Factory flares refinishing--Dye? Krylon fusion? Emu oil? What's the latest fad?

[fixizin]

My '99 black ext. cab "Sport" came with the gray flares + mudflaps... they've held up extremely well to intense UV in NV, AZ, and FL, but... are starting to get those cloudy white lines in them... will look even worse when I get ze truck painted... thinking of making them a flat/matte black against the (soon-to-be) shiny black... or maybe... TAN?

Seem to remember a few years back 'round these TRS parts, folks was enamored of some company's "plastic dye", as rattle can paint applied to that factory-molded pebble-grain was coming out not-so-great.

Anyway, fill me in, set me straight... thanks in advance.

 

[rubydist]

I had good luck painting a airbag cover with the vinyl dye paint stuff, but that doesn't get as much sun as the fender flares do. I would be really tempted to paint them gloss black like the truck as I always liked the Edge body colored flares.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

If you paint them, be sure to use a good adhesion promoter like SEM. Then a quality 2-part paint with hardener, and UV protective 2-part clear.

 

[Dirtman]

The dark grey bumper skirt on my truck had deep scratches in it and was also faded to crap so I took it off and after doing what I could with the scratches I went over the whole thing with a heat gun. I was amazed how well it looked after. The heat gun took all the dullness and white marks out of it. While it was still fairly hot I wiped it down with 303. That was a couple years ago and it still looks good.

Of course thats just to restore the natural color, if you wanna change the color I've had good luck with Krylon Fusion with an adhesion promoter first. I did a whole polyethylene kayak that way and the paint has held up surprisingly well.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I bought a Ranger that had faded factory fender flares. I masked them off right on the truck and painted them and the plastic bumper cover with satin black Krylon fusion paint. Looked like a new truck when I was done.

 

[fixizin]

WOW, phenomenal response--I LOVE THIS PLACE!

rubydist: I hear ya on the "Edge" look, but not sure gloss will work out with that pebble-grain finish.

Bird76Mojo: I'm not familiar with a single product you mention, but you sound like the kind of perfectionist I want painting my entire vehicle!

Dirtman: THAT there's some fine "outside the box" brain-sweat there, I'm not set on changing colors, just figured if I'm gonna COAT it anyway... SOOOooo... did the heat-gun "melt-down" the pebble-grain to smooth?? I might be able to borrow one...

TheOAKShisownself: says don't worry about "adhesion promoters", Krylon's got it built in! (Wipe down with alcohol or mineral spirits first, perhaps?)


Keep those great ideas coming--appreciate every one of them!

 

[Jim Oaks]

Krylon fusion does a good job. I've used it to freshen up black plastic tool boxes that mount in truck beds. You just need to clean it real good to remove any dirt, grease, or silicone that may have been left behind from tire shines. Alcohol works as a final wipe down.

 

[Bird76Mojo]

To resist fading and chipping over the long term, this stuff is AMAZING, but hold on to your wallet.

 

[fixizin]

Bird76: you need to be painting Ferraris, not Rangers... I can't afford coatings that are going to outlive ME, lol... (curious though, is this 2 parts in 1 can?... button on the bottom????)

Dirtman: The dark grey bumper skirt... that reminds me--my bumper is banged up, but everything I find at the U-Pick is even MORE banged up, so I'll probably wind up with a Craigslist special, or an overpriced aftermarket bumper, i.e. I got that whole big cap to PRACTICE/test on.

 

[Dirtman]

Using the heat gun doesn't melt the plastic "much" so you won't loose the texture if you do it right. Practicing on some junk parts would be a good idea if you're nervous about it. If you get too close or stay over one spot too long you can mess it up but it's not at all difficult to get the hang of.