painted fender flares

[1fast_e]

Ive been lurking around this sight for sometime now and decided to register after reading the great feedback you all have given to folks.
I have a 98 Azure SR5. Love the truck and have never had one issue other than the routine scheduled maintence.
I just put 31's on last week and thought it needed something else.(Fenderflares)
Now to the question: I order the Bushwacker extend a flares and wondering if anyone has painted them and if so how do the yhold up to being paint. I am concerned about chipping or flaking.

 

[1fast_e]

sorry, one more question.
If I go ahead and paint them, Should I run w/ the same color or something else?
Suggestions and pics if has them.

Thanks again.

 

[ebelen1]

I don't have personal experience but did a bunch of research as I wanted to do this as well. From the PM's I received, no one had issues w/ painting the Bushwackers or installing them.

From the pics I've seen, they look just like the limited flares but does not require drilling into the body like the limited flares do. It's a nice mod but after buying them, painting them and install, you're looking a pretty decent chunk of change. If I had to estimate, I'm looking at $700.

 

[profuse007]

just find the right primer for plastics, like SEM paint.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I had my friend paint my Bushwackers on my '97 and they looked nice,definetly paint 'em and if painted properly (my friend is a professional) they will hold paint just as good as OEM.

I'll try to get a hold of my friend and ask him the deatails by the weekend.

 

[1fast_e]

I had my friend paint my Bushwackers on my '97 and they looked nice,definetly paint 'em and if painted properly (my friend is a professional) they will hold paint just as good as OEM.

I'll try to get a hold of my friend and ask him the deatails by the weekend.

Thanks to all of you for the feedback.
Now I just have to decide on a color.

 

[neliconcept]

could always paint the lower trim like a limited as well..

are these bigger flares like the limited and sport sr5s? or is it the black rubber trip

 

[8ac1v1c]

if you decide to DIY the install.....spare no expense at prepping, priming, sanding, and clearcoating.

I've done some bodywork using good 'ol rattle cans, and it came out fine. I found, though, being cheap on the clearcoat will mess it up in the long run.

-Prep the part by lightly sanding (using 600 w/d grit) then cleaning thoroughly with a tacky cloth and soapy water.

-Prime and sand

-usually I would use some spot or glaze putty, but since this is a new part...I might skip based on judgement

-Prime again and wet sand

-Clean it up with tacky cloth

-Spray 2 coats of paint

-Wet sand with high grit (1100 wet and dry)

-Spray top coats of paint (again)

-Wet sand with high grit (1100 wet and dry) again.

then go buck-wild on some clearcoat (4-5 coats if by rattle can). And one clean sweep of high grit wetsanding.


It could take a day or two - but you'll feel really good that you did it yourself.

For the best effect - hang the flares on some stretched coathangers or something, when you're spraying. This will help to avoid any unnoticed "masking" caused by newspaper folds, grass, etc.



I've been thinkning about spraying my flares - but if I do - it'll be in flat black tectured paint.

 

[1fast_e]

could always paint the lower trim like a limited as well..

are these bigger flares like the limited and sport sr5s? or is it the black rubber trip

They are like the Limited flares. I thought about the same color just concerned about too much blue.If it would be over kill or not.

 

[1fast_e]

if you decide to DIY the install.....spare no expense at prepping, priming, sanding, and clearcoating.

I've done some bodywork using good 'ol rattle cans, and it came out fine. I found, though, being cheap on the clearcoat will mess it up in the long run.

-Prep the part by lightly sanding (using 600 w/d grit) then cleaning thoroughly with a tacky cloth and soapy water.

-Prime and sand

-usually I would use some spot or glaze putty, but since this is a new part...I might skip based on judgement

-Prime again and wet sand

-Clean it up with tacky cloth

-Spray 2 coats of paint

-Wet sand with high grit (1100 wet and dry)

-Spray top coats of paint (again)

-Wet sand with high grit (1100 wet and dry) again.

then go buck-wild on some clearcoat (4-5 coats if by rattle can). And one clean sweep of high grit wetsanding.


It could take a day or two - but you'll feel really good that you did it yourself.

For the best effect - hang the flares on some stretched coathangers or something, when you're spraying. This will help to avoid any unnoticed "masking" caused by newspaper folds, grass, etc.



I've been thinkning about spraying my flares - but if I do - it'll be in flat black tectured paint.

Thanks for the great info. I am thinking of having the shop paint them and I will do the extra clearcoat myself.
A

 

[1fast_e]

Got them installed. Should I paint them or leave em alone?

 

[neliconcept]

on that color imo id leave em alone.

best thing to do is kinda put a blue sheet or something over it to see what they would sort of look like from a distance.

they do look mighty fine though

 

[1fast_e]

Thanks, The more I look at the more its growing on me.

 

[ebelen1]

Got them installed. Should I paint them or leave em alone?

Are those bushwackers? They look smaller to me than the limited flares. Do you have some closer pics?

Either way, I think it looks good black. Unless you plan on matching other pieces such as your bumper, I'd leave them the way they are.

 

[1fast_e]

Are those bushwackers? They look smaller to me than the limited flares. Do you have some closer pics?

Either way, I think it looks good black. Unless you plan on matching other pieces such as your bumper, I'd leave them the way they are.

They are the Extend a Flare. I think there was a set bigger though.

 

[02sport]

I'd say leave 'em black. looks good!!

 

[broncosi]

Are those bushwackers? They look smaller to me than the limited flares.

yea really they just look like sr5 flares.

you should paint them an intresting color thats not stock for fender flares for 4runners

 

[ebelen1]

They are the Extend a Flare. I think there was a set bigger though.

I looked at the pic again and they are bigger than SR5 flares. Also, I'm not sure if bushwackers make a bigger set of flares but I doubt it.

To me, they look good but they don't look as beefy as the limited flares look b/c they're not painted. The bushwackers I've seen have been painted so they look like the limited flares. Something to think about but w/ your color, it looks good as is...

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I like the Bushwackers over the Limited since they don't stick out so far past the width of the wheels and are a nice fit inbetween the pre '00 SR5 flares and the Limiteds.