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Painted Fenders

2K views 11 replies 9 participants last post by  ScarletVarlet 
#1 ·
I just noticed that most painted fenders have what looks like a crack in the paint under the hood latch. It's really just the seam, you would think they would smooth that out more. On light colors like Mojave the black showed through the paint on the edge. I looked at about 10 and all 10 had it, but the dark colors you couldn't see it and red and blue for whatever reason were painted a little thicker (more coats?) so it wasn't as obvious.

Makes me lean towards black fenders and top more, certain colors I think look better with the black, other I think look better with matching.
 
#5 ·
A word of caution if you plan to do a lot of off-road driving. I was looking over my rear fender and noticed it is seriously chewed up. Probably from going down some of the tracks I have at something approaching 35 MPH. The same rocks which knock chips of paint from the rear door hinges are nibbling away at the black plastic fenders. I can only guess what this would look like on a painted (body color) fender.
 
#10 ·
It looked horrible in less than 2 months on my white painted fenders. The color underneath the white paint is black so every chip shows. They are now in a landfill and PS Crusher Flares on on the Jeep
 
#6 ·
My plan is to install 3m's Scotch-guard chip protector. Its the stuff they put on the "bra" section of sedans. Amazon has 6, 8, and 12" rolls, so I am just going to cut it to fit. I know it wont protect the paint from everything but in combination with some removable mud flaps I think it should do the trick for most of the dings.

http://www.amazon.com/Scotchgard-Clear-Paint-Protection-48-inches/dp/B004VG88MQ

I may also put this along the rocker panel and up the doors a little bit.
 
#7 ·
Carnut12 I just bought my mojave two nights ago and finally got a close eye on it yesterday in the sun... and noticed this...



so sad... currently trying to get suggestions on repair ideas, leaning towards DIY instead of trusting a "dealer" to fix it only to damage something else.
 
#8 ·
I chose painted fenders and hard top because I don't want to have to apply conditioners/reconditioners on them from weather fading.

I have the seam you mention and shown above, I kinda thought they should have filed/sanded it down before paint, but this isn't some German touring car and you have to be pretty close to see it. I do not have the black showing through like that.

My JKHR is billet silver, maybe the metallic paint is just applied thicker like you suggested about Hyrdo.
 
#12 ·
My cheapskate recommendation - try to find a nail polish that's pretty close to your paint. Apply with the finest brush you can find at an art store.
 
#9 ·
My Hydro Sahara has a seam in the front wheel flares. I got over it pretty quick, I hardly even notice it when I clay bar and seal it, and the clay bar catches on the fender decals. When you have a Hydro JKU with painted wheel flares, matching fascia appliques, and painted hard top, things like that get overlooked. :)
 
#11 ·
As WelcometotheCanteen surmised, the 3M clear vinyl is a good way to preserve your painted fenders. I had done a random sample of Jeeps with painted fenders before buying mine, and had seen the carnage to the leading face of the rear fenders. I installed the vinyl on my new Jeep, and so far, so good. I can see where rocks have bounced off the vinyl without damaging the painted fender. I know eventually the wheel will throw a heater that the vinyl can't handle, but for now I laugh at the barrage of pebbles that are flying off my vinyl protected fenders. Kind of like Superman and the bullets bouncing off of his chest... Superfender?
 
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