Let's talk about de-flaring the LX450 (some more)

[schadenfreude]

Hey everyone, "new" old member here. Sold my 80 in 2016 or 17 and regretted it for awhile. Just scooped up a 97 LX450, triple locked with about 178,000 miles on it. Anyways, when I had my Toyota, I de-flared it and really liked the look. On those, I don't remember the exact number but I think it's like 60 holes that you need to fill. I welded each one, sanded it down, and did a black rubberized coating across the whole lower half. Coincidentally following the lines that the cladding on the Lexus follows. It came out great, and it has held up very well according to the current owner. Now, on the Lexus, I'm tracking it's something like 250 holes and they don't all have access from behind the panel. No way am I welding all those up... but I do have another idea which I didn't see anyone mentioning: What about using some kind of plastic interior push fastener to plug all the holes? If you pick the slimmest one you can find and then coat over it with a thick, textured finish, I think it would be pretty well hidden. It would be more for function than cosmetics, anyhow. I think if you pick the right size push fastener, and put a thick enough coating over it, should be good enough to keep the elements out. What do you guys think? I don't think this one would work, but here's an example of what I'm talking about:

https://www.autozone.com/screws-pins-and-clips/interior-panel-retainer/p/crown-automotive-jeep-replacement-black-plastic-door-panel-retainer-oe-replacement/1359497_0_0?searchText=plastic+fastener

PS: Glad to be back in an 80!

 

[Broski]

Fiberglass impregnated Bondo.

 

[CharlieS]

I don't recall the username, but I chatted with someone here on mud that did exactly what you suggested wifh plastic plugs. It looked great on his dark colored 80.

Mine's not a immaculate street car, so what I did isn't probably that useful to people who want aesthetically perfect. I got a small section of automotive vinyl that was close to my vehicle color and a circle punch from a craft store (both off ebay). I punched out circles of vinyl and put them over the flare holes. For my use, it is great. Super easy to replace if there is trail damage. Keeps water out. Blends in until you look up close.

 

[Outsane]

I printed these out of a flexible material

I also did one for the antenna.


There are about 6 different shapes.

I would need some pictures to male the ones for the paneling.

Fender flare plugs

Fender flare plugs for the FZJ80 or FJ80 Kits are now universal Printed in flexible material, they easily pop in. Various shapes are included to cover 1 vehicle. Does not include LX450 plastic panels. Diagram available for download at https://solvefunction.com/shop/ols/products/flare-plug-diagram

solvefunction.com

 

[schadenfreude]

I printed these out of a flexible material

I think these would do the trick just fine! When I'm done addressing more immediate items on the rig, I will let you know. This is in the middle of the list. Have you put any raptor-liner, line-x, rhino liner or similar over these plugs yet? Looks are not a huge concern for me but I'm hoping that the plugs won't be SUPER obvious. Thanks for your suggestion!

 

[Outsane]

I haven't tried putting stuff on them so not sure. I would think the stuff is so thick it would just glue in place.

 

[schadenfreude]

My thoughts as well. A much less time-consuming option compared the the surface prep required to weld the holes or bondo them. Of course, plugging this many holes will still take quite awhile. Oh well, that's why it's called a hobby

 

[Broski]

Just my two cents.
If your not going to paint over them then the plugs can work but if your going over them then there going to show even if you use bed-liner, raptor -Liner or Line-x.
I like and used Monstaliner.

Yes it takes time to do it nice, I know that welding is the preferred way but it also burns the paint off the inside creating a rust issue and in some of the spots you can't get to the inside.
Then there's Glass reinforced filler Bondo that has short strand fiberglass with epoxy, way faster then welding won't burn the paint off the inside, really sticks and when done it looks like the holes where never there.
I used it almost ten years ago and not one has falling out or come lose! IMO it's the best and only way to fill the holes.
And mine see's hard trail use and I even painted it back with the OEM color and you can't see where the hole were.

 

[Nay]

PO on mine did white plugs for OEM white paint. I Durabak’d over them a gazillion years ago. Not a LX, but you don’t see it without looking closely and I always thought they looked cool anyway.

Scan in on this pic.

If you find plugs please post up, I have a LX fender on the DS because my stock one got fubar’d and it was what I could find. Still need to finish the job although it’s kinda become part of the look .

 

[77mustard40]

A couple of my flares are trashed so I started the demo this weekend. I’m trying to decide if I can live with pimples again, it’s been decades.

 

[Broski]

Easy peezy

 

[Broski]

Then this

Exact Match Car Paint Made Easy | AutomotiveTouchup

Restore your car's original paint with automotive paint that's an exact match for your car's color. Our touch-up paint is high quality to deliver professional results to every paint job. at AutomotiveTouchup

www.automotivetouchup.com

 

[77mustard40]

Then this

Exact Match Car Paint Made Easy | AutomotiveTouchup

Restore your car's original paint with automotive paint that's an exact match for your car's color. Our touch-up paint is high quality to deliver professional results to every paint job. at AutomotiveTouchup

www.automotivetouchup.com

I’ll probably go down the Bondo road, not sure what to think of these plugs. They were cheap, easy and have a rubber washer under the flange to seal the holes. Still need to open up my rear doors to finish the job and replace speakers and window motors.

 

[scottryana]

Like others have said no matter how thin the plugs are you’re still going to see them through the liner. I used foil tape and had mine liner sprayed and if I look close enough I can actually see the tape outlines.

 

[Broski]

I used a small sharp cold chisel as close to parallel to the panel as possible and made four small necks at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock giving the Bondo something to bit onto.
It also creates a small dimple for the Bondo to sit in.
I also used a floppy desk with 60 grit to rough up the immediate area around the hole first.

The end result is you can’t tell the holes were ever there.

 

[schadenfreude]

Thanks a lot for the ideas, Broski! That may be what I end up doing. In the meantime, I have some inner fenders from my 67 Camaro laying around that I might do some experiments on to see what is acceptable to me. I need to see how visible these plugs are in person. I really don't mind the plugs being visible or the tape, as long as it is relatively unobvious by my own standards. @Outsane I plan to order a few small items from you, including one of those plugs so I can try it out and see how it looks. I'll post pictures in this thread when complete with the inner fender and my 80. Thank you all for your pics and input, has been very helpful!