PAINTED MUDFLAPS for Prius...anyone bought these??

There are (at least ) two threads on people who have painted them . One did it himself and said in great detail how he did it. If you can't find the thread, post back, and I'll post the link later, from my laptop where I have it bookmarked.
Another person recently had it done by a shop for roughly $50 and loves it.

It's something I plan to do in the next few months. I agree it looks better.

 

Would appreciate posting that link ... would certainly be interested in the process ....
Thanks,
radmangto

 

Mud flaps get hit pretty hard with little stones and other bits of debris, and I'm not convinced the paint would last very long. Maybe solid black plastic is the way to go.

 

Good point. I was hoping some paint formulary that is used on current Prius flexible panels would work and inhibit dings, etc. ... just thinking out of da box ... :>))

 

here ya go


http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...s/84322-been-slow-week-so-i-got-creative.html


it was about the license holder- no wonder you couldn't find it! but it would prob work on the mud flaps too???

sorry- I had a brain fart on this one

 

Stay tuned, I'm in the process of doing this following the step that danvee did w/his license plate holder. Results & pix to follow soon.

 

I did this with my 2006 Prius right after I picked it up. There were directions on the net for painting automotive plastics.
First, cleaning of the surface to be painted with a Grease&Wax remover so the Adhesion Promoter would grip better, followed by scuffing of surface with 800 grit sandpaper and a good cleaning of any dust, etc. If washing part, allow to dry very thoroughly. Then I used Dupli-Color Adhesion Promoter for Automotive Plastics (there are probably a number of similar products). Then applied the primer (if applicable for your paint) followed by the color coat per the paint instructions. I followed that with a clear coat once dry.
The results have held up well for the past 6 years with just some wear-thru at the outer edges from car-wash wheel scrubbers. A good thing as I am about to repeat the process. The dealer called today to inform me my 2012 Prius Four just arrived at the dock and should be here soon. I already have the flaps, AP and paint ready to go, just need free time and some cooperation from the weather.

 

BTW, shouldn't this thread be in the accessories & modifications? Oh well, as promised here is some pix. of painted mudguards I just finished. Sorry that pix. aren't the best. For good measure, I also did the front license plate holder.

 

SoCal--they look AwESOME!
You said u followed Danvee's thread but would you mind summarizing what you bought and where & How you prepped the areas,etc.?

 

Looks great!
I'm positive, though, that the paint will not hold up over time on the mudguards. After over a year I've had to do minimal touchup on the plate frame, but the guards take a TON more abuse.
I'd be thinking along the lines of putting some of the 3M protective film over them.
If you note, most of the factory installed color-matched guards are, in fact, molded in color.
Please post back as to how they hold up.

 

Nice job! It doesn't look like the flaps / guards are a rough surfaced rubber or vinyl like I imagined they would be. Are they some sort of hard plastic and not in fact rubber? If they are flexible I'd be afraid of the paint coming off when they bend

I had a set of hard plastic color coded ones on my G35 and they really looked nice wish they didn't charge an arm and a leg to have them pre-done.


Regards

 

Hi danvee! I should have pm'd & asked u how the plate frame was holding up, now I know. Is the 3M film a spray as well & would it be in your opinion a good protection layer on top of the triple thick clear glaze I currently have on the mudflaps? FYI, I put a ton of the glaze because the paint seemed to be constantly abrasive & powdery so putting on extra of the glaze seemed to minimize( I would say I put approx. 3-4 thick coats)

 

Yes, I followed the exact steps of danvee's license plate frame paint mod to my Euro version mud guards & license plate frame. The only thing I deviated from his instruction was that I let it dry about 12-14 hours instead of 24 hours & I sprayed at least 3 probably 4 thick coats of the glaze(last step). Not sure on the material but it feels like durable (hard)plastic, not rubbery at all. I hope I answered everyone's questions. I'll probably install these sometime next week when I reinstall my aftermarket wheels. And definitely, I will update to u guys & girls on how they are holding up (crossing fingers).

 

That is the big problem I see with this! They are going to get dinged so fast and so badly that just leaving them black may be better. Armorall them, or wipe with what ever coating you like with your cars wash routine would probably end up looking the best!