Tremor Fender “Flares” no gasket

[KrazyTrane]

I detailed my truck the other day and noticed the ‘flares’ (they don’t really flare but are essentially flares) have no gasket where they meet the truck. That allows water and dirt to easily get behind and sit in there (which I’m not thrilled about in terms of long term damage) but it is also very difficult to clean what can be seen. The flares I put on my f150 had a rubber gasket that went all around where the plastic met the metal and made cleaning easy. Has anyone noticed this and come up with a gasket or other way of keeping that area clean? Or am I just too overzealous?

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[Jhbryaniv]

I think you are thinking to much.

I foam the truck, and just use a soft detailing brush to get in that crack.

I figure it'll be lots and lots of miles before I have to worry about rust back there...

 

[redone17]

I’m about to install a set on my Lariat - I believe they come with the clips, but no gasket as mentioned. I see a lot of the aftermarket flares have a rubber weatherstrip. Honestly, I wonder if that would just hold moisture and salt and in the end be worse.

 

[Loweredon33s]

I have a set on my Lariat, I just wash it like normal. The original (non Tremor) wheel arches didn’t have anything either. The aftermarket includes “gaskets” to minimize the flares edges from gouging the fender and paint. The gasket they include is more a protector and it’s suited to that design. Tremor flares mount and flex and vibrate differently than big aftermarket flares that don’t really fit like an oe one does.

 

[RedDakooter05]

I don't have links handy atm, but amazon/ebay search for fender flare Gasket or seal. I've ordered gaskets for flares in the past.

 

[NotBudule]

That clear paint protection wrap may come in handy for this methinks...

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

KjK,

You’re worrying too much about something you shouldn’t.

The wheel arch trim pieces are really no different than what’s on non-Tremors, except for their profile. There are many other items installed over body panels such as tail lights, tailgate trim, bed rail caps, bumper valance, etc. These things all let dirt and water behind or underneath them but I don’t think many people worry about what’s getting in behind their tail lights or their fender vent covers.

I’m about to install a set on my Lariat - I believe they come with the clips, but no gasket as mentioned. I see a lot of the aftermarket flares have a rubber weatherstrip. Honestly, I wonder if that would just hold moisture and salt and in the end be worse.

As for the rubber “gasket” on aftermarket flares, as @Loweredon33s pointed out, they are not there to keep out dirt and water. They are there as an interface between the edge of the hard plastic flares and the fender panels. They flex and bend, allowing dust, water, salt, and debris in. They also rub and vibrate against the panel, leaving deep gouges in the clear coat - ask me how I know.

 

[Dgc333]

FWIW, I had a Dakota with the factory flares. They had double back foam tape between the flare and the body. The gap held a lot of crap that was not easily cleaned out.

 

[Grandaccess]

yous guys wash your truck?
your washing the protective dirt off LOL and then rain and snow can sit right on your paint
my last truck may have gotten washed once every other year ....

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