Fender Flares Resurfacing to Black. '03 Tacoma

I have this silver '03 Tacoma and the black fender flares turn gray no matter what I clean them with. The best thing I have found is the Magic Eraser then apply some Back to Black, but this needs frequently repeated. This concern also applies to the panel under the front bumper, and with the bends and curves it is more difficult to work with.

I've seen advertised a product that you wipe on and it is supposed to restore the original black appearance. I also would consider removing these parts to clean and paint some semi-flat plastic paint.

I'm reading about a product named Forever Black that seems interesting.

$18 Forever Black Bumper & Trim Kit (NEW Improved Formula & Larger Size)

https://www.amazon.com/Forever-Bumper-Improved-Formula-Larger/dp/B00FAYLPZK?th=1

What might you guys be doing to refresh these parts?

 

Looks like a product that I've used on composite beds now named 3M Restore Black with a bottle of cleaner. It works like gel shoe polish. Relatively easy to apply with a foam paddle. Lasts about 6 months. I think auto parts stores still sell Restore Black. The packaging is different from the bottle in the picture.

While it worked well for a composite bed, I would be disappointed with a product that requires reapplication for wheel flares and bumper. I expect a treatment to last 10 years with periodic detailing using a product like 303.

I have been quite successful using a paint that is designed for and fuses plastic that would stand up to engine component temperatures. In the process of selecting product, I tried multiple types of regular paint that all started to peel off when baked at 200 f temperatures.

I wanted a product that would bond to plastic and rubber while holding up to high temps from the sun and not start peeling when the underlying plastic starts to release plasticizer from heat exposure.

There are several good products that are designed for restoring plastic trim in the Detailing section. As with any type of painting or restoration project, its all in the time spent during preparation that produces results.

 

Have you tried the heat-gun method?

 

An extensive and very helpful thread on this very topic by @CS_AR who posted #2, above.
Go to:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-trim-refurbish-job-pictures.603564/#post-20490517

To keep this to a single thread, I suggest no further postings HERE, but instead add your contributions at https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-trim-refurbish-job-pictures.603564/#post-20490517

 

Heat gun and you're done.

Careful though; you can easily deform them if you're too close and for too long.

 

The heat gun/torch improves the look for awhile, but about 6 months or less it does need to be done again ( in my experience.) There is only so much you can do short of getting a new set or painting them.

 

As suggested above I'm moving my discussion to:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wheel-trim-refurbish-job-pictures.603564/#post-20490517

 

Heat gun, but it doesn’t last forever

 

Take them off, scuff them down with a brillo pad and use this:

$22 SEM 39103 Black Original Flexible Bumper Coater Aerosol - 12 oz.

https://www.amazon.com/SEM-39103-Or...=1580704908&sprefix=sem+bumper,aps,213&sr=8-1

You'll wind up with this:

 

i used duplicolor bedliner and adhesion promoter. came out good with a not super aggressive texture

 

Black plastidip.

 

If you want a permanent solution remove them and take them to your local Line-X or Rhyno Liner dealer and for around $100 it's done and done. Wont chip or peal, doesn't fade, UV-X built in and comes with a lifetime warranty.

 

Mine quoted $100 per flare

 

Like others, I tried the heat gun, but it didn’t last. I finally just pulled them, sanded, and re-sprayed them truck bed coating. Huge (YUUUGE) improvement.

 

I just got a quote from Rhino, $250 for the four flares. I'm considering pulling the trigger and getting it done.

 

Just so you know, if you wax your truck you'll wanna not get any on the bedliner as it will turn white. To wax the paint near the liners as well as darken up the bedliner I use Turtlewax ICE liquid wax. Its expensive but lasts forever since I only use it on my rockers. I find it doesnt last at all for using on the paint, but it makes a good trim restorer haha.

 

What’s the brand of this one

 

X 2...... I need to do this....looks great and I bet it's very durable

 

I don't wax, and have had a Rhino bed liner in since ... geez getting old, probably 2004?, but thanks for the heads up. On the bed itself I use the Rhino Shine when it starts to fade, this is only after years of wear and tear on the bed, I don't expect do be doing this anytime soon on the flares.

This was Rhino Lining Vancouver Washington, $250. The finish is just about perfect. The guy suggested he spray the fender rubber molding gasket too. This looks great, but resulted in very minor imperfections on the fit. I'll post another picture when it's not raining. I did have to purchase new fender clips from Amazon. Overall very happy with the result.