New Bed Rails/Fender Flares/Cowl

[Flip]

I have an '04 F150 that looks pretty good but shows its age in it's plastic.  

 

Anyone ever replace the black plastic bed rails on their truck?  How did it go for you?

 

Have a bit of rust on one of the rear fenders.  Rather than repair it, I think it would be cheaper to slap some fender flares over the rust.  Anyone have an opinion on that?  good or bad?  It's not a lot of rust.  

 

My windshield wiper cowl looks terribly faded.  Anyone every change one of those?

 

Once I get these things installed, I plan on treating it with VRT.  My truck has just over 100k miles.  I could just let it go, but I want it to look nice again.  It's also going to get a full detail pretty soon.  I'm just not quite ready for a new truck yet, financially anyway.  I could have this for a few more years so that justifies me putting a little money into it.   

 

 

 

[shane@detailedreflections]

Some VRT to remoisturize it or some In & Out Spray to restore the color should make it good. Just might take a few coats. Worth a shot before replacing.

[Chris@Adams]

Some VRT to remoisturize it or some In & Out Spray to restore the color should make it good. Just might take a few coats. Worth a shot before replacing.

 

I agree!

[Flip]

I will give that a good honest effort before I order but man they are in some bad shape.  Worth a shot.  

 

The cowl is actually cracked, so that is beyond repair.  

 

Thank you

[shane@detailedreflections]

Don't underestimate the power of layering up the product. There's plenty of before and after here with amazing results. As for the crack, well that's just a physical defect. The fading can definitely be improved.

[PacificNWBuckeye]

The SVRT should help the fading, but rather than cover the rust, you need to stop whatever has caused it and get the rusted part out. That way it doesn't continue to spread. If it will be under a flare you won't have to make it perfect, but do what you can to stop it.

[Flip]

Thanks everyone!

 

How do i stop the rust?

[LT1xL82]

Thanks everyone!

 

How do i stop the rust?

Basically get rid of the existing rust and then seal the surface to prevent new rust. Blast/grind/sand the area until the rust is gone. Fill with "Bondo" and the "paint". This doesn't have to be pretty, especially if you cover with flares.

 

There are products that claim to convert rust to a protective coating...I haven't used one that worked super well...quick and dirty, but I'm not so sure about long term benefit. 

[gabhart]

Thanks everyone!

 

How do i stop the rust?

 

If you are covering the rust with fender flares get some POR15. You paint it on and It will treat the rust in a way that it will not spread further. Just remember to get inside and outside or you will be wasting your time.

 

I have personally used POR15 on multiple rusty things and I am very satisfied with it.

Edited September 30, 2016 by gabhart

[white97]

Rust Mort is also good for nutralizing rust.

[GXPaycheck]

Try using the heat gun trick. See YouTube.

[Flip]

VRT is working vey nicely.  I really did not think it would have much of an effect being that the black plastic was basically white.  3 applications on the bed caps so far have made quite an improvement.  Of course they do not look brand new, but at least they almost black now.  The cowl, although banged up, looks much better after one application.  I'll take these results on a 12 year old truck.  

 

The VRT I got in one of my mystery boxes is going to save me a few hundred bucks.  

[avimore]

Great to hear it worked out for you.  Any before/after pictures?

[shane@detailedreflections]

Glad it worked out for you. Nice work.

[tjk]

Great to hear

[98BlackSierra]

Any before and after photos?  I'm curious to see how it worked for ya.