Fender Flares - Reuse Old or Replace with New? (1 Viewer)

[Tyland Cruiser]

Planning on having my 80 painted sometime in the next year or two and am acquiring some of the OEM parts for that job (weather stripping, rubber plugs, etc.). I need to replace one damaged front fender flare and am wondering what others have experienced in removing, repainting, and reinstalling the flares. Are there any issues with reusing otherwise undamaged flares? Should I plan on relacing all of them with new because of their age and/or difficulty in removing, repainting, and reinstalling without issues.

 

[truthdetector]

If they come off clean without affecting where the hardware mounts, there is no need to replace them.

I ruined all of my flares when I removed them due to rusty hardware.

 

[Tyland Cruiser]

If they come off clean without affecting where the hardware mounts, there is no need to replace them.

I ruined all of my flares when I removed them due to rusty hardware.

Thank you. Rusty hardware is very likely with mine. Was it impossible to remove the rusty hardware without damage, or just a lot easier way to get the flares off? In other words, does rusty hardware make damaging the flares inevitable ?

 

[mudgudgeon]

Yeah, rusty hardware is likely to be a problem

Most of the hardware can be found new.

New OEM flares I'm pretty sure are NLA.

If you're going to replace one, you're stuck either trying to source good used, or buying a set of new aftermarket.
If you can find ones you like the look of

 

[mudgudgeon]

does rusty hardware make damaging the flares inevitable ?

Makes it highly likely.

The threaded studs are set into slots in the fiberglass. The fiberglass yeilds before the rusty studs.

 

[Tyland Cruiser]

Yeah, rusty hardware is likely to be a problem

Most of the hardware can be found new.

New OEM flares I'm pretty sure are NLA.

If you're going to replace one, you're stuck either trying to source good used, or buying a set of new aftermarket.
If you can find ones you like the look of

Thank you. OEM flares are still available. They're pricey, though. Which is why I am asking and why I am starting early to acquire the parts I need so I can do so over time.

 

[BILT4ME]

Thank you. OEM flares are still available. They're pricey, though. Which is why I am asking and why I am starting early to acquire the parts I need so I can do so over time.

Depending on your year, there are 4 different versions.
91-92
93-94
95-97 Toyota
96-97 LX450