Question: Has anyone used rivnuts and bolts to plug the fender flares holes?

[Duperian]

My ‘97 LX450 fenders are worn (...and ugly). Contemplating removing the flares completely, filling the holes using rivnuts and bolts (and sealant), then coating the flares’ prior surface area with Bullet liner.

Has anyone done this (or similar) before?

 

[WarDamnEagle]

My ‘97 LX450 fenders are worn (...and ugly). Contemplating removing the flares completely, filling the holes using rivnuts and bolts (and sealant), then coating the flares’ prior surface area with Bullet liner.

Has anyone done this (or similar) before?

Do you want to see bolt heads? Plug them with flat, smooth sheet metal plugs (plastic or metal) unless, again, you just want to "decorate" your fenders.

 

[APhelps]

yikes... if you search this has been done before.

I'm personally very against the idea of plugging the fender/body holes unless you're going to weld them up. Also using bedliner/bullet liner/raptor liner will most likely look god awful in a few years, heavy, and is very difficult to remove. That stuff only belongs in truck beds.

 

[brockdeck]

yikes... if you search this has been done before.

I'm personally very against the idea of plugging the fender/body holes unless you're going to weld them up. Also using bedliner/bullet liner/raptor liner will most likely look god awful in a few years, heavy, and is very difficult to remove. That stuff only belongs in truck beds.

I have been very happy with my Linex'd flares, while sometimes I miss flares, the finish is thicker than the DIY liners most people use and is completely consistent in texture, and it maintains its color and has not been scuffed whatsoever, even in the CA sun. I took my flares to them and had them spray the exact shape of the factory flares. Personally I think it looks better than tired, JB welded flares that continuously rip off. The best option to deflare is to weld smooth, paint however. The LineX can also be essentially be carefully chiseled and peeled off in strips, but you will need to paint after.

OP if you are looking to line, and the product you are using is thick enough, you can tape off with aluminum tape.

 

[Comet]

I purchased stainless bolts with an Allen head, washers, lock washers, and lock nuts. I used Goop exterior sealant. You can reach every hole. The stainless can be primed and painted to match your color. It was really easy to do.

 

[Duperian]

I have been very happy with my Linex'd flares, while sometimes I miss flares, the finish is thicker than the DIY liners most people use and is completely consistent in texture, and it maintains its color and has not been scuffed whatsoever, even in the CA sun. I took my flares to them and had them spray the exact shape of the factory flares. Personally I think it looks better than tired, JB welded flares that continuously rip off. The best option to deflare is to weld smooth, paint however. The LineX can also be essentially be carefully chiseled and peeled off in strips, but you will need to paint after.

OP if you are looking to line, and the product you are using is thick enough, you can tape off with aluminum tape.

I purchased stainless bolts with an Allen head, washers, lock washers, and lock nuts. I used Goop exterior sealant. You can reach every hole. The stainless can be primed and painted to match your color. It was really easy to do.

yikes... if you search this has been done before.

I'm personally very against the idea of plugging the fender/body holes unless you're going to weld them up. Also using bedliner/bullet liner/raptor liner will most likely look god awful in a few years, heavy, and is very difficult to remove. That stuff only belongs in truck beds.

 

[Duperian]

To Brockdeck, Comet, and APhelps:
Each of you summarized well the 3 options. Essentially Don’t; Why not; and, Do it.

I am leaning towards stainless with sealant (Comet), then Bullet liner (think Linex on steroids made better by the same patented chemist).

... seeking to coat the lower 1/3 of the truck with an impervious sealant for added protection whilst also introducing a custom color combination.

 

[APhelps]

To Brockdeck, Comet, and APhelps:
Each of you summarized well the 3 options. Essentially Don’t; Why not; and, Do it.

I am leaning towards stainless with sealant (Comet), then Bullet liner (think Linex on steroids made better by the same patented chemist).

... seeking to coat the lower 1/3 of the truck with an impervious sealant for added protection whilst also introducing a custom color combination.

I don't think the flares of my LX450 look particularly good either but if it doesn't come good you'll kill the resell value. *just something to consider* I'm not saying don't, I'm saying do it the right expensive way if you do it.

 

[retlaw]

IIRC my LX had some flare holes that were elongated...if that matters.

 

[Comet]

Yes. There are elongated holes. The washers I used covered everything and look uniform.

welding and painting looks flawless though. Wish I had those skills.