17 Sport Fender Flare Fix

Hi,
This is killing me to post but I'm getting used to the Long Bed Sport I just picked up 3 weeks ago and cut a corner to sharp and did this ⏬ to the color matched Frnder Flare. Does anyone have experience with either replacing these with new OEM ones or is the money better spent on getting a black set instead? Also, is this anything a body shop could fix or does the whole Flare need replacing?

 

If it were mine I would clean it really well to remove the scuffs and then touch up the missing paint. If you did it once this fast then chances are you will do it again

 

I have to think a good body shop could fix that. I had a white Trans Am when I was younger that got dicked up like that and the bodyshop was able to fix it and blend the paint to where you couldn't even tell. They said white was a pretty easy color to get matched and blend.

 

I'm hoping to learn from my mistake and cut corners a bit wider from now on!

 

If your thinking black set i would just clean it up best you can and plasti dip away !!!
You can always peel it off !!

 

Having a professional body shop do this repair might cost close to the price to replace. But then again I don't know how much a fender flare cost. Being a Toyota product I'm sure it's way over priced.

I'd look into gett'n a small bottle of Touch Up paint. Clean it well, maybe lightly sand w/2000 grit wet sand paper, only if it's rough, you want it smooth to the touch.

Considering the location, you should be able to do the touch up yourself. Just take your time! Might take a few coats.

Or......you could try what I just did. I just picked up my truck last Tuesday, Election Day, and as soon as I got it in my driveway I started my Prep work. Actually the following day since it was gett'n too late to start anything.

I also have the Sport model, but I prefer the Off Road's look with the Black Fender Flares and Black Fromt Valance.

So......I Plasti-Dipped them! Used 3 cans, about 8 - 10 coats! Very simple, and I can always change it back someday, if I so choose.

 

Yep, I hit a low sidewalk curb myself when I first got my 2016 access cab....no harm though.

I'd consult a body shop....advice and estimates are free.

 

Take it out in the woods, scuff up the rest of the body on some trails, and don't worry about it anymore.

Before long the sides of the truck will be covered in slush, so you won't notice it anyway.

And yes. The turning radius on these things stinks. While you can cut a bit short going forward, backing feels like moving a barge for a while. It makes my Highlander feel like a sports car.

 

Not mine

http://vermont.craigslist.org/pts/5855143159.html

 

Thats a steal

 

I know right? Price is even obo! You could get them off his hands for $150 easy!

 

Thanks for the feedback....Those black fenders look great! I'm curious to people's thoughts of plasti-dipping vs. buying a set of black fenders?! Is is strictly cost savings or are there other advantages/disadvantages to either?!
I would be petrified to coat them while still on the truck but I guess if you do the prep work there's nothing to worry about right ?!

 

Yes...you're awesome! Contacting now!

 

If you're concerned about it, touch up paint. If you get the black ones that come on the offroad model, they scratch really easily and you'll still be in the same position of it bugging you. Its just part of having a truck that isn't a garage queen.

 

Looking to meet up and buy those flares posted above. Thinking with having 2 sets I can plastidip the remaining 3 from the set and the one that's all scuffed up and have a set of each. My question now is has anyone taken off the flares on the new gen Tacomas and besides the bolts underneath holding them on, are there any other "surprises" waiting when the come off like clips, tape, etc?!

 

Thanks for the link? Had you seen these prior or did you just stumble across them after reading the post? Are you a New Englander?!

 

A lot of people on TW will slam you if you put spacers and blocks on a 35K truck but don't blink an eye into plasti-dipping their truck, I don't get it. Plasti dip is not that easy to come off if not applied correctly with adequate mils and it does not have any UV protection you would get with quality automotive finish. I'm for painting everything if color change is desired. I'm not putting anyone down who chooses to plasti dip because it is user friendly and cost effective but with the 35K rule I would go with paint. As a painter and body man your fender looks like an easy fix. $.02

 

I think the reason folks love Plasti-Dip is its easy to do, doesn't required a pro of an expensive shop, and you can always easily remove it.

I did like 8 - 10 coats, used 3 cans, so my cost was under $20. And that was for the Four Fender Flares and the Front Valance.

I agree with you about people in the business. Body shop/paint shop guys Hate Plasti-Dip and don't get why people love it so much.

Plus I think it's fun to do it yourself! It's pretty hard to screwup. It's not perfect by any means, but for the price it's hard to beat.

I've used it on 3 of my vehicles so far! Two of them I did about 3+ years ago, and it still looks great!

I ordered the TRD Pro Grille, and I didn't like that shiny black plastic look. So of course I immediately put 10 coats on it. Then I did the "TOYOTA" letters in a Dark Gray Plasti-Dip! IMO it looks much better now. Love that Matte Black.
Norma

 

I visited a couple body shops today and they said it's $200 to fix the fender on the truck and $350 to order a new one and have it painted.
They told me that Toyota uses a double sided tape on these flares and when removing a flare and putting a new one you won't get the same adhesiveness. Has anyone had any experience with this?

 

Your truck looks good with the black on white.