Fender flare gaskets. Why do we need them? Cheap alternative?

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DocuDude

DocuDude

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Painting fender flares that I bought used on Mud. Full set of flare gaskets are $120 something from cdan.

What purpose do they serve...to prevent water/rain/snow from getting trapped in the flare?

If so, could I use caulk to seal flares. Or drill a small hole in flare to allow water to come out. (I live in SoCal.....not much rain...never snow).

All ideas and info is appreciated.
:cheers:
 
I used caulk on one of mine. You can get black silicone caulk.. just tape off where you want both edges to be, use your finger to smooth it out, peel the tape about 20 minutes later. I did this about three years ago, no ill effects that I can tell. :meh:
 
Mitsubishi Montero SR, cheaper.:cheers:
 
There's a company called Bushwacker that makes aftermarket flares, and "universal" replacement trim.

Found their stuff on Google.

I've tried to email some of the vendors that stock the replacement trim for measurements/more info/etc, but none of them have returned my emails.
I have a really hard time ordering from places like that.

One of these days, I'll get a response and they might get 20 of my hard-earned dollars...
 
nakman said:
I used caulk on one of mine. You can get black silicone caulk.. just tape off where you want both edges to be, use your finger to smooth it out, peel the tape about 20 minutes later. I did this about three years ago, no ill effects that I can tell. :meh:
Click to expand...

Are you able to remove/reinstall your flares and keep the caulk in one piece?
 
sixsixnine said:
There's a company called Bushwacker that makes aftermarket flares, and "universal" replacement trim.

Found their stuff on Google.

I've tried to email some of the vendors that stock the replacement trim for measurements/more info/etc, but none of them have returned my emails.
I have a really hard time ordering from places like that.

One of these days, I'll get a response and they might get 20 of my hard-earned dollars...
Click to expand...

Let us know if you get a response, several of us are looking for options.:D
 
The gaskets really are more to protect the paint on your fenders. When I removed mine I found the PO did the black caulk trick but half the tube was inside my flare. Dirt, mud and grime will still find their way in with new gaskets. When I pulled mine they had etched a line through the paint on the fenders where they had been vibrating for years of traveling pretty much just like the roof rack feet did.

In my case you could not remove and reuse the caulking. IT peels off one or the other side and not so clean.


Montero gasket is interesting vasquez.... have your tried that or just read it? curious how well they fit

DOCUDUDE:
Are you looking for a pass. side flare or fender (which is the whole 1/4 panel)
I have a gasket kit I doubt ill be using. New in the bag.
 
I just replaced my flares after ripping them off on the Rubicon. I replaced the OEM molding with door edge molding. $12 clams for 25 ft of the stuff at PEP boys. For those of you that don't know, door edge molding is a flexible vinyl u-shaped channel with adhesive already inside. Just stick it to the edge of the flare and replace the flare. Super simple and cheap.

door_mold.jpg


I also replaced those plastic clips with machine screws and nuts. If I didn't have such a wide offset on my wheels and if the sheriffs in my neighborhood weren't such tools, I'd just rip all the flares off and be done with it.
 
sixsixnine said:
Are you able to remove/reinstall your flares and keep the caulk in one piece?
Click to expand...

No, it would be a new caulk job. I personally like the flares, so don't remove them.

But that door edge stuff ^^ looks pretty trick, I'd try that next time.
 
The gaskets prevent the flares from rubbing the body paint down to the bare metal, which prevents corrosion on the body (rust). The gaskets more importantly properly attach the flares against the body. The original gaskets for each side of the truck had adhesive tap that was placed in areas of the flares that would not set tight to the body. As supplies decreased, the gasket for one side was cataloged as also for the other side.

I have used both the original style replacement gaskets and the new style replacement gaskets. The original style gaskets holds the flares on much tighter than the new gaskets, but the new style is still acceptable.

If you do not want to pay the $$ for the oem gaskets, reuse the originals if they are not rotted. Leave them on the flares and use silicon, etc in the areas on the body where the original adhesive tap was. Usually the gasket's top area rots from the sun which can be trimmed off while the area sandwiched between the flare and body remains fine and reusable.
 
Last edited:
Napier precision products sells fender trim. Google him. $20 for 50ft. plus shipping.
AR
 
Again, the factory trim had adhesive on both sides to stick the flare to the body so it would not move and rub off the paint.

All the new options only have adhesive on one side.
 
mingles said:
Looks like good stuff based on the reviews. Amazon has it cheaper at $29 for a 25 foot roll.

Trim-Lok X1663BT-25 EPDM Dense Rubber with BT (3M) Bonded Foam Acrylic Tape System Fender Flare Trim, 0.227" Height, 25' Length: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
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I just bought this stuff and the adhesive side must be thinner the OEM because there is a slight gap between the body and the fender flare. My fender flares fit fine against the body before I removed them so I don't think they are warped or anything. I am going to try another option and see how that fits and report back...
 
Aragorn said:
I just bought this stuff and the adhesive side must be thinner the OEM because there is a slight gap between the body and the fender flare. My fender flares fit fine against the body before I removed them so I don't think they are warped or anything. I am going to try another option and see how that fits and report back...
Click to expand...

Did you end up finding something else?
 
houstonlndcrsr said:
Did you end up finding something else?
Click to expand...
forum.ih8mud.com

For Sale - Fender Flare Trim Gasket Set

I'm selling ozone resistant EPDM rubber OEM style 80 series fender flare trim gaskets. OEM Toyota trim gasket sets go for close to $150 shipped and I am not sure what they are now made of. EPDM is the rubber of choice for this part and will significantly outlast other materials. In the US I...
forum.ih8mud.com forum.ih8mud.com
 
gixxerjasen said:
forum.ih8mud.com

For Sale - Fender Flare Trim Gasket Set

I'm selling ozone resistant EPDM rubber OEM style 80 series fender flare trim gaskets. OEM Toyota trim gasket sets go for close to $150 shipped and I am not sure what they are now made of. EPDM is the rubber of choice for this part and will significantly outlast other materials. In the US I...
forum.ih8mud.com forum.ih8mud.com
Click to expand...

That's the same one Aragorn bought. He claims theres a slight gap between the body and the fender flare
 
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