Low cost fender arches. Keep'em or lose'em?

[TwoTone]

My old explorer has these plastic fender arches as standard trim pieces. it looks nice but the ones from that model year (02-05) all seem to get fender rust from water getting trapped in them. I had to cut out and bondo the right rear from it.

Yup, had 2003 Exploder and same thing. Now I don't want any plastic stuck to my vehicles.

I'm amazed at how many people go out and add it. If you keep your vehicles a long time you're just adding another failure point.

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[hdave]

Not the greatest, but definitely not bad. I would keep them on.
They are a bit too small and the color doesn't contrast with your paint enough.

IMO the 5.5cm instead of the 3.8 would look better and on a lighter truck.

 

[710-oil-614]

They don't look terrible with your paint scheme but I am not a fan of fender flares for most all vehicles and especially the Mav.

Lose em!

 

[fossil]

Some don't go for the subtle approach. I think it looks good but they don't far enough under to protect the inner flange. I don't know of a arch/flare made that doesn't trap moisture and dirt. Good that they offer UV protection and any product that doesn't claim that should be avoided like the plague.

 

[Montana]

IMHO, the subtle approach is good, but I'm a function over form guy and 90% of these are totally aesthetic. If they are not the ridiculous wider fender flares that actually offer protection and coverage, I think they are useless. And those wider ones are fugly as hell lol. The way I look at it is that if it doesn't wrap underneath far enough and around the top high enough and seal completely, then it just allows materials to accumulate and make any potential rust issues even worse. Who knows though... that could take years or 6 months.

Do they wrap around the bottom portion at all, or they are just adhesive stickers?

 

[Luthinator]

I like them personally. I do kind of agree with going with the larger fender flairs. I would be concerned taking them off at this point. I feel it would leave residue behind.

 

[22Lariat]

I like them personally. I do kind of agree with going with the larger fender flairs. I would be concerned taking them off at this point. I feel it would leave residue behind.

They're not stuck on that well. I wouldn't be surprised if they fall off in a year or two. Not worried about residue. Cleaned off a lot of automotive adhesive in my days.

 

[22Lariat]

IMHO, the subtle approach is good, but I'm a function over form guy and 90% of these are totally aesthetic. If they are not the ridiculous wider fender flares that actually offer protection and coverage, I think they are useless. And those wider ones are fugly as hell lol. The way I look at it is that if it doesn't wrap underneath far enough and around the top high enough and seal completely, then it just allows materials to accumulate and make any potential rust issues even worse. Who knows though... that could take years or 6 months.

Do they wrap around the bottom portion at all, or they are just adhesive stickers?

Its really preference, but I don't like the look of large fender flares. I do wish these were a little bigger. Maybe a half inch. They wrap around the underside of the wheel well just a little bit but don't go far enough to trap moisture by blocking anything. It's a soft rubber sealed with adhesive tape. Not really any way for moisture to get behind it. I don't think it can block or trap anything, Same as if I had nothing there at all. Not much different than an emblem. Just not sure about the look. They're cheap enough where I can just take them off without a care. They would help with dings, chips, and stuff like that, but that's probably it.

 

[clos0791]

Can't really tell they are there because of the color of the truck. It doesn't hurt to leave them on tho.

 

[ForwardMomentum]

Its really preference, but I don't like the look of large fender flares. I do wish these were a little bigger. Maybe a half inch. They wrap around the underside of the wheel well just a little bit but don't go far enough to trap moisture by blocking anything. It's a soft rubber sealed with adhesive tape. Not really any way for moisture to get behind it. I don't think it can block or trap anything, Same as if I had nothing there at all. Not much different than an emblem. Just not sure about the look. They're cheap enough where I can just take them off without a care. They would help with dings, chips, and stuff like that, but that's probably it.

I want for ding/chip protection. Where did you buy? Can you post pictures?

 

[NoVaJimmy]

I can't even tell that they're there on my laptop given the carbonized grey color. My only concern would be dirt and sand getting trapped behind them which will act like sandpaper and bring your fenders down to bare metal in no time.

 

[22Lariat]

[/QUOTE]
Posted

I want for ding/chip protection. Where did you buy? Can you post pictures?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0BHYBHHZB?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[ForwardMomentum]

I want for ding/chip protection. Where did you buy? Can you post pictures?

Thank you!

 

[navidsina2004]

Still deciding.... What do you think?

Hello
I was just wondering if you still have these on your truck. Are you happy with them?

 

[22Lariat]

Hello
I was just wondering if you still have these on your truck. Are you happy with them?

Yes I still have them on. Surprisingly they're holding up fine. And seem to look better now that they've been washed in the sun and elements. Been through the brushless car wash many times too. I like them more now than when I put them on.

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