Any tips for removing fender flares properly/safely?

The service manual, as usual, leaves out the "real world" details of things. It says to use a heat lamp but don't overheat (lol). I don't have one, but I DO have a shrink tubing hot air gun. I suspect it puts out a lot more focused heat and would be wary of bringing it close to my truck exterior.

Anyone who has removed their fender flares have any hints for removal and reassembly? I want to get them vinyl wrapped black to break up the solid color down the side of my truck, but I hate the look of those flares with studs or visible bolts. TIA!

 

Take the bolt out inside the fender and pull them off. Don't be shy.

 

Just give em a good yank once the bolts are off. But then you'll be left with the sticky residue on your paint from the double sided adhesive tape.

May I ask why you're removing them?

 

put your truck in the sun too. softens everything up.

 

Remove the bolts and start from the front. 100% you're going to break clips so buy some of these ahead of time:

$8 AUTOLA Fender Flare Clip Kit 75495-35010 75397-35010 for Toyota 4Runner Tacoma RAV4 FJ Cruiser, Replacement Parts for Exterior Door Trim Panel Rear Plastic Fender Rocker Panels

https://www.amazon.com/AUTOLA-75495...20068643&sprefix=tacoma+fender,aps,224&sr=8-6

Slowly pull the fender off. There are a couple of tabs on the fronts in the bumper that can be difficult to get out so be careful with those. Work slowly but firmly.

You can do this while heating up the 3M adhesive tape with a hair dryer (safer than a heat gun) or do it after you pull off the fenders.

If you pull off the fenders first use this method for removing the adhesive residue:
1. Use the hairdryer as in my video: https://youtu.be/ASWhbQCVhk8
2. Use Goo Gone after to finish removing and additional residue
3. Use Iso Alcohol to remove any additional contaminants prior to installing the fenders

 

Remember that you will need to put automotive double-sided tape back onto your fenders so you will have to buy it and clean prep the fenders as well.

 

Places that di wrapping can usually do the flares while on the truck from what I was told.

 

Got a quote for that which was six to seven hundred bucks so I figured it's either going to be done by me or live with monocolor...

 

Crap, for that price you can almost buy brand new matte black ones from the dealer.

Not a bad idea to check offerup or craigslist. I bought an OEM set of the matte black OR flares that had some minor scratches from being shipped but couldn't be installed because they weren't pristine. I think I paid around $200-250 for them. I knew I was going to scratch them up so I didn't care. They came with the 3M adhesive tape and all the clips as well. I was also able to sell my old SSM painted ones for $150.

 

Good Video, short and to the point wish more were like it on YouTube.

 

Just snap em, here's a link to new ones

$9 Allmost for Compatible with 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma Fender Flare Retainer Clip 75495-35010 75397-35010 (Pack of 38)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K6QYLCW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8
They are made by ALLMOST, as in you ALLMOST didn't snap all those clips off

 

You will likely need some new clips.

 

I’d just mask it off and plasti-dip them honestly

But you could also wrap them yourself with some patience, you just have to be careful and patient while you cut the vinyl