If you are an off-road enthusiast, then you understand the benefits of fender flares. However, if you’ve never ventured beyond the curb, but want, or just want to add a great rugged look to your truck for on-road use, then you are definitely interested in fenders.
What are fender flares?
In essence these are additions that mount on the outside of your wheel wells (the actual mount is inside the well), which extend and enlarge the size of your fenders. In addition, you have several options in the market that you will need to understand before buying a game.
The basic job of fender flares is to protect the sides of your vehicle from mud, rocks, sticks, and other debris that could destroy your paint job in seconds or wreak havoc on your body line (dents don’t do much for you! clean lines!). Of course, they also reinforce the appearance of your vehicle, giving it a robustness that suggests muscularity and masculinity.
Find the right set
It is important to choose the correct type of fender. For example, if you have a Jeep, you will need a different type of fender light set than someone driving a Dodge 1500 or Chevy Silverado would need. Therefore, your first order of business is to find a set of flares that will suit your vehicle.
Caution must also be exercised here. Some manufacturers sell their flares in sets of four, for obvious reasons. However, other manufacturers sell them in sets of two, which may come as a surprise if you don’t read the fine print. If you don’t want to end up with two instead of four, be sure to check out the manufacturer’s full list.
Building material
Most flares are “plastic”, although you will find several different types, including ABS and polyurethane. However, you need to make sure that the fender flares you choose are UV stable or UV resistant. Ultraviolet rays will cause many types of plastic to rot over time, damaging sparklers long before they wear out.
Size considerations
One of the other important considerations you will need to keep in mind is the size of the flares you want. If you are simply looking for a cosmetic solution for your vehicle, any size will do. However, if you really need to protect the sides of your vehicle from the ravages of rocks and off-road debris, you will need to ensure that the flares extend far enough beyond the edge of the actual fender.
For Jeep owners, flares are a special consideration and will actually extend your fenders about three to four inches, to cover the entirety of the tire.
Color concerns
A quick look at the types of fender flares available will show you that most of them are black. Most companies should provide you with paintable fender flares, although you will find some that can be ordered in OEM colors. However, you shouldn’t buy fender flares that don’t specifically state that they can be painted (unless you intend to leave them black, of course).
Finding a set of fender flares to enhance and protect your vehicle can be easily accomplished, although you will have to make sure that the set you buy matches your wants and needs. Remember that some games are purely cosmetic, while others provide tremendous protection in the off-road environment and you will easily find a game that meets your needs.
