Diamond Plating

[byson1]

I'm curious-I see a lot of Bronco's (and other 4 x 4's too) with diamond plating. I know it's used quite a bit to cover up rust, dents etc.. and I think that's fine. However, I have been looking at a lot of otherwise very nice Bronco's that have had lots of work including new paint jobs and then this stuff gets added. When I see that it makes me cringe. Maybe it's just me. Other opinions?

 

[Broncitis]

I agree 100% IMO diamond plate is for Firetrucks!

I personally think it looks tacky and cheap on a vehicle in most cases. Especially how some use it on Broncos. For tool boxes, running boards and such fine, but some of what I see made from it makes me want to hurl!

Here is what I can see against it:

• Hard to polish/clean when it eventually looses its luster
• Hard to mount items on its surface or get nice screw placement since it is not flat
• Often a moisture/mud trap the way its applied
• Its just too damn gaudy!

Its always amazed me that Rocky Roads puts all that crap on their overpriced rigs...and people buy them?

I hope that it soon goes the way of the day-glo pink and zebra stripes of the 80'!

Of course thats just my personal taste and obviously some think it looks very cool ?:? %) ;D

 

[bronko69er]

When I installed my ZF, I fabbed up an entire tunnel cover out of AL diamond plate, turned out really nice. I like the overlay stuff, I cut out a piece for my glovebox, ash tray, steering column bezel, and stereo hole cover (where all my switches go now) and the 3 cover plates on my liftgate. I also did the fenders.
I definatley would ever put it over fresh paint and body work though.
Hope I didn't induce any hurling ;D

One thing I like about it on the fender is I have a place to put oily or brake fluid covered tools/rags without worring about it eating my paint.

 

[SACHEM]

I each his own but I consider it tacky. Like shag rug is to the 1970's, Diamond plate will be to the 1990-2000's. Depending on how it is used, it can be used to date bodywork and restos. On a side note, A freind of mine has it for door panels. I can't stand it. In the summer, it's like having a red hot cheese grater on your leg. If the sun is just right you can be blinded as well.

 

[trailpsycho]

I agree with Broncitis. Whenever people ask about it now, mostly I keep my mouth shut. I stated my objection and distaste for it a while back and I think the original poster worshipped the stuff. I was flamed for being negative.%) Just now, I tstarted typing how I really felt about it and it was all quite negative--lots of use of the delete key, so I will just say--dont do it, man! Let the Jeep guys use it.

If you absolutely need to use tread-plate, make it steel and paint it for God's sake. Bling is overrated!

 

[Goin Off Bronco]

Diamond Plate Tool boxes....yeck......Diamond Plate running boards..yeck.....Diamond plate trailer floors.....OK. Diamond Plate anything on a Bronco...........................NO!!!!

 

[fireman1749]

Ive got door panels and rear quarter panels....

 

[Broncitis]

I bet some of you guys must lust for the "Gladiator" (even the name of this line of products seems gay ;D ) garage refrigerator from Sears that has the diamond plate pattern stamped into the door skins? I saw that the other day and just %) ! I could not believe they wanted over $1K for that fridge basically just becasue it had the stamped doors (painted silver at that) and large tool box type casters. Without the non-functional door skin it would have been a $500 fridge at best. Its obvious that this form of gaudiness trancendes Broncos and can even be applied to home appliances!

http://www.gladiatorgw.com/list.asp?catID=5

 

[SACHEM]

I bet some of you guys must lust for the "Gladiator" (even the name of this line of products seems gay ;D ) garage refrigerator from Sears that has the diamond plate pattern stamped into the door skins? I saw that the other day and just %) ! I could not believe they wanted over $1K for that fridge basically just becasue it had the stamped doors (painted silver at that) and large tool box type casters. Without the non-functional door skin it would have been a $500 fridge at best. Its obvious that this form of gaudiness trancendes Broncos and can even be applied to home appliances!

http://www.gladiatorgw.com/list.asp?catID=5

i sold the crap out of that stuff when I worked at Lowe's. People always wanted it for thier "Harley Garages". When They sent us new displays I bought all the old ones for $50. Now I just need to get a house.

 

[ontherun]

whenever I find a' scrap of d.p. I screw it in wherever I find a' spot,.. I liiiiiike it!! WAHOOO!!!;D ;D ;D S.

 

[byson1]

Glad to see I'm not the only one who dislikes it. It kills me to see a 6 figure Bronco "fully restored" with no rust and then covered with this stuff. Granted, the rocker panels are the usual recipients but I bet you would never see a restored 60's era musle car with any kind of diamond plating. Let the rusty old Jeeps have it (and I actually own a CJ). The Bronco's deserve better IMHO

 

[Broncitis]

i sold the crap out of that stuff when I worked at Lowe's. People always wanted it for thier "Harley Garages". When They sent us new displays I bought all the old ones for $50. Now I just need to get a house.

Yeah, the HD crowd tends to like this stuff as well, but at least they don't usually put it on their bikes!

 

[deltarat]

When you put sheet metal over sheet metal, it collects moisture and dirt,causing it to rust faster.

 

[Tenacious-B]

I'm with most of you guys. I have a buddy who owns a CJ-5 and he put it on his rear quarters. He asked me what I thought, and all I could come up with to say was, 'Looks interesting'. I think he got the point.

 

[White Knight]

Diamond Plate

Yeah makes my rig look terrible (?) I have the door inserts and rear interior inserts.

 

[SACHEM]

Yeah makes my rig look terrible (?) I have the door inserts and rear interior inserts.

I can't believe you did that to your bronco!!!!! ;D While interior DP is not my personal favorite I can see why most do. At least it isn't on the outside drilled into every piece of sheetmetal. What you have actually serves a purpose and could be removed if your tastes change. Do a search fo DP early bronco on ebay and you'll see how many bling pieces there are. A few highlights are one thing but if one used all that it available....Well let us just say.....:-X

 

[Broncitis]

Yeah makes my rig look terrible (?) I have the door inserts and rear interior inserts.

No, the *Bronco* looks great! I think some nice brushed stainless or upholsterd panels would make it look even better though. But if you like them that's all that really counts and it really does not matter what I or anyone else things as long as you're not trying to sell it.

I made a comment about Rocky Roads in an earlier reply and thought I should mention that Mtfit bought some of his upholsterd rear inner quarter panels and matching door panels for the rig I built for him. When he told me where he got them I cringed as I thought they would be tacky as a result of seeing some of Shaun's other offerings like the DP parts and front prerunner fenders that look the rear fenders on our old SD dually. However, the panels Mtfit bought ended up be nicely made and actually looked very sharp and complimented the interior very nicely!

 

[TJK74]

Good Old Diamond Plate... Everyone has an opinion on it. I could remember when it used to be cool or the hot thing to add;D I'm not currently big on the diamond plate look though it was something that I didn't mind back in the late eighties when I added on my rocker covers to replace the stock trim and cover up the holes instead on cutting up the stock rocker trim. Well I have to say my rig still sports these dumb things though they will soon be replaced by some steel rock skis.;D ;D
any one want them I'll sell them to ya for cheap

 

[Flash69]

To each their own. If you like it thats great and if you dont thats great too. Thats what is great about these EBs. The owner can do them any way they want to.

 

[fwilder]

My dumb football team (U Oregon Ducks) put it on their damn uniforms. But, hell we take pride in having the ugliest uni's in the country. Go Ducks.