How do you keep tailgate supports from chipping paint?

[pollock]

I just got a killer black paint job on my 71, and I can't keep the tailgate supports from chipping the paint on the exposed sheet metal between the taillight and the tailgate.

I bought a pair of the little factory bumpers but they won't help because they are recessed too far in. The support hits the paint before it even reaches the bumper.

Are my supports just bent?