4th gen front wheel wells

Since the front wheel wells on my 4th gen Tacoma SR5 4X4 seem to be lined with the same felt composite material as the flimsy under-engine cover (non-skidplate). I'd like to try to strengthen them while still clean and undamaged. My question to those with related experience is, would spray-on plasti-dip or bed liner be an appropriate coating for that material? It appears that the OEM-shaped material could be easily removed and re-installed for application. Thoughts?
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Maybe this rainx stuff

 

So Steve, are you saying I should treat the wheel wells like fabric and carpet? Maybe you're right.

 

I’d try it for shits and giggles. Edit: Silicone spray, maybe.

 

This is highly advanced sound deadening mouse fur. I have a bunch of German cars with square miles of that shit all over the undercarriage. It is some pretty damn strong stuff and just as durable as the cheap shit Mexican plastic they were using on the third generations.

 

My Ranger had this fabric in the wheel arches. It’s very strong, very durable. I went through a number of snowy, icy long winters with it holding out very well. My advice: wait until it fails (I don’t think it will).

 

I don't like the material but I don't doubt that it is strong and undamaged will last the life of the vehicle. Might not be too fluid film friendly for people who treat their frame, or who knows it might hold up to FF. I don't really like that cheap plastic either I just know water isn't going to anything to it.

 

It does look like it belongs in the interior and not on the outside.

 

Do you think it will hold-up to a pressure washer as long as I keep the nozzle at a fair distance?

 

I'd try to avoid pressure washing if possible. Maybe after Toyota offers the washable floor on the Trailhunter they will offer offroad front fender liners.

 

I don't think I'll be holding my breath for either. Maybe I can shame RCI into an aftermarket steel version.

 

I use the ones at the self car washes to blast salt and mud off.

 

My wifes Hyundai has that carpet crap on the wheel wells , I hate it . I was going to paint it , spray bed liner on it , tar it , something to get rid of it but so far havent . If I get a 4th gen , that will be the first "mod" I do , wheel well carpet removal.

 

I guess I couldn't leave well enough alone. As a test, shown below, I used the "not-a-skid plate" of the same felt composite material and sprayed 4-5 coats of black plasti-dip rubberized coating onto 1/2 of the fuzzy side identical to the wheel well liners. It soaked it up instantly and dryed very quickly. So I used a full can (5-6 light coats) on each front wheel well lining after brushing and vacuuming. Will it have a lasting benefit? I'm not sure. But at least I no longer have a fuzzy porous surface to absorb mud & grit. (BTW, I replaced the test piece with an RCI steel skid plate.)

 

any good pictures of the wheel well results?

 

OK thefinalstraw, here are a couple of pics of the treated front wheel wells. The only visual difference is a slightly blacker color. Unfortunately, my "touchy/feely app" isn't working right now. If it were, you'd be able to feel that the surface is a harder & rubbery finish, not the previous softer felty OEM surface. 'Not sure what you were expecting, but no difference in appearance. BTW, my cost was $12 for 2 cans of Plasti-dip and an hour of time, well worth the effort just to see if it would make mud removal a bit easier.

 

doesnt look like you did much...

 

thanks for taking the time to get the pics!

 

Not supposed to be an appearance mod. So yea it isn’t going to look much different. He even stated it looks the same. @DRB777 let us know how it works out next time you clean them.