Whats the final verdict on fender flare restoration?

707kevin

100% More Rubicon!
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Plastic Paint? Prime?
Brands?

Mine (rubicon) are in excellect shape except for the finish. Dull, faded, a couple scuffs but no gouges.

Thinking of removing them, cleaning up under them and refinishing them.

What works well and whats not worth the time?
 
My flares were very dull and faded when I first bought my Jeep. I had bigger priorities to conquer before replacing them with armor, such as rebuilding the transfer case and replacing the cracked head. So, I took the Plastidip route. I can say it looks a ton better, but by no means would I say this is the end all be all of refinishing.

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Krylon Fusion "All in One" paint or replace them. Krylon prep consists of cleaning them good with rubbing alcohol. No need to remove them either. Slide some dollar store kiddie construction paper behind them.
p.s. I sold my original Rubicon flares for some RC flares that are the exact same width. The only downfall is they have @John Cooper's brother Rick's initials on them. I'm hoping that gets a discount on a white Rubicon very soon. 🥳

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I used a torch on mine and they look great, however mine now stays in the garage so I can’t attest to how this method holds up to the sun after heat
 
I've used the heat gun trick and that works for a while, but will eventually return to faded. Anything you apply to them by wiping it on is only a short term solution. Painting is really the only thing that works, but then you.re susceptible to scratching. The good news there is doing touch up work is relatively easy. Of course there is a buy new flares option, but with good Rubicon flares I'd be keeping those!
 
I actually tried Rustoleum Wipe-New trim restorer on my flares back in May and it’s held up well so far. I’ll get a pic of how they currently look tomorrow.
 
Plastic Paint? Prime?
Brands?

Mine (rubicon) are in excellect shape except for the finish. Dull, faded, a couple scuffs but no gouges.

Thinking of removing them, cleaning up under them and refinishing them.

What works well and whats not worth the time?
Post 9,739 asking the same exact question and you will get the same exact stupid and wrong responses that every other one gets saying that various dressings or heat will work. They won't, not for very long, you have to paint them. IMNSHO SEM Bumper Coater (https://www.semproducts.com/product/bumper-coatertm-aerosols) is the best product but I've been wrong before. Pick one you like then follow the manufacturers directions for cleaning and application to the tee and you won't go very wrong.
 
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Post 9,739 asking the same exact question and you will get the same exact stupid and wrong responses that every other one gets saying that various dressings or heat will work. They won't, not for very long, you have to paint them. IMNSHO SEM Bumper Coater (https://www.semproducts.com/product/bumper-coatertm-aerosols) is the best product but I've been wrong before. Pick one you like then follow the manufacturers directions for cleaning and application to the tee and you won't go very wrong.

X2

Pick a SEM product that looks appropriate for your desires and follow the instructions.
 
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Thanks @TRevs & @steelhd - I'll plan this direction. I understand prep is key, painted many things.

I'll see if I can clean things up without removing, but there is a TON of pollen and fir needles jammed in the space between the flare and the sheetmetal and it's starting to mildew.
 
I’d remove the flares to paint them. It’s not hard, and you’ll get better coverage with the paint. Also, all that debris might start rusting your fender.
 
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X2

Pick a SEM product that looks appropriate for your desires and follow the instructions.

X3

I removed my flares and prepped and painted with SEM Landau Black. Cleared over them with SEM Low Luster. I was happy with the results.
 
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I just redid mine since they were off for the savvy slider install. I could have used a better base but it was fine for what it was.

Wet sanded with 400 grit to smooth everything out, laid down a couple coats of Rustoleum primer/filler, two coats of ACE satin enamel, and two coats of Rustoleum 2x satin clear. Came out really really good.

I used clear for longevity, UV resistance and protection because while I use my Jeep, I like it looking good. I just came back from a wheeling trip with lots of bush whacking and mud. After cleaning it up there wasn’t a scratch on them. So it seems the clear is plenty stout.

Since I know they’ll get beat up I used the cheap ACE base but if mine was a light trail rig I would have used something like SEM.
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