exposed to the sun would shorten it's life. Perhaps cutting the shape out you want and using lots of
automotive tape to secure them in place would keep you from drilling through
the fenders and also allow one to remove them and restore the fender to like new without them on anymore. Main concern is getting a good
seal to not let moisture in under the rubber or perhaps laying out the automotive tape to allow any moisture to escape and not build up.
Being black in color, the sun will likely bake out any moisture is any accumulated, providing there is a place it can escape from.
Even anodized aluminum ones could likely be attached with automotive tape, just not sure having aluminum is allowed anymore in the US.
My current 2020 Defender 110 has plastic ones held in place with plastic clips, look good, however not as good as aluminum ones would look
as the plastic is too shiny, while anodized aluminum has a very cool satin metal look to it. Not sure I want my dealer charging me a lot extra
to drill into my fenders. Going to order my Grenadier without them and then maybe install my choice my way later on. DaBull

ADVAW8S · May 20, 2023

Krabby said:
Couldn't agree more - especially point 2!!!

Maybe this question needs to be bumped to Ineos. I would consider it if it is factory installed. If it is installed at dealership, I'll pass and let ppf do its thing

DaBull · May 20, 2023

ADVAW8S said:
Maybe this question needs to be bumped to Ineos. I would consider it if it is factory installed. If it is installed at dealership, I'll pass and let ppf do its thing

Does anyone know with certainty if the fender checker plates are aluminum or plastic for the US Market. Would like to know as anodized aluminum is a proper look, just don't know if regs in the US allow aluminum or not. My 2020 Defender has plastic checker plate, which just looks ok and is too shiny. Always thought about taking some fine wet and dry sandpaper to the top surface of the raised diamonds to cut the glare and give it a better look. DaBull

DaveB · May 20, 2023

DaBull said:
Does anyone know with certainty if the fender checker plates are aluminum or plastic for the US Market. Would like to know as anodized aluminum is a proper look, just don't know if regs in the US allow aluminum or not. My 2020 Defender has plastic checker plate, which just looks ok and is too shiny. Always thought about taking some fine wet and dry sandpaper to the top surface of the raised diamonds to cut the glare and give it a better look. DaBull

This doesn't give a plastic alternative for anywhere.

DaBull · May 21, 2023

DaveB said:
This doesn't give a plastic alternative for anywhere.
View attachment 7812826

Hi DaveB, Thanks for the clarification. If anyone hears differently, let us know. Interesting to see the aluminum is e-coated vs anodized. Would have preferred anodizing.
E-coating produces a thin paint-like organic coating on the parts whereas anodizing is aluminum oxide, a ceramic-like coating which is much harder and more wear resistant. Perhaps, order checker plate, have e-coating stripped off and properly anodize them a satin black for a proper and more wear resistant look. I used to have aluminum products made that were anodized. Always looked fantastic and lasted forever too. DaBull

Boston Boy · May 21, 2023

DaBull said:
Hi DaveB, Thanks for the clarification. If anyone hears differently, let us know. Interesting to see the aluminum is e-coated vs anodized. Would have preferred anodizing.
E-coating produces a thin paint-like organic coating on the parts whereas anodizing is aluminum oxide, a ceramic-like coating which is much harder and more wear resistant. Perhaps, order checker plate, have e-coating stripped off and properly anodize them a satin black for a proper and more wear resistant look. I used to have aluminum products made that were anodized. Always looked fantastic and lasted forever too. DaBull

or try Cerakote, a ceramic coating available in many colors, and durable: used on many military weapons on both external and moving parts

Krabby · May 21, 2023

I am curious how the plates are installed, since they are listed as dealer install. I’m guessing it’s adhesive and if that’s the case it’s probably a doable diy down the road.

DaBull · May 21, 2023

Krabby said:
I am curious how the plates are installed, since they are listed as dealer install. I’m guessing it’s adhesive and if that’s the case it’s probably a doable diy down the road.

Hi Krabby, I think I have seen somewhere that the checker plate is installed with automotive tape and rivets. I am hoping I can just order them and not have the dealer install them until I get them the way I want them first and then look at doing my own install. Hopefully they don't charge me installation labor to simply throw them in the boot. DaBull

Krabby · May 21, 2023

DaBull said:
Hi Krabby, I think I have seen somewhere that the checker plate is installed with automotive tape and rivets. I am hoping I can just order them and not have the dealer install them until I get them the way I want them first and then look at doing my own install. Hopefully they don't charge me installation labor to simply throw them in the boot. DaBull

I haven’t decided how I feel about them so I will not be ordering them with my build.

DaveB · May 21, 2023

Krabby said:
I am curious how the plates are installed, since they are listed as dealer install. I’m guessing it’s adhesive and if that’s the case it’s probably a doable diy down the road.

Adhesive/double sided tape and rivets

DCPU · May 21, 2023

DaBull said:
My 2020 Defender has plastic checker plate, which just looks ok and is too shiny.

It's a US company selling these:

New Defender Real Alloy Checker Bonnet Plates V2

New Defender Real Alloy Checker Bonnet Plate Updated Version 2 Bring back the classic defender practicality with real alloy checker plate to replace the factory plastic. All new single plate design Full left and right real high quality alloy chequer plates Complete Stainless Steel bolt and...

newdefendermods.com

DaBull · May 21, 2023

DCPU said:
It's a US company selling these:

New Defender Real Alloy Checker Bonnet Plates V2

New Defender Real Alloy Checker Bonnet Plate Updated Version 2 Bring back the classic defender practicality with real alloy checker plate to replace the factory plastic. All new single plate design Full left and right real high quality alloy chequer plates Complete Stainless Steel bolt and...

newdefendermods.com

HI DCPU, Yes I saw these aftermarket checker plates for the new Defender. Still don't understand why they are not anodized and just powder coated.
Must be trying to save money. Anodizing is the proper way to go. DaBull

Stu_Barnes · May 21, 2023

Krabby said:
I am curious how the plates are installed, since they are listed as dealer install. I’m guessing it’s adhesive and if that’s the case it’s probably a doable diy down the road.

There will be an installation bulletin or whatever INEOS will call these things specifically for the install. It'll get into the public domain sooner or later.

DCPU · May 21, 2023

I can't imagine it will be that different from how LR used to do it (also a Rivnut version). Although rivets have been seen...

AZGrenadier · May 22, 2023

the Anodizing will fade pretty significantly in the sun. Pretty soon you would have some brownish fender plates.

ECrider · Sep 27, 2023

It's becoming clearer that the actual 3mm chequer plates on the wings are the reinforcement allowing for fat Bstards (me) to stand or put other weighty things on them. Therefore I think I'll have to venture down the aluminium version rather than a softer material which would not aid said fad Bstard(s) standing/sitting etc on them. The bonnet wings on mine have an awful lot of flex on them.

Therefore would some kind soul in Oz or Europe please take some measurements allowing fabrication of the plates. I shall take my own from the car but would be nice to have a cross reference. Positioning of the rivets/nuts would also be appreciated.

Danke and nice one mate in advance.

Andiamo · Oct 26, 2023

As we get closer to our deliveries here in the US, can anyone share some pics and impressions of their checker plates? I spec’d them on our Grenadier, but going back and forth as to whether or not I still want them.

Barney · Oct 26, 2023

I would like to have some. But I don’t know if we get some in Germany

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