Everything You Need to Know About Fender Flares

Why Should You Paint Your Fender Flares?

While painting fender flares is a slick, factory-style touch, it isn’t necessary. Most modern fender flares are manufactured from heavy-duty plastics with integrated UV inhibitors, preventing the once-common fading, chalking, and oxidizing of black plastic trim. Then, what are the benefits of painting your fender flares? 

First and foremost, painting fender flares is an aesthetic modification. Most factory-installed fender flares are painted to match the vehicle’s body panels, and for good reason! This extra step creates a sleek, uniform appearance. Painted fender flares accentuate a vehicle’s body lines rather than breaking them up, as with unpainted flares. Applying this same concept to aftermarket fender flares produces similar results, allowing the flares to blend into the factory bodywork for seamless, OE-inspired looks. 

Aside from aesthetics, painting fender flares adds a layer of UV resistance, guarding the underlying plastics against unnecessary oxidation. 

If, at this point, you’re leaning toward painting your fender flares, let’s go over your options for color-matching.

Professional Vs. DIY Painting

Painting fender flares isn’t as simple as picking up a can of paint from your local hardware store and spray-bombing over plastic. Well, I suppose it could be, but the finish likely won't survive the first wash! Properly painting fender flares involves several tedious steps, professional-grade materials, and a clean workspace, which not every enthusiast has. 

With all of these factors in mind, you’ll need to choose between tackling the paint process yourself or paying a professional to handle the job. Both processes offer unique pros and cons; let’s look at some of the benefits and downsides of each.

Professional Painting

Professional painting involves locating a reputable shop and having its experienced techs perform the prep and paint process. This method has several upsides, including a guaranteed match, professional-grade results, zero labor yourself, and typically a warranty that covers things like the color match, paint adhesion, etc. This method does come with some downsides, however. 

First, professional painting is expensive. Most body shops charge between $500–$1,000 for paint and labor, not to mention the initial cost of the flares! Secondly, most body shops have a long waiting list. While the physical prep and paint process likely won't take more than two or three days, don’t be surprised if body shops are a few weeks out!

DIY Painting

Next, let’s discuss the benefits of painting fender flares at home. The most notable upside is price, considering you’ll only be out the cost of materials and tools; however, this price could easily add up to $200+ for sandpaper, adhesion promoter, base coat, and clear coat, and that’s assuming you have a clean area to work and some background in auto paint. Don’t worry if you’re a novice, however; in the next section, we’ll teach you the basic steps of painting fender flares yourself! 

Secondly, let’s talk about learned skill sets. When tackling any job yourself, you’re bound to pick up some skills and knowledge you’ll use in the future. Painting is no exception! 

Unfortunately, DIY painting does have some downsides. First, you likely won’t have professional-grade results; now, that isn’t to say the outcome won’t look excellent, just that the color match and final finish may not be as spot-on as a professional application. Secondly, expect to spend some time getting dirty. Sanding, priming, and painting are lengthy and messy processes you shouldn't rush; doing so can result in a less-than-desirable finish. 

So, which is your preferred method? If you’re willing to put in the time and effort necessary to paint your fender flares at home, read on for our expert's step-by-step process!

How to Paint Match Fender Flares

And now for the fun part, let’s get to painting! In this section, we’re covering the steps required to paint fender flares at home with quality results. While this process isn’t overly complicated, it’s important to take your time and follow these guidelines for a quality finish.

Step 1: Test Fit

Before attempting any paintwork, it’s essential to verify the fitment of your new fender flares. The last thing you’ll want is to spend your valuable time and money painting your flares, only to realize you’re dissatisfied with the fit after the fact! We recommend fitting each flare to the body before commencing any paintwork.

Step 2: Determine Your Vehicle’s Paint Code

Before ordering your paint and supplies, verify your vehicle’s paint code. This code, typically alphanumeric and approximately three digits long, can often be found on the sticker on the driver’s door jamb, in the glove box, or under the hood. Locating this code is essential to ensuring a solid color match, as it informs the exact mixture of pigments and metallics.

Step 3: Order Your Paint Supplies

With your vehicle’s paint code determined, it’s time to order your supplies! For first-timers and small at-home jobs, we recommend pre-packaged aerosol products to avoid the mess, cleanup, and additional price of paint guns, air compressors, water traps, and higher-end accessories.

Since we’re painting a plastic-based product, you’ll need both mechanical and chemical adhesion to prevent chips and peeling. To do so, we recommend a mixture of abrasives (220–320 grit sandpaper) and a plastic-specific adhesion promoter.  

Next, you’ll need a high-quality primer to ensure proper paint adhesion. We recommend a solvent-based primer, which you can purchase from conventional auto parts stores or professional-grade paint shops. 

We recommend solvent-based paint products as well, but make sure your paint is compatible with the primer to prevent chemical reactions and peeling/crinkling! You can either purchase pre-mixed, off-the-shelf cans in your vehicle’s paint code or have the code mixed in an aerosol can by a professional paint shop. If you go the latter route, you can opt for a single-stage paint (base and clear mixed) or a dual-stage (separate base and clear coats), though we’d recommend a dual-stage process to enhance coverage and depth. 

In addition to your paint products, you’ll need various safety and prep products, including: 

• A high-quality respirator

• Gloves

• Solvent for cleaning (mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol) 

• A tack cloth (for wiping overspray between coats) 

• Various sheets of sandpaper (ranging from 220-600 grit)

• Clean microfiber cloths

Step 4: Select an Ideal Painting Location

Before beginning our prep and paint process, you’ll need to find a clean, well-ventilated area to paint. This area must be devoid of dust, insects, and other potential contaminants. We’d recommend a well-ventilated garage or shop (with water heater and furnaces turned off) or a wide-open space without any messy trees, bushes, or other contaminants directly overhead. Try to keep the painting process far away from other vehicles, windows, and other items that would collect paint overspray. 

Additionally, you'll need to select days with a mild temperature (50–90 degrees) and low wind for best results.

Step 5: Prep Your Fender Flares

Before we lay primer and paint, it’s essential to prep your plastic fender flares. Considering flares may still be coated in a thin layer of mold released from manufacturing, clean the flares with a suitable cleaner like dish soap and water. 

Next, scuff the surface of the flares with 220 or 320-grit sandpaper to ensure proper adhesion. When sanding, be sure to cover every surface to be painted thoroughly, transforming the semi-gloss sheen of the factory flares to a uniform, matte finish. 

With your flares fully sanded, wash them once more with the dish soap and water solution. Once dry, wipe the flares with a clean microfiber cloth and your solvent of choice to remove oil and contaminants. Then, apply your adhesion promoter, making sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions to a tee. Be sure to mix the product thoroughly before applying.

Step 6: Prime Your Fender Flares

With the adhesion promoter dry, apply 2-3 coats of primer. Be sure to mix the product thoroughly before spraying. Follow the instructions carefully, though most primers require a light initial coat followed by 1-2 medium coats. Once the primer is sufficiently dry, sand the surface lightly with 400–600 grit sandpaper to remove any runs, dirt, or other imperfections, being mindful of sharp edges. If you burn through the primer to base plastic, clean the flare and apply an additional light coat of primer. 

With the primer dry and sanded smooth, clean the flares another time with dish soap and water. Be sure to use a clean, lint-free cloth.

Step 7: Apply Base Coat

Now is the fun part: applying a base coat! It’s at this point that we begin to see the fruits of our labor. Like the primer before, shake the base coat thoroughly before use. Then, apply a light first coat of paint, followed by 2-3 medium coats. The result should be even and provide full coverage. If you’re using a single-stage process, apply a final wet coat, and you’re finished! If you’re using a dual-stage process with separate base and clear coats, then it’s time to move on to our final paint step.

Step 8: Apply Clear Coat

Once the base coat is sufficiently dry (approximately 30 minutes), it’s time to add our clear coat! This high-gloss paint adds depth and luster to the flares to match your vehicle’s factory finish. Like the previous paints, shake the can thoroughly to mix, then apply one light coat followed by 1-2 medium coats. Depending on the brand/product, we'd recommend a final medium-wet coat to ensure a smooth, high-gloss finish, being mindful not to over-apply the product so much as to cause runs.

Step 9: Curing

With our flares painted, it’s time to place them in a clean, well-ventilated area to cure before installation. Depending on the coats of paint applied, outside temperature, and the products used, cure times will vary; however, 24–48 hours is typically sufficient for installation. For best results, we’d recommend waiting up to a week before installing, as the paint can remain soft and prone to fingerprints and scratches for weeks!

How to Install Fender Flares

With our flares painted and sufficiently cured, it’s time to install!

Step 1: Thoroughly Read Instructions

Before attempting installation, we recommend thoroughly reading through the included installation manual to ensure comprehension. This is also the ideal time to verify that no hardware or accessories are missing from the packaging.

Step 2: Assemble Flares (If Applicable)

While some fender flares are ready to install fresh out of the box, others require mild assembly of seals and faux fasteners. If required, carefully assemble your fender flares, being mindful of the fresh paint to prevent unsightly scratches.

Step 3: Mark and Drill Mounting Holes (If Applicable)

At this point, it’s time to mock up your flares and mark/drill any mounting holes (if required). If not, it’s time for final mounting!

Step 4: Install Fender Flares

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to mount up your freshly painted fender flares, being mindful of the fresh paint. Once installed, take a step back and admire your work!

Fender Flare Installation Resources

For additional information on fender flare installation, check the “Installation” section on your particular product’s page. We offer step-by-step installation videos for most of our fender flares, including: