Fender Flare removal and painting

[Lyric]

Has anyone removed their fender flares and painted them black or performed a kevlar bed liner paint job?

I have a silver SR5 with matching fender flares. I was thinking about removing them and repainting them black or doing a nice kevlar truck bed liner on them. Has anyone performed this or know of anyone?

Possibly doing this a little on the front and rear bumpers.

 

[gaterose]

Javelin had a white 4Runner with black flares and eventually black front and rear (aftermarket) bumpers.

 

[OHP]

I need to do this because the driver side tops of my flares are faded. Plus, I think flat black flares would look good on my black sport. I've read on here that it is a real PITA to get the flares off.

 

[aha2988]

to get the back flares off you'll need to pop the inside panels to get to the clips that hold them to the body. the front flares you'll have to pull the whole fender off then detach the flare from the outer fender.

all in all its not that hard its just time consuming. you could also go to a hardware store like home depot and get masking paper and painters tape to mask off most of the vehicle and tape off the edges of what you want to paint.

 

[Lyric]

Yeah I think while off for Christmas break I will take a long look over it and decide what I want to do. I will post pics if I decide to do it and my finished product. Do you know how to get the black aftermarket bumpers?

Do you guys think black fender flares on a silver 4runner with black rims would look good?

 

[Lyric]

I need to do this because the driver side tops of my flares are faded. Plus, I think flat black flares would look good on my black sport. I've read on here that it is a real PITA to get the flares off.

Flat black would look good but I think truck bed liner like Line X would look nice. You can buy think stuff in a spray can form which works really nice and smooth. I sanded and coated my rims with this spray on bed liner and they look professionally done. It was a simple and smooth process. You can buy this spray on bed liner at places like Autozone, O'reillys and similar stores.

Here it is:

Dupli-Color® TR250 - Truck Bed Coating | O'Reilly Auto Parts

This stuff goes on smooth and nice. I have taken my 4Runner off road and bashed the heck out of my rims and the bed liner is still on them and looks great still.

I will be using this same stuff if I paint my fender flares for sure. No scratchs or anything. Will stay new looking and fresh new for years.

*And if you do happen to get a scratch or knick in the bed liner all you do is tape up and spray just the area affected and it fills in the area and you are unable to notice anything happened.

 

[NJshadow93]

Mask, Plasti-dip, matte clear coat, unmask, be happy.

 

[Lyric]

Mask, Plasti-dip, matte clear coat, unmask, be happy.

I would not plasti-dip only because it has the ability to peel easily if it gets brushed up or anything. Bed liner is perminant and stays strong. I have lots of friends who used plasti-dip with their kit cars and it flakes, peels and looks bad over time. While bed liner can take the thrashing, beating and everything all together. If bed liner happens to get a knick or whatever than it only needs a little spray touch up easily. Look at those who plasti-dip their rims because overtime they look bad. But those using bed liner they stay strong and new looking. This bed liner can be applied to be smooth looking or rough looking, it depends on how many applications and how much you put on between each application.

BUT no matter what do mask your vehicle good like NJshadow93 said because wind and everything carries paint in the air which will land on the vehicle.

 

[NJshadow93]

I used to have a 2003 4Runner with cladding and I Plasti-Dipped the entire plastic cladding. I didn't even clear coat it and it held up great, including a winter with salt, ice, etc. You're right, masking isn't 100% effective but overspray from Plasti Dip or anything really is not really a big deal, comes right off with a good clay bar.

If you do decide to Plasti Dip, the matte clear coat will definitely increase its durability and will allow you to wash it like you wash the rest of your car. I have seen many people who have Plasti-Dipped rims and have held up great over time, including many on this forum. I Plasti-Dipped the rims on my sister's car last year and they still look good. I'm certainly not arguing with you, I'm just sharing based on my experiences. I can see yours have been different. I was just offering a suggestion. It's your truck, do what makes you more comfortable. If you do decide to go with an extended process, take lots of pics and do a write up!

Here is when I Plasti-Dipped my old truck. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/110658-plasti-dip-cladding-black-03-4runner.html

 

[sooner02r1]

I did it on my 3rd gen and it was a HUUUUUGE pain. I wish I hadn't started it and left it alone. Probably have 20 hours in it at least. Turned out OK but not show quality by any means. But I suck at body work too.

 

[Asmara]

I did it on my 3rd gen and it was a HUUUUUGE pain. I wish I hadn't started it and left it alone. Probably have 20 hours in it at least. Turned out OK but not show quality by any means. But I suck at body work too.

Sooner is right. It's a pain, but doable. Here's a tread with some pictures mine when i removed them for painting.http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...e-fender-flare-without-breaking-anything.html