Fender flares

[Walker]

I'm ready for a set of painted to match fender flares, and am lookin' for the best deal. Should I go Mopar, pre-painted (which I heard were really Xenons); or go with Xenon's and have them painted myself. Which would be less expensive/most practical?

[I like the look of the Xenons best, so I have it narrowed down between the two. ]



I've heard others talk about putting a "flex" paint on them if you have someone else paint them. Do the Mopars have this already?



I've got a set of Warn's on my 96', and don't like the way the 3M tape (grey) shows around the flare, and it's also starting to peel and gap in between. Anybody know how those 'factory' flares on other pickups (i. e. Chevy's) are attached with such a 'clean' look and finish? Do they use tape as well?



Just want to get it right the first time.



Thanks

 

[EMDDIESEL]

You definatley want paint with a Flex agent on anything plastic. As for brands, Xenon is nice, also check out Bushwacker, they have a couple of different styles, so you will have more options.

 

[DAWG-1]

Xenons are very nice flares. They fit great and well look great. I put this on my '95. You will definately want a quality body shop to paint them and preping the paint on your truck and inside the outer lip on the flare before applying the sponge tape is critical. If either is not done correctly the outer edge will seperate from the truck. I installed EGR flares on my '01. They are about 3/8" wider than the Xenon. They look real close. EGR flares are a hard plastic type material. The Xenon flares are a very flexible rubber bumper material. I like them both.

 

[dieselburner]

Warn Flares

Ive got a set of Warn 4x4 flares on my truck. Some bozo ran into the side of me on the freeway while we were both going about 70. It caved in the front quarter panel of his compact car where he hit my flare. Left a little scuff mark on my Warn flare. No damage at all anywhere else. I'll keep the Warn Flares.

 

[Sky]

I got my BushWacker Exenda-flares at jcwhitney.com for $220. 00. You cant beat that price. Then I had them painted here at a local shop for 150. 00.

 

[OutbackDiesel]

I have the Mopar flares on mine. The paint has held up very well. The flares expand and contract quite a lot. The movement has left a couple small scuff marks where they attach, just above the tape. I think all of these flares will expand a lot with the direct sun on them. Two of them have stayed attached really well. One has very little tape still connected. I haven't found a solution for this yet. I called 3M (the makers of most automotive trim attachment tape) and they told me they have a VHB tape that will work better. I have the part number somewhere. I will post it if I can find it. I have not tried this tape yet though as I have not had the time.

 

[Walker]

Outback,

Let me know if you find the part # for the VHB tape. Definitely want the strong stuff.



Thanks

 

[TXRam]

Has anyone used mud flaps in combination with the fender flares?



I currently have the flat, anti-spray Dodge flaps - would like to keep them with the flares, but move them out to be even with the sides of the flares (currently even with the sides of the body). They mount with 5(?) screws screwed into the lip of the fender. I don't know how I would mount them with flares except to attach them to the flares themselves, which I don't think sounds like a good idea.



Any ideas?

 

[OutbackDiesel]

The part number for the tape is 4941, it's a VHB (very high bond) I guess. Anyway, they told me that Napa could get it. The rep at 3M told me that it would work better than the regular molding tape. I don't know if it poses any risk to the paint should you want to remove it later. I don't think it would but I have not tried it myself yet. If anyone decides to use it, let me know how it works for you. Also, the flares are supposed to be installed at around 70 degrees. I guess that's about mid expansion.