Painting, Wind Deflectors, Wheel Arch Extensions and Mud Flaps

[AVIA8R]

I've recieved my new mud flaps and wheel arch extensions and want to paint them to match the body (silver). I'm also considering removing and painting the small wind deflectors that are in front of the each wheel. Any recommendations or advice? Does anyone have photos of a Cayenne that this has been done on?

Matt

[hooster]

I've recieved my new mud flaps and wheel arch extensions and want to paint them to match the body (silver). I'm also considering removing and painting the small wind deflectors that are in front of the each wheel. Any recommendations or advice? Does anyone have photos of a Cayenne that this has been done on?

Matt

If it is made as the same softish plastic/rubber material as the OEM Boxster "flaps" then you will likely find that the body/paint shop is unwilling to guarantee the paint job. The more "flex" in the material, the more likely the paint bond will crack over time. It shouldn't really matter unless you believe they will be getting a lot of action from rock impacts.

[Cayenne17]

I've recieved my new mud flaps and wheel arch extensions and want to paint them to match the body (silver). I'm also considering removing and painting the small wind deflectors that are in front of the each wheel. Any recommendations or advice? Does anyone have photos of a Cayenne that this has been done on?

Matt

If it is made as the same softish plastic/rubber material as the OEM Boxster "flaps" then you will likely find that the body/paint shop is unwilling to guarantee the paint job. The more "flex" in the material, the more likely the paint bond will crack over time. It shouldn't really matter unless you believe they will be getting a lot of action from rock impacts.

I had my mudflaps painted about about 2 months the paint pealed off and looked horrible

[hooster]

I've recieved my new mud flaps and wheel arch extensions and want to paint them to match the body (silver). I'm also considering removing and painting the small wind deflectors that are in front of the each wheel. Any recommendations or advice? Does anyone have photos of a Cayenne that this has been done on?

Matt

If it is made as the same softish plastic/rubber material as the OEM Boxster "flaps" then you will likely find that the body/paint shop is unwilling to guarantee the paint job. The more "flex" in the material, the more likely the paint bond will crack over time. It shouldn't really matter unless you believe they will be getting a lot of action from rock impacts.

I had my mudflaps painted about about 2 months the paint pealed off and looked horrible

And there we go...why flexible things are not painted. :D

[Captain Tal]

Paint the wheel arches leave the mud flaps alone. I painted my wheel arches and sill trims and they look MUCH better than blank. Painting the mud flaps won't work

[ldb]

Do you plan to paint these parts yourself or go to an autobody shop? There is a special additive that goes in the paint when flexible car parts are painted. This additive is mainly used on car bumpers because they are made out of a hard plastic. For example, Saturns have these flexible additive. The panel can flex without cracking the paint. If you are painting a plastic piece that has never been painted before, you will need to spray a type of adhesive prior to painting. This will bond the paint to the plastic and prevent the piece from chipping.

Any good autobody shop should know this. But some shops don't want to take on these projects because it can be more of a pain for what its worth. You can do this painting in your garage. It's surprisingly very easy.

[1schoir]

...

Any good autobody shop should know this. But some shops don't want to take on these projects because it can be more of a pain for what its worth. You can do this painting in your garage. It's surprisingly very easy.

Very true about the flex additive.

As long as you have a decent paint gun and a decent, dust free, humidity free painting environment. I agree that it's not quantum physics. With the proper equipment and proper prep, you can definitely get great results.

Regards, Maurice.

[AVIA8R]

I appreciate everyone's' feedback. I had always planned to use a body shop and experienced painter. I ended up taking to a family member that has a body shop and expressed my concern which I've had from the start due to the flexible nature of both the deflectors and mud flaps. Not as much on the wheel well arches due to the fact they do not move much. I have pained items like this before and had them stay nice for years. Preparation is definitely the key. My cousin, who's been painting for years, is going to take every precaution (clean surface, prep, flex additive additive, etc) and he is very confident that I'll have no issues. I'll try to remember to take a photo when it's done and also give feedback after a while (6-12 months). I had body colored, body countered mud flaps on my wide body Celica All-Trac and loved the way they looked and wanted this same look for the Cayenne. We'll just have to wait and see.

Again, thanks for all of your feedback. :renntech:

Matt