Bad experience with Bushwacker fender flares

[Flyfishing]

You get what you pay for... NOT. I was led to believe that Bushwacker products were the "top of the line" but after having a set of their flares installed in Portland, OR. this past fall I found my paint job ruined on my '07 Ram. After only 5000 miles I took the flares off to clean up under them, only to find that the Bushwacker Flares wore through the clearcoat and well into the paint that no amount of buffing could remove. Apparently fine grit gets in-between the Bushwacker Flares and the fender. This acts like a fine sandpaper and wears through the paint in short order. I called Bushwacker customer service, an oxymoron, to ask about this problem and offer a solution, and frankly they were not interested in the solution. I then planned on using a bead of silicone between the Bushwacker flares and the fender and tried to purchase a few clips that, after a fashion, hold the Bushwacker Flares on. I was told that I had to go to a dealer. Well the closest dealer listed on their website was over 80 miles away. When I did manage, by chance to find a dealer they called Bushwacker and they said it would be $79 dollars for ALL of the fittings (a few sheet metal screws and a few clips)and that they could not sell just the clips... Bushwacked. I realise that most peaple will leave their flare on but beware, after the paint is worn through and your down to bare metal rust will form and you know the rest. I have never written about a company in a negative way before, but this company, Bushwacker cannot care less about the consumer and I would advise anyone that cares about their ride to think long and hard about the product and service from this company.

 

[bheiting]

I once saw a suggestion to apply 3M clear film under them for the very reason
you are talking about.

 

[SShafranko]

We just took a set off of my buddies truck in order to replace them with smaller flares. He has a line of bare metal behind every flare and they all had the rubber attached. The lines run at the top of the flare the entire length of the flare. They were on there for 25,000 miles. He is re-painting the truck! I think you will have this problem with almost all flares unless you take measures to prevent it before installing. Don't trust the flares alone!

 

[AWise]

I have always wondered about the possibility of them rubbing through the paint since they are a "no drill" fit and attach along the bottom. I always thought if I bought a set that I would use the 3M double sided automotive trim tape (I think it is called RED tape or something like that) along the contact point with the body, that should prevent ANY movement or rubbing.

 

[JBonpua]

I have always wondered about the possibility of them rubbing through the paint since they are a "no drill" fit and attach along the bottom. I always thought if I bought a set that I would use the 3M double sided automotive trim tape (I think it is called RED tape or something like that) along the contact point with the body, that should prevent ANY movement or rubbing.

Yep I found the same problem. It is not realy the flare’s fault since it is just attached from the bottom but Bushwacker should have warned their customers that this will happen and include a clear 3M tape. I bought some clear 3M tape from Geno’s and will be putting it on soon.

 

[Flyfishing]

I agree that Bushwacker should warn users of this problem but that would come under "customer service". Bushwacker "services" their customers allright but not in the way we expect.

When I first told Bushwacker about my problem they said they never heard of this occuring... Yeah right. I suggested a better design moulding extrusion that would secure the flare to the fender and eliminate the problem, trouble is Bushwacker does not see a problem that needs fixing. Why should Bushwacker worry about it, they got their money and the fact that it ruins the paint job is immaterial to them.

I'm sure that this may happen with other brand fender flares but maybe they have better customer service and are willing to improve their product.



Regards, Richard

 

[DonFitzwater]

What did you think was going to happen?

 

[hearingyourlies]

Hmmm ... maybe that using a product that is ostensibly there to protect paint it would actually do that?

The point of flares, if I recall, is to prevent paint damage ...

 

[HBarlow]

I've always assumed that if I select an aftermarket product and I install it on my truck I am responsible for the result. I never pay much attention to the advertising claims or even the written warranty of aftermarket auto products. The goal of their advertising is to influence the easily influenced and the purpose of their implied or written warranty is to create an impression while using language that provides them with an escape clause.

We live in an age where the average citizen has been brainwashed to believe someone else is always responsible and someone else should pay when things go wrong.

 

[Flyfishing]

OK. . I’ll bite.



Mr. Barlow.

Although I never mentioned Bushwacker's advertising claims or warranty policy, I thank you for assuming I did by bringing up the subject.

We, the “... easily influenced” on TDR would have never known, that; “The goal of their advertising (Bushwacker's?) is to influence the easily influenced and the purpose of their implied or written warranty is to create an impression while using language that provides them with an escape clause. ” What follows is word of mouth advertising... Bushwacker has a product that can be improved to prevent damage to the vehicle, brought on by their product. Bushwacker said they don't have a problem... Caveat Emptor.

Again I thank you for the benefit of your knoweledge, though I don't totally agree with it, but I believe advertising is much more sophisticated than you would have us believe… but your reply is off topic, not part of a solution, and would have been more appropriate in the Politic forum, maybe titled “Truth in Advertising”. Perhaps you should campaign to make your reply a “sticky” on all forums to prevent any “average citizen” from ever again being taken advantage of again by said companies.



Sincerely,

Richard Martel

 

[juicedcummins]

I had mine on for under 3000 miles and they rubbed through the clearcaot in that time. They were pulled off and the powerwagon flares went on.

Bushwacker flares are not truck protection if someone is thinking of buying them.

 

[LFarmer]

I installed mine mostly for looks but they do provide a little protection from tire debris. I installed them with the idea that they are now a permenant fixture of the truck. The quality of the fit and finish of the product is superb. I don't think anyone could expect that the blunt edge of the flair could not scratch the paint.

 

[JBallou]

Even the factory ones that come with the Laramie package leave the same marks, much to my dismay when I wanted to remove them. Should Chrysler have done a better job? Yes, but then again they and I cannot think of everything all the time.

Not a fan of fender flairs on much that is stock width.

Sorry to hear of your experience. Now feel sorry for me.

 

[AClayton]

OK. . I’ll bite.



Mr. Barlow.

Although I never mentioned Bushwacker's advertising claims or warranty policy, I thank you for assuming I did by bringing up the subject.

We, the “... easily influenced” on TDR would have never known, that; “The goal of their advertising (Bushwacker's?) is to influence the easily influenced and the purpose of their implied or written warranty is to create an impression while using language that provides them with an escape clause. ” What follows is word of mouth advertising... Bushwacker has a product that can be improved to prevent damage to the vehicle, brought on by their product. Bushwacker said they don't have a problem... Caveat Emptor.

Again I thank you for the benefit of your knoweledge, though I don't totally agree with it, but I believe advertising is much more sophisticated than you would have us believe… but your reply is off topic, not part of a solution, and would have been more appropriate in the Politic forum, maybe titled “Truth in Advertising”. Perhaps you should campaign to make your reply a “sticky” on all forums to prevent any “average citizen” from ever again being taken advantage of again by said companies.



Sincerely,

Richard Martel

I somewhat agree with what HB said... . although not very tactful. It is the responsibilty of the buyer to 'educate' him/herself of the product they wish to purchase. If I purchased a product such as this and installed it myself... as I have before... . said installer 'SHOULD' realize that paint wear will result. Would you expect the Company to re-imburse you the cost of re-painting your truck back to new as a good will gesture of Customer Service?Good-luck with that and let me know how that works out for you!!You were not taken advantage of at all!!!



Alan

 

[DocDetonancour]

? on the pocket flares. Do the decortive screws remove for painting? Want a set for my 04 and will be looking at painting them. Doc

 

[Flyfishing]

Alan,

I did realize that there was the potential for wear, that was one of the reasons that prompted me to remove the flares when I got home. I'm glad I did or the damage would have been much worse. I did not install the product myself. It was installed at one of Bushwackers dealers while I was in Portland where Bushwackers are manufactured.



I can only believe that I have not made my argument clear in the OP. Let me attempt to clarify my point.



1. I did not call Bushwacker and and complain. I said I had a problem caused by their product.



2. I suggested a "fix" for the problem.



3. I did not ask Bushwacker for my money back.



4. I did not ask Bushwacker to repaint my fenders or truck.



5. I'm posting this experience with Bushwacker, to "educate" prospective buyers. "... buyer to 'educate' him/herself of the product they wish to purchase. "



6. Other people are having the same problem with Bushwacker flares.



7. As it stands now, Bushwacker flares will wear through your paint in a short period of time if attatched as recommended by Bushwacker.



8. Bushwacker, at this time, does not acknowledge a problem caused by their flares.



I trust this clears up any misunderstanding.



regards, Richard

 

[Flyfishing]

LFARMER,



I agree with you that the fit of Bushwacker flares are excellent or superb. I don't agree on the finish unless you mean their apperance. The ' finish' would be if they had a descent trim moulding that would both adhere to the flare AND fender, then their product would be 'finished'.



Richard

 

['strokeThis_'07]

Even the factory ones that come with the Laramie package leave the same marks, much to my dismay when I wanted to remove them. Should Chrysler have done a better job? Yes, but then again they and I cannot think of everything all the time.



Not a fan of fender flairs on much that is stock width.



Sorry to hear of your experience. Now feel sorry for me.

Which flares are you referring to, as the Laramie package itself doesnt include flares. Are we talking chrome mouldings? Power Wagon flares? Any of these would be dealer add ons if bought new with them on.



As for the Bushwackers, does anybody have a pic of the outer edge, where the rubber trim goes, from the inside of the flare? i. e. the part of which is rubbing through? Ive been thinking of getting some, but if theres a lip that turns back, Id think some emblem tape would solve the problem. If someone could snap a pic or has seen one thatd be great

 

[DonFitzwater]

I figured since everyone knows that plastic bedliners eat up the paint it was implied that fender flares would do the same.

 

[Flyfishing]

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