Painting Stainless Chome fender trim.

[DaveMorris]

Guys,

I have a red/ silver two tone and have been trying to find some fender flares that I can paint silver to finish out what dodge started with the paint scheme.



Here is my problem, I don't want to loose the Mopar molded mud flaps, and I don't want a flare that stickes out more than 1/2" (since I don't plan on increasing tire size).



Since I haven't found anything that would fit these requirements I thought about this.



Buy some stainless chome wheel flares (the half fender style), sand blast and paint them silver. This would be just enough flare to connect the silver, but still allow me to keep my flaps. The only thing I am worried about is if the flare will be to thin (height wise) and the truck would not look right with such a narrow strip of silver over the wells. Any comments, suggestions, ideas???





thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[y-knot]

I know what you are trying to do, up not sure if it is the way to do it. Most would buy a quality fiberglass fender flair that is small with regard to width. You don't want to loose the Dodge mud flap, why? What would prevent you from re-installing the flap after the flair? Also, there are plenty of places to get a mud flap, but few place to get a flair. Maybe your first priority should be to secure a quality flair, when work on replacing the mud flap?

Any how if you thing the Eyebrows are the route you should go, then try it. They are relatively cheap, and readily available. I just threw a set away last week. The ones you most often see are Stainless Steel, Geno's sells them and they run around 50 bucks. The black rubber trim on their outsides will easily come off and allow you to pain them. To get the paint to stick, you will need to spray them with some self-etching primer, then follow up with a final coat. If you are trying to match a factory color, most have a base coat clear coat system. Which just means you need to give the guy at the paint (professional automotive paint supplier) store the paint code to the color you want. Then also get some clear, and what ever you need to shoot the stuff.



I am not sure I would go thru all this for something that is questionable as far as looks? But hey you might be on to something new and hot, who knows?



There is also no reason you couldn't take a fender flair and remove some of it's bottom. Where ever it is that you would like the flair to stop, cut it off and sand the end to make it look stock, it might work for you? What ever you do, good luck.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Wow, a guy who's thinking EXACTLY like I am! Like Dave Morris I have bemoaned the fact all the aftermarket flares are WAYY TOO FLIPPIN FAAT and just some nice trim will do just fine thank-you-very-much!!!



Dave I have thought of your idea, but one major downside is it's probably easy to ding or dent the stainless, then you've got a set of "flares" you've invested in that cannot take much abuse to speak of. Although I've never seen a set and maybe they are heavy enough gauge to withstand some impact.



I have a Pat. Blue over silver truck and like you, would like to "finish" out my paint scheme.



Vaughn

 

[y-knot]

They are very tough,having been made of Stainless steel I think they would take much more abuse then a traditional fender flair. I take it that you are concerned with rock, mud and such road Debera.

 

[Hummin Cummins]

If you're talking about the "eyebrow" flairs like Geno's sells, yes they are tough. I had a set on my full size blazer for 4 years. I want to do the same thing with mine. Take them from stainless to black.

Chris

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

Saw a short bed standard cab in a dealers lot on the way home tonight, it had some small looking flares on it and it was in the "NEW" section of trucks. Might be worht a call to see if something is coming on late 04. 5's , or a dealer available item thru Mopar parts. Otherwise , do the eyebrows cover the whole fender opening,sure would look good in a black wrinkle finish paint !

 

[Hawkeye 04]

Have you considered these? http://www.aztrucks.com/Product.asp?Product=20 They don't seem to stick out very far at all.

 

[DaveMorris]

Thanks for the link, but those still will cause issure with the molded mud flaps. I know some think flaps should be second, but I like the looks of the Mopar flaps and to make any of the flares (I have seen so far) fit they would have to be altered quite a bit, and altering plastic does not always have the best out come.



I have a blaster cabinet at home and a good buddy that is a body man to spray them, but I will probably take my chances with a spray can of silver touch up first since I can always reblast them for a "do-over" if needed.



If I only had some power that would match the factory silver and I could powder coat them instead... . (have to justify my home toys) ... .



Thanks all, Vaughn I will let you know how it turns out when I do it.



Dave