How To Paint Fender Flares
So you've been shopping around for some brand new fender flares for your truck and the ones you found need to be painted in order to achieve the look you want. Don't let this deter you from purchasing these flender flares that need to painted. It is not as difficult as it sounds.
Bushwacker Fender Flares
When painting your fender flares, ensure you are using a quality product that is designed for automotive finishes. Don't cut corners and buy some cheap garbage or you'll end up with high quality fender flares that look horrible. Quality is king, so ensure you have the best paint and primer availalbe. A few things to avoid are loctite, superglue or similar products.
It is recommended that you paint your fender flares prior to installation.
- An Adhesive promoter is required
- Your color coat should be a high quality enamel or polyurethane automotive paint - don't cut corners here!
- If you took our advice and purchased high quality paint, you should already be covered here, but you'll also want to ensure your paint has a flex additive - this will prevent your paint from cracking.
- Use a high-grade degreaser and lightly clean the outer surface. *Do not use laquer thinner or enamel reducer!
- If you want, you can also use a 180 grit sand paper to knock the texture down first - this will depend on the flare you have purchased
- Next you'll want to wipe down the outer surface of the flar with a tack rag prior to painting.
- Apply the adhesion promoter to the surface of the flares
- Paint flares with a polypropylene primer, and let the primer flash (use high build primer)
- Sand lightly and apply second coat of primer as needed to get the desired result
- Super light sanding with 600 grit scotch brite pad
- Wipe with a tack rag
- Paint flares using your color coat
- Apply clear coat
If you have flares that are already painted or you want to paint your flares a new color, DO NOT TRY REMOVE THE PAINT FROM AN ALREADY PAINTED FLARE! Instead, lightly sand, prime and re-paint the flare.