Paint or replace fender

I was rear ended about 9 years ago and had to have a new rear fender put on and painted. They color matched ok however now it is fading and looking like shit. Even has some of the clear coming off. Would it be cheaper to look for a fender off of a wrecked taco or get just a fender repainted? I don't like driving something around that looks like crap...this truck is like my baby....lol

 

Depends on who and what you know in regard to painting and what you can find at a junkyard

 

Maybe get a quote from a shop to paint it, and then go and see if you can easily find one for less at a junkyard

 

A rear fender I assume you mean a bedside....it's not a bolt on deal its a weld on endeavor. If the paint is bad then have it fixed an resprayed. Did yout have it done by your insurance companies recommended pro shop? Usually thru will warranty the repair..

 

Yeah they had to weld another bedside on. It wasn't my fault however it was repaired through Allstate. I called the collision center that did it. They told me to call the insurance company. Would they even repair something 8 or 9 years old?

 

I assume for a first gen taco? If so, man I would just get it painted after shopping around. First gen tacos have to have the bedside cut off if I remember right...atleast it was for mine when I went glass. I recommend just paying someone to do it right.

 

Unlikely, although some insurance companies do offer a lifetime guarantee. Maybe that's why they told you to call them?

It's worth the call.

Otherwise, I'd get a better shop to do a repaint/blend to freshen it up.

 

Yeah I was just worried about it not matching with new paint... I'll try to give Allstate a call.....it will take me hours to go dig through my storage shed to find the damn claim paperwork.

 

Any good shop will have the paint - it's whether or not they could match the fade that has probably taken place on the other panels over time. I'd sand it down and do all the prep work like masking if you know how to do that - or ask them what would save you money and do it.