Fender Flare Paint?

[GT_Hatchback]

Hey guys I popped my fender flares off last night in hope of painting them the same color as my truck...instead of the dull grey they already are...do you guys think I should go through the trouble and get the expensive paint and have somebody paint them or just buy a good can of spray paint that matches my paint and paint it myself???

 

[racinranger]

here's the deal, my 08 fx4 has the textured grey fenders. my 98 has the smoother grey unpainted flares. i painted the 98's after sanding priming/sanding priming/ sanding priming/ and so on. i used some flex agent in the paint and they held just OK. there is just to much oil being extruded from the pplastic for paint to like it.

 

[1badexplorer]

I sprayed mine to match my truck when I painted it. I just wiped them down with wax and grease remover then sprayed adheasion promoter on them (it's about $20 at any autoparts that sells painting supplies comes in a spray can)then shot them to match the truck. It's been a year and a half and the paint still looks great. I also did my door handles and locks and tailgate handle at the sametime

 

[GT_Hatchback]

yeah I was gonna hit my door handles and tailgate latch while i was at it...so no sanding or anything for the flares?? do you think I can just pick up a can of gloss black somewhere and spray them? (well plus the adhesion promoter and cleaning stuff)

 

[badbronc92]

i know a guy who painted his plastic fenders black which is what I'm considering doing myself. He just washed them, wiped them down with alcohol, and used many cans of krylon fusion satin black. I think about 5-6 light coats and it looks awesome. It's lasted a year so far with no fading or blemishes so we'll see.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2972337

 

[CapK2]

I've painted several sets of fender flares with good results. Start by washing and scotchbriting the flare. Scotchbrite just enough to kill any glaze on the surface. Wipe down with a good paint precleaner. Do not use laquer thinner!
Alchohol is OK, but pre-cleano is better. Then wash with soap and water again. I use diswashing soap as it will remove wax and grease. Rinse well and dry. Next spray with adhesion promoter ( a friend of mine owns a paint supply store and refers to this as glue in a can). You can then use a primer/sealer and paint. If you use a basecoat/clearcoat urethane you do not need to add a flex additive. If you use enamel paint you do need flex additive, but it can make the color not match as well. I have only done this with smooth flares, my current Ranger has the rough texture and I don't think it would look as good with a high-gloss finish. I just painted mine black with the Krylon Fusion plastic paint, and so far it's holding up well.

Hope this helps.

John

 

[94redranger]

Anyone have pics of their painted flares that match the body paint? Also anyone know what if any the type of paint for 93-97 factory grey flares?

 

[powerranger262]

This is krylon fusion satin black on the valance, flares, bedrails, and toolbox.

 

[94redranger]

Nice! Anyone with some more pics of colours like red, blue etc?

 

[SnowOptix]

This is krylon fusion satin black on the valance, flares, bedrails, and toolbox.

Are those textured surfaces?

 

[powerranger262]

Are those textured surfaces?

Yep.

 

[Woovie]

Doing this today! Thanks everyone for the tips/explanations!

 

[Woovie]

Another quick question - how the hell do I remove these suckers easily ? It has those damned plastic one way ****s and I had to remove them with a needle nose and a tough pair of pliers, and now they're ruined and I need a new pair. Am I doing it wrong ?

 

[daniel3507]

I have never been able to remove those things without destroying them

 

[powerranger262]

Yeah, I cut mine off too. Just get new ones.