Hey everyone. I have a stock 1997 4Runner Limited in Desert Dune with the Silver flares. I've been thinking of painting the flares, lower front valence, and license plate surround all Desert Dune to match the sheet metal. Has anyone done this? If so, can you please post up some pictures? What are some opinions on my suggested colour scheme? After all these years of ownership, I feel like I want to make my 4Runner more unique.

Also, I've been reading that painted plastic trim will not match the body colour 100% even if painted with the same paint at the same time. Is this true? What if the body shop put a primer on the plastic parts first and then base/clear coat? Does anyone with colour matched Limited models notice colour variations between the plastic flares and trim when compared to the sheet metal? Thanks in advance!

 

I personally don't care for the two tone look, so I like your idea, but you probably won't be able to have an exact match to your 12 year old paint. A good shop should be able to come quite close & since the flares are separated by a rubber welt any difference will be barely noticeable.

If properly prepared, there should be no difference in color when painted with the same paint. Plastic on older cars required different paints, but newer primers & paints allow the same paint to be used.

 

Thanks for the response SoCalPaul. My 4Runner is garage kept and I try to park undercover when possible, so hopefully my paint is not too faded for being 12 years old.

I've been contemplating removing the parts I want painted myself to save some $$, but I'm quite intimidated by the posts I've read about the limited flares having many clips that break.

 

check out cardomain.com or view the 3rd gen 4runner members pages here on this site.

 

My mom's '02 Sport Edition has color-keyed everything (in Sunfire Red Pearl). The running boards, fender flares etc. do not look different from the metal body.





This car has never been garaged, and the color differences aren't noticeable to me. But it's a darker color than silver, so I don't know how it would work on your 4Runner. And I know yours is a few years older, too.