Glad you mentioned this! This is mainly why I didn't want the painted flares to begin with. The Nitro's flares are HUGE and wide! I think the rock damage you're getting, is coming from other cars though. If driving too close behind large trucks or cars, you will become a victim of rock damage. I have one barely noticeable rock dent in my plastic fender flares. It's almost unavoidable really, and the only to combat this for those with painted fenders, is to purchase the "3M" paint protection kit. Which is a sheet of material that is laser cut by computer to exact size and dimensions of the Nitro. This has been discussed in another thread. Google 3M paint protection.