Rugged Ridge | Magnetic Protection Panel Kit | 12300.53 | Fits 2007-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK 4-Door

I bought these for a specific trail ride that is known for its overgrowth and pinstriping. I don’t mind scratches on the Jeep, that means it gets used the way it was meant, but I did want to protect against deep gouges. These performed well. Stayed on at highway speeds. Very happy with them. I keep the door magnets on all the time just to give my black Jeep a little different look. I wash both the Jeep and the individual pieces.

I really wanted to like this product, but am now thinking about returning them. Two companies have recently announced magnetic paint protector panels--one got a SEMA award for their design but don't have them available for purchase yet: the other, RR, have theirs here on Amazon, so I went with what I could get.First impression was that they came really quick, just days after ordering, but the packaging is damaged. Not too surprising as they come shipped flat in a heavy, big, but fairly thin flat box. I'm not sure if they even came in the manufacturers original packaging as there were no graphics or manufacturer identifiers on any of the three layers of plain brown cardboard.OK, but how about the panels? Well they are fairly thick, and thus fairly stiff, I'd expect them to survive considerable abuse and provide protection from mild impacts as well as scratches. But this comes at a price of being quite heavy--I'd guess near 40 lbs. that's excessive for what they do and in the context off all the accumulated weight that also gets added to many Jeeps. That weight also makes it more difficult to hold these panels up during installation.The second issue that may be the deal breaker is tha RR says they must be stored horizontally flat. Come on guys, how many of us have a half door sized flat surface we can dedicate to their storage. And store them you must as the instructions state they should be removed from the vehicle daily, IIRC, likely to prevent moisture buildup occurring between the paint and magnetic inner surface which might result in hazing and possible rust. Really guys, on a week long trip to Moab I'm going to remove them very day, and wash and dry both them and the Jeep every day before putting them back on (for of course both surfaces must be scrupulously clean so nothing abrasive or moist gets trapped when the panels are reinstalled. So storage is an issue, they want the panels horizontal, they want them separated, they want them flat (and of course clean and dry) but RR does nothing to help us with that. For the rather considerable price of these things, at a minimum they should include a hard-sided case with internal,dividers that would allow them to be stored vertically. It is reported that the competitors panels will be shipped in a tube that will also serve as a storage container.I'm holding off sending them back as I hope first to talk with a RR rep at next weeks San MateoJeep Expo. If I keep them, I'll update this review wth in use info, if I don't, look for a omparative review after the competitors panels are releasedUpdate 1/12/2017I've had these for almost a year now. I've used them for extended trips to Moab and Colorado. I find the small under door pieces to be worse than worthless. They just don't have enough contact area to stay in place and are repeatedly moved about and on a few occasions have become detached. This doesn't do the paint any good at all. The rest of the panels remain firmly attached, both on the highway at sustained 90 mph and off road during contact with brush and small branches. They definitely provide protection for the areas they cover, but obviously aren't going to prevent scratches to the many areas of exposed paint that remain uncovered-- if you'll have your doors and top off, this won't.be much, but when they remain on, there is still a lot of paint that remains unprotected. Nonetheless for extended trips with a lot off time off road, I find the protection they offer to be worth the weight they add and the hassle of putting them on and cleaning them up when you take them off. For just a single day Offroad, I don't find myself willing to put up with the hassle.One thing for sure, people think they look "cool". I like the more aggressive look, and they elicit much positive attention from Jeepers and non Jeepers alike. Would I but them again? Probably, but only if I had a big trip coming up.The Smittybilt version finally came out at the end of 2016. Patterns and coverage appear very similar if not identical. Thickness is essentially the same I haven't had an opportunity to examine a set, but like that they can be rolled up for storage. Don't care for the fake bolt head graphics printed around the periphery of each panel, but that is just a matter of personal taste. I'll update this again if I should get the chance to mount and compare the twoUpdate 7/1/2017:I've reduced my rating down to one star, due to issue of longevity and potential paint damage. As I've said before, I find these way too much of a hassle to use for one day purposes (wash Jeep-unbox and wipe off paint side of panels, install each panel, then at end of day, rewash Jeep, remove each panel, wipe down paint side of panel, carefully re-box panels, quick detail Jeep to remove any sand/ dirt/ ferrous particles that had worked its way under edge of panels). But they do look good when installed (I've probably received more compliments on these panels than any other feature on the Jeep), and they do offer very real (though partial) protection from scratching by brush ("pin striping"), so I do use them for multi day trips to run trails and for overlanding. On such trips it is never realistic to remove and replace then each day (image trying to do so in Death Valley, the Mojave trail, even Moab). As a result the panels have occasionally been on for 10-15 days at a time. This last time the panels were on for 15 days and exposed to ambient temperatures exceeding 100 degrees (and likely much higher surface temperatures when stopped in the sun). When I went to remove the panels upon returning home, portions of two panels had adhered to the paint. Working very carefully with a clean soft plastic hardware scraper, I was able to separate the panels from the paint in some areas, but even after much painstaking work I was unable to remove the panels without having several patches of the magnetic layer of the panel remain, ruining the panel and requiring more delicate work to remove the adhered portions from the paint. Fortunately the magnetic material if relatively friable and I was able to crumble it off without paint damage. Of coarse two panels are now ruined, but I am relieved the paint looks fine. I'm hoping the individual panels can be replaced, but I question if I can ever feel confident again to use them in the only manner I find them useful (I.e., extended off road travel). Regardless, at present I find them a very poor value due to high cost, early failure, and the potential for greater damage to your paint than minor brush caused pin striping. It would be great if the manufacturer could improve the panels so that one could safely utilize the real protection they do offer.

Best thing I could’ve ordered for this JK. Stays put and really protects the paint while off roading. Plus, it looks great and easy to put on.

I bought these for the trails where i live. LOTS of Acacia thorns, heavy brush and trees here. These are worth every penny. I do wash my jeep before, wipe these down and lay them on. (You might have to remove your trail badge and reapply to be inline with the cutout of the panel permanently, use a hair dryer and a little patience.) When I get home I peel off the panels(or the next morning) wipe them and store them flat. Its tedious to do but small price to pay for not scratching up my jeep EVERY weekend or even worrying about it) the only negative is I can't leave them for a week at a time or permanently because they scratch the paint due to dust and dirt getting in. If you off road but still use as your DD. Its a great investment to save the paint longer.

They fly off. Don’t stick well at all. Can’t reach anyone to replace the ones that fell off. Not worth $234

Love the product, but two of the door panels had the same odd bubbling defect on the lower edge, so it never laid flat. As for the performance of the products, they work great; on the trails, your "daily driver" can get years of age in a single trip, with scuffs, minor dents, scratches, etc. that these panels work well to shrug off. I recommend them, but if there is a defect, don't expect much for customer service - they ignored me contacting them three different ways.

These are awesome! I throw them on the Jeep while I’m airing down and they give great protection against branches and scratches on those tight trails. Helps keep the paint job nice for a bit longer and adds a cool matte black finish to your jeep. 4 stars because the circle cutout for your trail rated badge doesn’t line up for some reason. See my 2nd pic

Excellent Product. Super Easy install!!! They come in a tubular shipping package...so once you take them out put on Jeep and allow sun to take out some of the "Roll" in the magnets. They dont sit flat at first because hey are shipped rolled up...but straighted out quickly. You must remove "Trail Rated" Emblem and reinstall after you install driver fender magnet....no biggie.