Author Topic: Wheel flare protection  (Read 10280 times)

b_hill_86

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2135
Wheel flare protection
« on: March 24, 2024, 06:57:01 PM »
Anyone done anything to protect the wheel flares? Mine get beat up from stone chips and I had the fronts repainted last year and the rears are getting resprayed now so I’d like to try to protect them better. I bought some 3m clear paint protection but application did not go well. I’m sure it was user error but I wondered if anyone else has tried anything.
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

FormTA

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5703
  • Life is short, have fun, Drive a T/A
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2024, 11:10:14 AM »
I keep mine on a shelf in my shop....

Just kidding, we'll they are on a shelf because I am lazy and haven't painted them yet. 4 years now and I still haven't got them on.

How about the clear plasti dip spray that you van peel off?
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
Names, Luke. If I hear anyone telling me they're my father....

b_hill_86

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2135
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2024, 12:13:09 PM »
Hmm. That’s an idea. I’ll have to look into that. I’m tempted to try the 3m stuff again in a different way but I’m also a little afraid to. I’d like to be able to remove it without damaging the paint if possible and I don’t know that I could do that with the 3m stuff.

I did think of you today. I got my car out and cleaned it up today and reinstalled the front flares after replacing the welting but I have no rear flares still which is what made me think of you lol.
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

stros

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1996
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2024, 08:18:10 PM »
Mine are also taking a beating after being relatively recently painted.  I was debating getting them professionally wrapped with gloss black material.  I briefly tried applying it myself but I definitely don’t have the talent for it.
Darryl

'77 black TA Hardtop LS3 / 4L70E swap
Build thread:
http://transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=61066

Wallington

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2476
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2024, 08:50:05 PM »
Maybe a nice big set of Yosemite Sam "Back off" mudflaps....

Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2024, 08:50:05 PM »

81Blackbird

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1364

roadking77

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13527
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2024, 05:13:20 AM »
I would second the PPF. There is a local guy that does window tinting, wraps and graphics that also does PPF. IF you dont want to try yourself maybe someone in your area can. I guess Im lucky in that I dont have to worry about stone chips from the road conditions.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

b_hill_86

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2135
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2024, 04:59:32 PM »
Mine are also taking a beating after being relatively recently painted.  I was debating getting them professionally wrapped with gloss black material.  I briefly tried applying it myself but I definitely don’t have the talent for it.

That’s my issue apparently lol.
This worked well.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VG6SWS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You used that on yours? Any pictures to share? That’s I think the same stuff I tried to use. I’m sure my lack of skill was to blame. I may try again in a different way.

I called one local shop that does PPF and they quoted me $150 PER flare. My guess is she lady o talked to didn’t understand what I described. I may drive the car over at some point to try again for a new quote. Or another place.
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

b_hill_86

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2135
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2024, 05:00:07 PM »
Maybe a nice big set of Yosemite Sam "Back off" mudflaps....

Don’t tempt me lol
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

FormTA

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5703
  • Life is short, have fun, Drive a T/A
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2024, 06:26:28 PM »
Funny, I had those on my sand rail I built.
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
Names, Luke. If I hear anyone telling me they're my father....

81Blackbird

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1364
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2024, 02:51:04 AM »
I'll take a few pictures this afternoon.

81Blackbird

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1364
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2024, 02:13:19 PM »
Took Pics but was unable to post.  Will try tomorrow

b_hill_86

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2135
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2024, 02:23:28 PM »
Worked for me, thanks. Can I ask, did you cut a template first?
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

81Blackbird

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1364
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2024, 03:59:31 PM »
Okay I did see that the picture came across
Yes I did cut a template first

b_hill_86

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2135
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2024, 04:30:09 PM »
Maybe I’ll have to give it a shot again. Thank you for posting this.
« Last Edit: March 27, 2024, 05:24:59 PM by b_hill_86 »
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2024, 04:30:09 PM »

Meshuga T/A

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 95
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #15 on: April 04, 2024, 03:20:53 PM »
I’m going to spray mine with spray with truck bed protector
« Last Edit: April 13, 2024, 08:01:51 AM by Meshuga T/A »
Stay Shalomy

Let’s go Brandon

81Blackbird

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1364
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #16 on: April 05, 2024, 02:52:06 AM »
$hit!  I can't tell if you're joking or not.

Wallington

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2476
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #17 on: April 05, 2024, 04:32:33 AM »
There's a guy on the other forum that won't leave the textured spray crap alone. Does decent resto work then makes it look like utter crap.

roadking77

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 13527
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #18 on: April 05, 2024, 04:36:50 AM »
I have seen a couple of jeeps running around with that on the entire vehicle, I would'nt want it on that! Dirt gets stuck in crevices and looks bad after awhile. I do like it as a bed liner though :grin:
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

81Blackbird

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1364
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #19 on: April 05, 2024, 06:25:03 AM »


b_hill_86

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2135
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #21 on: April 05, 2024, 05:29:56 PM »
Well, I didn’t know about the clear chip guard. You mentioned Plastidip which I looked into but I wasn’t convinced it would actually protect anything from stones. I remember a friend used it on his motorcycle and it ended up with chips in the plastidip at least.

None of the sprays I looked at appear to provide a clear finish so that’s why I’m looking at other options first. I should probably try to cut a template first then install that 3m stuff again.
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

Zach

  • Active Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 159
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #22 on: April 05, 2024, 07:03:24 PM »
I keep mine off the car (I own a single flare that was destroyed by a curb before I was born). Once I get a set I probably won’t worry about it too much since the color should hide it somewhat. I was interested in mud flaps too, might help a bit. Don’t got the money to worry about perfection I just drive the thing.
1977 #s W72 400 4 Speed Trans Am
1971 351c 4 Speed Mustang Mach 1

Wallington

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2476
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #23 on: April 06, 2024, 02:00:36 AM »

Again, what's wrong with the clear spray on chip guard?

Probably that none are in stock!


FormTA

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5703
  • Life is short, have fun, Drive a T/A
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #24 on: April 06, 2024, 06:37:27 AM »
Around here you can walk into a auto parts store and pick it up off the shelf. We have parts stores everywhere (I guess so they can sell wiper blades amd LED light bulbs). Next time I'm in one I'll grab a can of the clear peaceable chip gaurd and spray it on my RAM to see how it looks.
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
Names, Luke. If I hear anyone telling me they're my father....

Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #24 on: April 06, 2024, 06:37:27 AM »

b_hill_86

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2135
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #25 on: April 22, 2024, 06:07:47 PM »
I took a shot at covering my rear flares with what material I had left since those take a worse beating than the fronts and are a bit smaller. Much better this go around. I started by cutting a template out of construction paper. Slightly thicker actually. I verified it would work for both sides and traced the design on to the material I had left.

Once I cut it out I wet the flare down with a soapy water solution and began applying. This time it seemed to adhere much better and I was able to maneuver it around a bit.its not perfect but I’m pretty pleased with the outcome

These are before pics
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

b_hill_86

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2135
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #26 on: April 22, 2024, 06:10:36 PM »
After
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

FormTA

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 5703
  • Life is short, have fun, Drive a T/A
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #27 on: April 25, 2024, 03:26:33 AM »

Not bad! They look pretty good and you wouldn't notice them if you weren't looking for it!

I like it.
79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
Names, Luke. If I hear anyone telling me they're my father....

b_hill_86

  • Oracle Forum Member
  • *
  • Posts: 2135
Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #28 on: April 25, 2024, 04:00:59 AM »
Thanks I’m pleased overall I think. I could’ve done something different with the top edge of the film such as extending it further up or cutting it at a different angle but I wasn’t sure how easy it would adhere and you’re right, I don’t think anyone will notice if they’re not looking for it.
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

Re: Wheel flare protection
« Reply #28 on: April 25, 2024, 04:00:59 AM »
You can help support TAC!