Painting fender flares and running boards?
 

Hi all;

My '96 Limited is painted up in that deep red with silver flares and running board accents. I've found myself getting tired of it...

What I'm thinking I want to do is to repaint the flares and trim in a flat dull black or charcoal.

(now come the ream of questions...)

Is this even possible? Is it worthwhile? Can I expect something like an epoxy paint to really stick to the parts without chipping in a month?

Is the plastic that's there molded into that color, or are these painted as well? Can I do something like this myself, or should I just pull the pieces and then take them to a pro?


Thanks for any hints and babble!

Mark

I recently bought bushwackers and painted them myself for under $35 and I was quoted close to $200 from a pro. The process is fairly simple. I went to Pep Boys and looked up the color of my truck in the import color section of the Plastic-Kote paint guide. I also have the dark red color you have. I bought a few cans of paint, one big can of bumper and trim primer, one large can of clear coat, and some super fine 600 grit sandpaper. I sanded the flares lightly, primed and painted. Make sure to take your time and spray evenly. This will take you several coats making sure the paint does not puddle. Be patient, that is the key. Tomorrow I put on the clear coat. The flares look great and perfectly match my truck. I am very satisfied. Any more questions send me an email. Hope this helps ya.

This is excellent news! I'll take a trip to the autofolks around here and start shopping a paint color. What I think I'll do is a get a couple of sheets of styrene and test some colors. It's too cold outside for me to do this for real...

I'm psyched! Thanks man!

Mark

I would REALLY like to see a photo when you done. I was thinking about the same thing but wasn't sure if it would turn out.

I'll be happy to post up pics, but it'll probably be a while. The airtemp in the northwest these days is too cold to trust that paint will get a good stick going, and I'm in an apartment, so there's no garage to work in.

Though... there is a bathtub for washing, a canvas tarp and the living room floor... hmmmm...

Either way, yeup, I'll post up pics. The one thing that may get done this weekend is a test painting of some styrene and holding it up to the truck for a look. That may be a good point to start up web page!

Mark

I'll post pics of the finished product after I get done this weekend. I painted my bug deflector and spoiler to match today. They look great. When it is all done I will post pics. I'm very excited about the transformation and up tp this point very satisfied as well.

Hey there! How'd the painting go? I did some tests using some plastic sheets and I found the color I want. So, now I'm starting to itch to get in there and do it. :)

would that clear coat stuff work on Aluminum alloy rims?

Go to
www.eastwoodcompany.com
The clear spray they sell for wheels and any metal is called Diamond Clear.
Won't yellow, chip or peel. They have new annodized colors too...tons of refinishing/restoring products.
:nerd: butnut

I'm all done painting and tomorrow I will do the install, can't wait!:welder:
I swear i will post pics soon, sorry it has taken this long.
-Chris

That's excellent news Chris, congrats!... Thanks for the update. No rush on pics, I was basically more curious if you thought that the method was valid - and it seems like you do!

Thanks!

Here are some pics of my 4runner with the bugflector, spoiler, and flares (uninstalled) newly painted. It wasn't that difficult to do, it just took awhile.

http://pics.montypics.com/momo76/200.../grill_new.jpg http://pics.montypics.com/momo76/200...ed_spoiler.jpg http://pics.montypics.com/momo76/2003-01-15/flare1.jpg http://pics.montypics.com/momo76/2003-01-15/flare2.jpg

Put 'em on already
 

Nice match. When are you putting them on?

Looks great Chris! Thanks for the pics and congrats again!

My running boards are coming off this week, and my flares are heading for the bathtub for a good wash!

Hopefully this weekend if the weather permits. Everytime I get any spare time to do the install, the sky opens up and pisses on my parade (I really, really want a garage). This weekend looks like a winner though.