Combat Road Salt With Protective & Stylish Rocker Panel Trim from ICI

ICI was a pioneer of stainless steel trim accessories and has been manufacturing and distributing high-quality rocker panel trim and armor since 1982. Adding protection against daily wear and tear, this innovative exterior accessory has been highly popular with both retailers and installers for over 35 years.

Living in a climate that sees snow every year has its perks—winter sports, beautiful scenery, snow days. Unfortunately, for the lot of us, it also means contending with the bane of every car owners’ existence—ROAD SALT. While it might cut down on accidents, that de-icer is racking up $3 billion annually in vehicle rust damage, according to AAA. Chewing through exhaust systems, brake lines, and fuel tanks, it’s also doing a real number on your rocker panels.

Facing the brunt of flying dirt, gravel, and other road debris, this integral part of your vehicle takes a beating year-round, but particularly in the winter. “In the last five years, 22 million U.S. drivers have experienced rust damage to their cars due to salt and liquid de-icers,” explains AAA. “In addition to the safety risk, repairs to fix these problems are often costly, averaging almost $500 per occurrence.”

And if you’re looking at rocker panel replacement you can double that number—at least.

While giving your car some regular (and thorough) wash-and-wax attention is still the best way to combat rust and corrosion, it’s still easier said than done. Out of sight, out of mind—right? How many times do you literally step over your rocker panels without giving them a second thought?

Luckily, preventative measures exist to safeguard them from the elements. Rocker panel trim (sometimes referred to as covers or just rocker panels) is an easy and affordable way to maintain your rocker panels’ structural integrity by offering some extra protection against flying debris. Plus, it’s a great way to add a clean, custom look to your ride that complements the OE’s body lines.

There are plenty of companies in the aftermarket offering a variety of trim options. However, we recommend turning to ICI first. Why? Because ICI is a true innovator in the automotive accessory industry. In fact, these guys were pioneering stainless steel techniques while other brands were still using inferior chroming processes to mimic the same look.

ICI Rocker Panel Trim

ICI rocker panel trim is available in two main styles—T304 stainless steel or sturdy ABS plastic.

The former comes in a polished stainless steel finish with the option of ribbing. (The ribbed panels are part of the Signature or SE Series.) Both of these styles add a touch of luxury to your vehicle’s styling, by giving edges a shiny finish.

The ABS trim, called the Rocker Armor Series, features a trendy blacked-out look that adds an aggressive vibe—a perfect addition to the styling of many modern trucks. All of the options mentioned also offer extra buffer against dents, dings, scratches, and road debris, protecting paint and ensuring there are no cavities for rust to form. Even better, they’re available for hundreds of makes and models and come with a generous three-year warranty.

Wondering what to do if you already have rust eating away at your vehicle? Check out our two-parter on preventing and tackling corrosion.

Installing Rocker Panel Trim

So, you’ve picked out some ICI trim panels that you like and you’ve checked to make sure that your vehicle is fit to wear them—free of rust, holes, peeling paint, and sloppy repairs. Now it’s time to install them.

Thankfully, ICI boasts one of the easiest installations. All you need is some soapy water, degreaser, a good microfiber towel, Isopropyl alcohol, and a really good eye. If you don’t have that last item, we recommend a non-permanent marker, measuring tape, and some painter’s tape.

Before you dig in…

Double check that you have all the correct pieces. Hold them against the sides of the vehicle and make sure they look right with the body lines and correspond with each other.

Next, grab your favorite soap and give the side panel of your vehicle a good wash. A degreaser is helpful here to pull up any grime that might be stuck to the paint. Then, wipe over the whole area with some rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth so you guarantee a super clean surface to accept the 3M adhesive.

From here, there are a few ways to properly align the trim pieces. The important thing to remember is that once those babies are on, they’re on. One option is to line up the pieces by eye, gently peeling the adhesive backing off as you push the trim into place. Another, takes a few more steps but generally has a better success rate.

We recommend holding the rocker panel trim pieces up against the vehicle’s body and lightly marking the top with a non-permanent marker. (Use the measuring tape to check that your marks are actually in a straight line.) Then, run the painter’s tape along the side of the vehicle using your marks as a guide. This gives you a straight edge to line the trim pieces against as you press them into place. Then, once you finish, you can remove the tape, and wipe off the marks and give the newly-installed trim a once-over.

What Else Can I Get From ICI?

Impressed with the easy installation? Well, there’s plenty more durable trim accessories available from ICI to help you round out that style upgrade. In addition to rocker panel trim, ICI offers fender trim, bed caps, gas tank trim, pillar posts, bulkhead protectors, and tailgate caps.

The company’s line of side steps, Magnum RT steps, and Magnum Jeep accessories has recently transitioned to new ownership but ICI has some exciting things on the horizon as it develops its new brand. “In the new year, ICI is taking the initiative to produce new applications and innovative product categories to meet our customer’s needs,” says Noah Schmitz, Director of Sales. “ICI takes pride in being one of the leading aftermarket product manufacturers for over 25 years. We are locally-owned, USA-made, and praised worldwide for the dedication and service that we provide for our customer,” he continues.

This value of customer service has encouraged the company to multiple its efforts for a great user experience. Updating marketing, improving website experience, and refining product descriptions for better accuracy are just part of process. “We have also partnered with Trophy Engineering, a company that specializes in robotics and high-level manufacturing,” adds Schmitz. “With our new partnership, ICI is set to become a power house of new and innovative products in 2020.”

Stay tuned to ICI’s Facebook and Instagram, and check back here on the blog for new product and application updates.