started painting fender flares (pics)

[kcyota]

I had planned on painting my fender flares black, but you guys talked me into painting them white. So I finally got around to starting it today.

What do you think? Should I continue, or should I go back to black?

Should I paint the mud flaps? What about the end caps of the running boards?

Before.....

After.....

 

[runrunner]

I would personally leave them black. The black flares break up the paint scheme some. If you want painted flares I would go with the limited style and ditch the running boards. Besides, the SR5 flares are textured and getting the paint to not flake off may be a challange.

I am sure you could sell the black flares or swap out for the limited style.

Just my $.02.

 

[pbcolt]

imo it looks great so far.

id paint the mud guards black but leave the running boards as is.

 

[panzer]

White

I like the white. Those pictures are from fairly far away, does it look good up close too?

I'd also vote on painting your mudflaps white too if you can get an elastic type paint that will adhere and not crack on the rubber mudflaps.

Take care.

 

[INSANEREINDEER]

I think they look better white then black.

 

[piperoo]

Before you paint all of that someone here could probably photoshop a picture for you and show you what the different combinations would look like. I think the white looks good.

 

[blcktpgsr]

white for me...go for it...are you having 'em painted or are you doing it yourself?

 

[brian2sun]

white looks cool, I'm thinking about doing this too.

 

[96743runner]

I'd say to finish painting them white. I think that it'll look better that way.

 

[Qyota]

White. However, the white you chose seems to be brighter than the stock color. Any way you could get a better match before proceeding?

 

[drinknmolson]

the white you used does look more bright than the factory a closer match would look a little better. I think it's going to look awesome white, paint those mud guards and leave the running boards black if you don't remove them. I think it's gonna look clean!! do the wheels too!!!!

 

[kcyota]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think I will go ahead and do them all white.

I'm painting them myself using Krylon Fusion. It says fully chip resistant after 7 days, so I guess we will see how it holds up. I first tried the Satin White but it was too white. So I switched to the Satin Dover White (which is an off-white) and it matched a lot better. It is just a bit bright like you guys said, but I think it will blend in ok.

I'll post picks when I'm all done.

 

[kcyota]

the white you used does look more bright than the factory a closer match would look a little better. I think it's going to look awesome white, paint those mud guards and leave the running boards black if you don't remove them. I think it's gonna look clean!! do the wheels too!!!!

I know I need to do the wheels too. All 4 wheels are corroded. I just can't decide if I should have them fixed (if that's possible), replace with new ones, or try to paint them.

 

[WrexHAmm]

I went to a local paint store and gave them my color for my silver flares. They were able to order 4 rattle cans for me to fix a front piece for me. This way you could match the color of your paint. It won't come out matching exact because your paint is probably faded a bit but it might be easier than trying random ones. Just a thought.

Oh, stay with the white. Looks sick! Nothing wrong with the black but it looks cheaper than the white.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

the white is turning out nicely

but yes get a paint shop to match your color code 056 and most folks will never even know it did not come that way from factory. You can buy stubby (short) paint cans to match the factory color, but I do not recall the maker.

It's coming along nicely!

As for the rims my son and I did ours and with the tires and weights and valve stems off. Lots of wire brushing and hand sanding and then we went with black enamel paint (high heat capability-like for a gas grill) they turned out just fine. Not perfect-hey we are amateurs at this- but perfectly acceptable.

Lots of good threads on this over on Yota Tech.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

My experience with flexible body panels like these is if you don't add a flex agent to the paint you are going to stand a decent chance of cracking or peeling of the paint.

Just something to think about before you put too much effort into it.

On a related note, if you remove the panels (which is the right way to do it) pick up the clips, rivets and rubber trim seal from Toyota before you start. The rivets (especially the ones on the quarter panel flare) are a little different than you run of the mill rivet. They are a multi flange rivet that has like four serrations in the shaft. I did not have real good luck with standard aluminum rivets.

Another note, the trim seal on the rear door panel originally had adhesive on the door side as well as the flare side. I just replaced mine and that is no longer true. You will have to clean up the remnants from the factory seal with adhesive remover.

And lastly, you can get the little clear bra piece that goes on the door flare from Toyota too. I got all my parts through my paint guy at cost so I'm not sure what it would cost if you went to a Toyota dealer off the street.

Good luck!