Bushwacker Fender Flares Will They Scratch Your Truck? 9 Months Later

[@CalvAnon]

Glad you posted results. From this I’m gonna pass on fender flares...

[@stinger4583]

Thanks, Gear. I had my fender flairs on my '08 Tundra LTD for 5 or 6 years. I took them off back in Feb. of this year and there is a pronounced wear line in the paint. It didn't wear through to bare metal but, in some spots, it did wear into the primer coat.

[@gearrunner]

Stinger45 I could see that happening. Especially after that long a time.

[@frozentundra7289]

Gear, thanks for taking the time to do that, I was one of those wondering. Right now you'd get those out I believe, long term maybe not . Thanks again.👍👍

[@selah86]

Good video!!! Thanks for taking the time to make!

[@gearrunner]

selah86 Thank you. I’ve had a few questions on it and thought I would show you all first hand what they did. 👍

[@joe7528]

The problem with fender flares that only bolts on underneath and use a seal around the fender body is the seal shrinks and flexible it allows water/dust/dirt it get's behind the seal and the fender flare as the fender flare flexs it grinds the debris into the paint causing scratches on the paint till it's down to the metal. With these type of seals you will have the same problem with any of them i would recommend not using the seal and replacing it with 3M double sided tap and use black ATV sealant with both combinations the fender flare is completely sealed and will not flex or move around or allow any water / dust / dirt to get in or behind the seal

[@gy56]

I agree with about the thin paint! I have a few rock scratches down to the bare metal ugh.

[@springfield03sniper]

An orbital buffer with a light pad on it will take that out easily. Any polish will do. Had issues with a roof rack doing the same thing and the scratches came out easily. I would rather buff out a few scratched than have a bad seal there and let water sit in there. Good vid.

[@gearrunner]

springfield03sniper Very true Springfield. It’s way better than deep rock chips also. 👍

[@springfield03sniper]

@@gearrunner i have a 68 Firebird that is being restored and the previous owner put side skirts on it and they left similiar lines. I just used 3M scratch remover, maguiers polish and some wax to make it like new. Looks like yours is similiar with just a slight clear coat scratch. I've seen guys have flares "professionally" installed and they left gouges when removed because someone went overboard tightening the bolts up.

[@robertperry1270]

You are right i have a 2016 Tundra TRD the paint really does suck can't keep wax on it for day one.

[@joaquin-jacknava2696]

The fender flares does help with rock chipping around the wells plus it does look better with the flares. I agree Toyota paint is crappy. I wish they would fix that issue.

[@gearrunner]

I do like the look better with them to Jack, I will never take them off so the marks really don’t bother me. I wish they would fix it to. It scratches so easy.

[@andrewjackson8409]

Good video! Totally agree on the Toyota paint. Seems to scuff and scratch easier than any other truck/car I've ever had.

[@gearrunner]

Andrew Jackson I agree. I scratched mine with my finger nail lol

[@andrewjackson8409]

Same here. I try to be extra cautious with my color matching door handles and rings/keys/fingernails etc, but it happens.

[@gearrunner]

Andrew Jackson It really does. I tell my self it’s a truck but it still hurts lol

[@tlalexander3]

Yeah that will easily come out. Strip it, clay it and a cutting polish with a DA buffer would remove that in about 10 minutes or less. I also detail cars whenever I am not at college or when I have a break. If you are close enough to me (Shelby) I would love to clean your truck sometime. I do anything from basic cleaning to buffing or polishing and deep interior cleaner.

[@gearrunner]

Trevor Alexander Shelby NC?

[@tlalexander3]

@@gearrunner yep, Shelby NC

[@gearrunner]

Trevor Alexander About 3 hours from each other.

[@hunterfox9336]

Good vid and when are you new videos dropping

[@gearrunner]

Hunter Fox I post a video ever Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I also do a live stream every Friday at 7:30. 👍

[@erickgalloway1393]

What did you use to reseal these when you put them back on? Mine are starting to get loose so I’m trying to figure out the best approach to restock them. I’m thinking 3M double sided tape?

[@roberthillsjr.3729]

Your a little late. I had them installed last week and it is Sat. now and i really like the looks. It also hid a place near rear tire where a guy backed into me. Hid all the damage except for the tire rim but that is hardly noticeable. All in all it looks great.

[@alienation1270]

The main problem I see is not marring or scratching, but rusting. Seems these flares may act like drop in bed liner and trap dirt and moisture. Especially if road salt or liquid calcium brine. Toyota are known for rusting problem on truck bed.

[@gearrunner]

kareem majeens That’s probably possibly but the water can easily escape out the bottom. If it wore enough I could still see that happening.

[@alienation1270]

@@gearrunner I would be interested seeing this test after 5 years of use in geographical area of salt or sand.

[@gearrunner]

kareem majeens I don’t live anywhere like that. I do go to Florida a few times a year but that’s the best I can do.

[@zoddie]

this will be fun to find out when i remove mine. its ironic to put on fender flares to reduce damage to your truck...and it also fucks up your truck.

[@karlc9376]

about how many inches do the tires stick out without the flares?

[@asaffarfar1529]

I can see it. Yea Toyota has rather little paint use. It’s rather noticeable on pain chips. I had factory fender flares on my 2001 Tundra and 2007 FJ Cruiser. It will protect from flying rock. Don’t have em on my 2017 but hope to soon. So pricy.

[@gearrunner]

Asaf Farfar I had sticker shock when I seen how much they were.

[@asaffarfar1529]

Gear Runner I’ve done a lot. Spent much money on aftermarket stuff without blinking. This is an item I want and like just keep putting it off. Massage to myself shut up and do it.

[@gearrunner]

Asaf Farfar That’s exactly how I had to do it as well.

[@justindavis5983]

I'd rather have light scratches or marks instead of rock chips. besides the flares look awesome!!!

[@gearrunner]

Rebel Rouser Me to Justin, and thank you buddy. 👍

[@RobMotive]

I read somewhere that Tacoma paint is far superior.......😆

[@gearrunner]

ThrobbNation Your probably right. That being said I could drag that Tacoma from Texas all the way back to Tennessee. 😂😂

[@GeorgeZimmermen]

My 2020 trd pro has the thinnest paint I’ve ever seen on a vehicle. I have 2 rock scratches and one long scratch. It’s very disappointing

[@bsu1960]

Good video I’d use F 11 on all surfaces mating and then relax I had another thought on this one But I won’t say that couldn’t your wife have had the truck scrubbed up clean and shiny before the video Go Team Gear Runner She’ll probably never see this so you won’t have to buy her flowers cause of my terrible sense of humor lol I shouldn’t be taken seriously but I sure laugh at my jokes looks like nice weather there Hope your lovely wife is fine

[@gearrunner]

bsu1960 lol thank you. My wife definitely won’t see it. She never watches any of my videos. She really doesn’t help me with KZbin at all.

[@jakeschisler7525]

Gear does moisture get underneath them?

[@gearrunner]

It can but it will just drain out the bottom

[@jakeschisler7525]

Good thing

[@gearrunner]

Jake Schisler Yep I agree

[@osvaldo7615]

Light coat of paint makes the truck lighter . Better gas mileage Lol.

[@stringbean9039]

I hate the paint on the Toyota and my grandmothers paint on here Toyota Camry is chipping of the bottom front finder of it and it is going to be the car I buy from here one of these days to be my first car

[@gearrunner]

You can’t go wrong with a Toyota. Even if the paint is a little thin. 👍

[@gg9483]

HAVE'NT SCRATCHED MY TUNDRA YET.

[@firetigerrapala1592]

I know that any type of flares are going scratch your vehicle. So I did as much research as I could and this is the scratch prevention that I came across. These guys in Canada are awesome! Now, I just have to find someone in the States that will do the same thing with the same kind of love and care that these guys and I have for trucks. Watch the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a2TbfJ9je9mHasU

[@gearrunner]

FIRETIGER RAPALA That’s pretty awesome. Wish I had had that tape when I installed mine.

[@kyleralph1778]

Nissan paint is worse

[@gearrunner]

Kyle Ralph My Xterra is an 03 and it’s paint is really good. Guess everyone cuts corners eventually.

[@kyleralph1778]

My lady has a 2011 Nissan juke it's aweful