the classic mudflaps is pretty pliable and soft when installed. haven't finished the passenger side as it was cold in my "heated" garage(michigan winters). I don't think you can order it painted and installed in the build sheet.

 

All done!

 

how did the paint hold up

 

No signs of cracking nor peeling. Looks perfect even after snow and salt travel. Resistant to automatic car washes too.

 

picked up a new defender with gloss black trim. the flaps would be the only thing not gloss black.


did you buy the paint at a hardware store

 

I got the paint from automotivetouchup.com. They will mix the paint for you and it comes in aerosol spray cans.

 

I can see the minor improvement over the factory supplied finish, but looking at the photos, it seems like all that work involved in painting the flaps, then clear coating them, falls short when seeing them installed next to the high gloss finish of the lower trim pieces. If someone comes out with mud flaps or extended wheel arches in the same material/finish, I would definitely purchase them. I would love to upgrade to the extended arches, but the matte finish would take away from the high gloss trim pieces that they are juxtaposed with. And I had inquired at a paint shop the cost to have the matte arches painted, and the cost was laughable. If I’m going to be robbed, I would feel better if a gun was presented, instead of handing my money over voluntarily. If anyone knows of a supplier of NAS market gloss black extended wheel arches, please provide the info. EXCEPT if they are from Alibaba or Aliexpress. Bought one measly item from Aliexpress, and besides the interminable wait with no information or response to my requests for info, ever since my order I have been bombarded daily by scam emails, phishing attempts, and fraudulent emails posing as legitimate businesses. Several of these, EVERY day. Buyer beware.

 

It would have been more glossy if I tried to sand and make a smooth finish by making the material smoother. It would make it prone to peeling and cracking. The rough surface made it more resistant to both. Unless they sell it smooth then I'll probably would have ordered it.

 

The OEM classic flaps are made of ABS plastic, and ABS is fine to paint no bond issues. Although excessive bending will most likely cause cracks. Since the OEM flaps have a fine texture to them the only way to get a truly glossy finish would be to lightly sand them smooth, use a primer before basecoat and finish with clearcoat, using a heatgun between coats. Im sure it can be done but will require a good amount of work or a good paint shop. Curious to know how yours are holding up so far.

 

they are made out of some type rubber, not plastic