Dark Argent Fender Flare Oxidation

[JagerFast]

Hi, have a '99 2dr Hoe Sport, has the two-tone color scheme with Dark Argent trim. 3 of my dark argent fender flares have this yellow oxidation happening on the flares. Are there anyways to clean this up? Has anyone dealt with this issue before? If not are there any OEM replacements in the Dark argent color available that you may have stumbled across while looking around for all things tahoe? Thanks for any ideas.

Jim

 

[SunlitComet]

never heard of that myself. got pics?

 

[JagerFast]

will take some and post. assuming the fl sun is responsible.

 

[JagerFast]

this is the worst one..passenger side rear flare. it looks pitted as well as the discoloration. Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[SunlitComet]

best guess is it was clear coated and it is failing. just like my hood. just a guess tho. have not seen that before.

 

[nobsobs98]

Looks to me that the paint has just worn off? Best bet is to take it to a shop and have them repainted, should cost less that $200

 

[JagerFast]

Thanks Frank and Sunlitcomet but I don't think these were ever painted. I think they are molded plastic in that color. It also has some pitting which has changed the texture from smooth to rough in the affected areas. Wonder if this plastic material can be sanded to smooth it out before painting? Looked for replacements in the "dark argent" color. No Luck. Some aftermarket companies make the oem style fender flares in black but gm discontinued production of these "dark argent" flares that were used on the "sport" two-tones. It looks like the best I can do is try to fix these up and have them painted, check out the salvage yards to see if I can find any in better condition, or buy the aftermarket oem replacements and have them painted. Thanks for looking and your thoughts.

 

[Tbruz]

Pretty sure that's the base material of the flare itself.
The OEM flares are a yellow foam type material and they can be painted any color.
Best bet is to have a body shop look at refinishing those on the vehicle.
Taking these off will be costly as the crash book I saw gets 3.5 hours each for the fronts and about 1.7 each for the rear flares. Thats just remove and replace time; refinish time is above that.
OEM flares are about $120 each as well.

There are aftermarket flares that "adhere" along the top edge and get secured with screws in along the wheel opening. Seach and you'll see a thread on someone adding them. They looked pretty good and are about $130 for the set of 4
Tbruz

 

[JagerFast]

WOW! thx Tony...not what I wanted to hear $-wise but certainly appreciate the heads up.

 

[Gzes]

Yea def the paint wore off. Kine are painted but yea the ckear wore off. Just get em resprayed

 

[JagerFast]

Jesus, Thanks, what about the texture change? It is a rougher texture in the affected areas... if you click on the photos after you have opened them it zooms in a little more and gives you a closer look at the change in texture. Can that be sanded smooth or will simply re-spraying it smooth it out? thx for all your helpful comments and suggestions.. appreciate it!

 

[bowtiefreak]

Been there, that is the plastic material. They need to be sanded and painted.

 

[JagerFast]

Awesome, Thanks Kris. Its great (not great that you had to deal with it) to know others have had a similar experience. Appreciate you sharing it with me. Cheers! I dig your mean looking sport!!

Jim

 

[bowtiefreak]

Thanks Jim.

I've had the flares painted.....twice over the last 12 years. Bed liner is next for mine

 

[JagerFast]

Did you repaint the grill/bumper and any other "dark argent" ext trim pieces as well? Your wheels are "dark argent" too, right?

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

just a thought but wouldnt a good color match work? and just tape up the truck and wheels real well? i know it seems redneck and all but if you took your time and painted it in short burst to prevent any run i dont see why they wouldnt come out good just my 02 cents

 

[JagerFast]

Don, Are you suggesting, to tape off the fenders, sand the fenders smooth in place, prime and paint/just paint /or just touch-up paint? thx

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

well assuming there is no major pitting or bubbling involved yea just a over spray, just seems like alot of work IMO because to do one you might as well do all or one is gunna look better then the rest , with the proper prep with a dremel polisher to remove all the built up grime and alcohol to prep i dont see why not?

i have not personally painted these "foam" flares but someone with a little more knowledge maybe bowtie can chime in to confirm if this is even doable

 

[JagerFast]

I am pretty OCD and the flare that is the worst has some significant pitting, so it definitely will need to be sanded smooth. I am open to all suggestions but will certainly take it to a couple shops and see how much they would want to fix it and weigh the cost against touching it up myself(considering the time it will probably take me to do an acceptable job seeing that I am OCD like that) LOL. Thanks Donovan

 

[Donnie Yukonie]

no problem yea im that way too most of the time get it done right the first time , just didnt know the condition of the flare , make sure to post pics when finished