GM Fender flare removal - 04 GMC 1500.

[WilliamBos]

Curiosity has gotten the best of me. Come spring, I want to remove the flares on my truck, just to see if all is well under them. They are the factory flares.

What will be needed for re-install?? Are they taped on too?? They have those plastic body plugs, or whatever they are called.

Will do them one at a time. Hoping there is no rust, none anywhere else on the body.

 

[Pepperidge]

yes they are taped on as well...

you will need a magic eraser wheel(or similar from a body shop supplier) to remove the tape residue left on the fender and the flare...then buy the matching width 3m tape from a body shop supplier and put the tape on the flare first...there will be a few worn spots on the clearcoat (or it may down to the paint)...where wind and vibration cause the flare to rub...you should be able to buff most of that out if you are inclined to do so...

 

[WilliamBos]

Thanks Pepp. That is exactly what I am looking to do. Now, will the body shop supply know how wide of 3M tape to use?? And it is 2 way??

yes they are taped on as well...

you will need a magic eraser wheel(or similar from a body shop supplier) to remove the tape residue left on the fender and the flare...then buy the matching width 3m tape from a body shop supplier and put the tape on the flare first...there will be a few worn spots on the clearcoat (or it may down to the paint)...where wind and vibration cause the flare to rub...you should be able to buff most of that out if you are inclined to do so...

 

[Pepperidge]

yes it is two way tape...you'll know...just save a piece and take it with you or measure the width of the tape and tell the supply house what you are using it on so as to get the proper thickness...

putting the flare back on is relatively easy...

remove all tape residue with Magic eraser wheel and clean with acetone...

apply the 3m tape on the flare...

then just pull a small amount off of each corner of each section of the tape backing from each section of the flare...just long enough to stick out side of the flare when mounted...

then use the push locks to hold the flare in place...

now... while holding the flare against the truck in proper position, start pulling the plastic release portion of the tape corners you left sticking out...

after all release is pulled from behind the flare then press the flare firmly against the truck up and down the length of the flare where the tape was applied...

that should do it...

anyone else with any tips feel free to chime in...but this worked excellent for me...(the body shop that repainted my flares instructed me to do it this way)

 

[WilliamBos]

This is my only vehicle, so I will have to take one off, get a sample of tape, then put it back on.

 

[Pepperidge]

I wish I could remember what width 3m body tape I used...maybe someone else will chime in before you start the project...

 

[Pepperidge]

one other thing..make sure the fender and flare are warm (around 70*) so the tape will adhere properly...just thought about you being up north...maybe do it in a heated garage...

and only use that eraser wheel on a low speed...

 

[WilliamBos]

one other thing..make sure the fender and flare are warm (around 70*) so the tape will adhere properly...just thought about you being up north...maybe do it in a heated garage...

and only use that eraser wheel on a low speed...

Thanks!! I will wait until summer, as the truck will not fit in the garage. Any kind of eraser wheel??

 

[Pepperidge]

I prefer the one by 3m but your body shop supplier should have others that are just as good...

 

[WilliamBos]

For future reference.....

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/...E3E02LECIE20S4K7_nid=BZVN4V5PK4beRJ5GMFSMV0gl

 

[Pepperidge]

that'd be the one...but I hope your supplier doesn't make you buy 5... one should do four flares and debadge & demoulding the truck with some use still left in it...