Originally Posted by Camdisco24

As these trucks get older, one of the first things to show age is the plastic fender flare arches. Its a common problem, but an easy fix. If your arches are getting rough and turning gray, don't pay nearly $400 to have them replaced! Just follow these steps and repaint them yourself, you'll really like the outcome, and you don't even have to take them off.

Here's what you'll need
-2 Cans of Black paint from the list below (Flat or Satin, your choice)
-Fine grit sandpaper (220-400 grit)
-Ammonia or rubbing alcohol to clean/prep arches
-Old newspaper and some painters tape

For the paint, you must use a good quality paint for plastic. I wouldn't go cheap here because you won't like how it holds up 2 years from now. A majority of the people who have done this used Krylon Fusion or Rustoleum Universal Plastic paint. Flat or Satin is up to you, I personally liked the Rustoleum satin because it was close to the original finish of the arches. Below is a list of paints that have been used successfully by other members:

-Krylon Fusion
-Rustoleum Universal Plastic Paint
-Dupli-Color Bumper Coating (Found at Autozone)
-Dupont Single stage paint (If you're really serious)
-Plastikote-Bumper Color Paint
-Bondo Easy Finish Bumper Black



First, sand the arches and take your time doing this. The smoother the better. When you think they are smooth enough, do it one more time. It may help to finish it off with with a lighter grit sandpaper depending how rough they are. For example, Start with 220 grit and finish with 400. The picture below the taping step shows what they will look like after taping and sanding too.

Next, wipe down the arches with ammonia or rubbing alcohol. This will get off all the sanding residue, armorall, or that back to black stuff you tried before resorting to painting.

Next tape off the arches with painters tape and newspaper to give you more room to spray. Some people have taken the arches off to repaint them, but I've been told they'll never go on quite the same so I avoided doing that. When taping, take your time. You don't want black paint beyond the arches. Mine may look like overkill, but it was worth it:



Now that your arches are perfectly clean and nicely taped off, you can begin to paint. Do a bunch of VERY LIGHT coats. I'm talking 7 or 8. Make sure you let it dry between coats. It takes more time, but the end result is worth it. You will also have better, even coverage that way.



Once the paint is dry, remove the tape and newspaper and enjoy your nice BLACK fender flares!


(Proceed with painting at your own risk)

Originally Posted by DiscoIIBrandon

Hey guys, I decided to join in on the fun and painted my flares this weekend. They really didn't look that bad and the color wasn't that faded, but they were pitted pretty bad (and still are in some areas) and I said, why not?

Total Cost from scratch: $22.40
Total time: 4 hours (can be done quicker or take longer)

Wal-mart - newspaper ($1), Rub alcohol ($1), sand paper 400grit ($3.27), sand paper 200 grit ($3.27), scotch painters tape ($3), Rust-oleum sandable primer ($4.27)
Advance Auto - Dupli color Bumper Coating ($6.59)

2-3 coats of primer, 4 light coats of bumper spray

(and yes I have leaky bags)

Originally Posted by BGuetter

Good post! I was going to refinish mine so i took them off the truck to do the prep work. I ended up liking the no-flare look so i left them off.

Originally Posted by bcolins

Wonder if you might have a pic of your DII without the fender flares.

Brian