Everything You Need To Know About Custom Fender Flares

These days it has become common to get a widebody kit for your car that makes your ride look more aggressive. The main drawback, however, is the hefty price bills these widebody kits have and require many modifications to the car for installation making it impractical to most users. However, there is an alternative called Fender Flares, also referred to as Fender Moulding. The Fender flares is a plastic or metal piece that extends over the wheel well for heavily offset or oversized wheels and tires, and in some cars are a standard feature or for an upgraded kit. These trims can make your car look meaner and leaner while also acting as protection from rocks, rubble, and debris that can affect your precious paintwork while costing very little effort and money to replace.

They can be bolted right onto the car fender above the wheel well and usually also have similar pieces for the rear quarter-panel above the rear wheels.

Fender flares come in a variety of different styles to match any vehicle types be it an extreme off-roader or a cargo-hauling pickup truck. However, the two main types are:

• OEM Fender Flares - They are mouldings that come standard on a particular truck or SUV model.
• Pocket Fender Flares Or Riveted Fender Flares - Typically has a rugged, exposed hardware look to them where bolts are visible, but purely decorative. Many pocket-style fender flares are able to be custom painted.
• Street Style Flares - They’re low profile so they're unobtrusive and some may add a touch of extra coverage for slightly wider tire combos.
• Cut-Out Fender Flares - They are designed to extend and cover very large wheels.

Here are some of the advantages of having Fender flares:

• The main purposes of the Fender flares are; they act as an extension of the Fenders that provides additional coverage for heavily offset or oversized wheels and tires.
• Fender Flares will keep a truck or SUV in compliance with Vehicle Equipment Laws, which lowers the likelihood of Police fines, which may be levied upon widebody kit users.
• They also help retain resale value by deflecting rocks and debris away from the vehicle’s body. By installing these, you are protecting your investment as well as adhering to tire coverage laws.
• Fender flares also give the advantage of styling your vehicle for a unique limited-edition look. Most Flares come ready to paint out of the box, which gives you the ability to style your vehicle in a variety of different ways. Besides painting, you can also Line-X, Rhino line, or Kevlar coat them. They come in a variety of styles, from low profile to big and bold. Most Flares do not require any cutting or drilling and use pre-existing factory holes to fasten securely.

The primary focus of the Fender flares is to protect the other important bodywork of the car from rocks and debris thrown by the tread on the offset tires which can greatly damage the vehicle sides. In doing so the flares take all the abuse and get tattered up overtime. These are stuck on in most cases, using tape which expires after prolonged use and causes the moulding to fall off the body or fender. They also allow significant dirt and grime accumulation which can eventually corrode the metal panels.

With prolonged use these mouldings will show signs of deterioration and the elements can take their toll on these plastic pieces. They look worn out and tattered and the most obvious sign may be that they start hanging off the bodywork due to lack of adhesion. They also crack on impacts. These are mainly used for protection purposes and hence replacing them would not only increase protection but also enhance the overall styling of the vehicle.

To avoid scratching the precious paintwork on the car while removing the Fender flares and to refit it make sure to use the following tools:

• Gloves
• Screwdriver
• Plastic Scraper
• Pliers
• Ratchet
• Socket Set

Most of the people have a nature to avoid risk and seek safety. That is the reason why they would go with a familiar auto parts brand than a new one. It would prove to be safe and they know what to expect. Have a look at our top brands for Fender Flares which would offer safety and at the same time decrease the risk of disappointment.

Fab Fours Custom Fender Flares

For a customized look that also adds structural protection to the vehicle consider buying other moldings and related parts such as:

• Auto Door Mouldings
• Car Door Shell
• Grille Moulding
• Front Bumper Moulding
• Rear Bumper Moulding
• Tailgate Mouldings
• Car Fender
• Wheel Well

Fender flares are a great addition to any truck or SUV as they greatly enhance the overall look of the vehicle making it look tougher and more aggressive while also protecting the bodywork. There is not much in terms of maintenance that can be done on such elements but cleaning them regularly will surely prolong their life. The fender flares come in a variety of different styles and sizes to match anyone's preference. They are a great investment as they are much cheaper than widebody kits while offering a similar mean look. The price range varies from around 200-700 dollars.

Changing the Fender flare requires a little persistence and the right tools. Follow along these steps for an easy removal process:

• In case of Stuck-On Fender flares: Use a plastic scraper and insert it between the fender and the moulding and gently scrape off the moulding from the tape underneath. This will require a little persistence but should come right off. Alternatively, you can use a heat gun or a hairdryer to heat the surface of the moulding which will warm up the glue and help reduce the effort required to remove the moulding.
• Once the moulding is off and if the tape is still adhered to the surface of the vehicle, use a plastic scraper to remove all the gunk before installing the new moulding.
• To apply the new moulding, use 3M double-sided tape and stick the moulding in line with the tape. Apply a little pressure to make sure the adhesion is strong.
• In case of Bolt-On Fender flares: Find all the bolts on the moulding. Some may also be found in the wheel well.
• Undo all the bolts using a ratchet and the appropriate socket. The mouldings should come right off.
• Installing the new moulding may require certain modifications depending on the moulding type.
• Make necessary adjustments and bolt the new fender flare in place.

Different trucks have varying procedures but typically follow the same methods. Make sure to refer to the owner’s manual or mounting guide that comes with the fender flares for better understanding while removal and refitting.