Cost to paint fender flares?

[JL724]

Looking at a 25 raptor that was unfortunately optioned without the body color matched flares. Anyone have theirs painted and if so, what was the cost?

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[helifino16]

LOL - yeah, they kind of 'stand out' in black huh?

 

[Tolzer]

Depending on the route chosen, painting the fender flares will typically range from $400 to $1,500 for a full set of four.

Because standard factory flares (like the textured Molded-In-Color plastic ones) require significant prep work to achieve a smooth, long-lasting finish, the total cost depends entirely on whether you have a local shop paint the current ones or purchase pre-painted replacements.

Option 1: Local Auto Body Shop (Painting Your Existing Flares)

Estimated Cost: $400 – $1,000 total (or roughly $100 to $250 per flare)

Taking the current flares to a local body shop is often the most straightforward route, but it requires a shop that knows how to handle textured raw plastic. The shop cannot simply spray paint over the bare plastic; the paint will flake off within months. They must thoroughly clean, aggressively sand down the texture to a "Class A" smooth finish, apply a specialized plastic adhesion promoter, layout a primer, and then shoot the base coat and clear coat. Some shops may quote on the higher end (closer to $800–$1,000) because sanding down the factory texture is incredibly labor-intensive. Always ensure the shop offers a warranty against peeling, as plastic expansion and trail debris put painted flares to the test.

Option 2: Buying Aftermarket Pre-Painted Flares

Estimated Cost: $1,200 – $1,500 total

Another popular alternative—especially if you want to keep your original flares pristine as backups—is buying a brand-new set of flares that come professional paint-matched right out of the box from off-road and aftermarket suppliers. These are typically molded from smooth, paintable ABS plastic right from the start, ensuring a factory-perfect finish.

If your Bronco sees regular off-road use, painted flares look incredibly sharp but are highly susceptible to rock chips, brush pin-striping, and debris thrown up by the tires. If you decide to go through with the paint match, it is highly recommended to budget a little extra to have a local detailer apply Paint Protection Film (PPF) to the forward-facing curves of the flares to keep that fresh paint from chipping down to the primer.

Keep your original flares for off road use.

 

[JL724]

Depending on the route chosen, painting the fender flares will typically range from $400 to $1,500 for a full set of four.

Because standard factory flares (like the textured Molded-In-Color plastic ones) require significant prep work to achieve a smooth, long-lasting finish, the total cost depends entirely on whether you have a local shop paint the current ones or purchase pre-painted replacements.

Option 1: Local Auto Body Shop (Painting Your Existing Flares)

Estimated Cost: $400 – $1,000 total (or roughly $100 to $250 per flare)

Taking the current flares to a local body shop is often the most straightforward route, but it requires a shop that knows how to handle textured raw plastic. The shop cannot simply spray paint over the bare plastic; the paint will flake off within months. They must thoroughly clean, aggressively sand down the texture to a "Class A" smooth finish, apply a specialized plastic adhesion promoter, layout a primer, and then shoot the base coat and clear coat. Some shops may quote on the higher end (closer to $800–$1,000) because sanding down the factory texture is incredibly labor-intensive. Always ensure the shop offers a warranty against peeling, as plastic expansion and trail debris put painted flares to the test.

Option 2: Buying Aftermarket Pre-Painted Flares

Estimated Cost: $1,200 – $1,500 total

Another popular alternative—especially if you want to keep your original flares pristine as backups—is buying a brand-new set of flares that come professional paint-matched right out of the box from off-road and aftermarket suppliers. These are typically molded from smooth, paintable ABS plastic right from the start, ensuring a factory-perfect finish.

If your Bronco sees regular off-road use, painted flares look incredibly sharp but are highly susceptible to rock chips, brush pin-striping, and debris thrown up by the tires. If you decide to go through with the paint match, it is highly recommended to budget a little extra to have a local detailer apply Paint Protection Film (PPF) to the forward-facing curves of the flares to keep that fresh paint from chipping down to the primer.

Keep your original flares for off road use.

thanks but this is for a raptor so they don’t need the prep work because they’re not textured like the non bronco models.

 

[HeliPilot]

I had mine color matched. $1k

 

[JL724]

I had mine color matched. $1k

thanks.

 

[userdude]

I had mine color matched. $1k

Great comparison of why they look better painted: Light reflections just show the contours too much and make them stick out. Painted, of course, they blend a lot more. I figure Ford didn't paint them cuz "It's for off road derp!", but as a psuedo-luxury off roader, they just look better painted. Which is odd, I don't prefer the full size flares be painted.

 

[JL724]

Great comparison of why they look better painted: Light reflections just show the contours too much and make them stick out. Painted, of course, they blend a lot more. I figure Ford didn't paint them cuz "It's for off road derp!", but as a psuedo-luxury off roader, they just look better painted. Which is odd, I don't prefer the full size flares be painted.

agree and also don’t understand why ford doesn’t paint match the door handles. Just looks cheap on a car like this.

 

[userdude]

agree and also don’t understand why ford doesn’t paint match the door handles. Just looks cheap on a car like this.

Maybe the same off roader reasoning? I dunno, it does seem like the Braptor would if the OBX does. Different color schemes, so I guess just getting some of those wouldn't work as easily. In any event, I don't notice the door handles as much, so they don't bother me either way, bit I can see it bothering some folk.

 

[Porque No]

Did you have yours done at a body shop or the dealer?

 

[HeliPilot]

Did you have yours done at a body shop or the dealer?

I went with a body shop.

 

[Inthenoise]

'25 OBX SAS, here. Azure Grey. Handles are painted and that def elevates the look. The flares are unpainted, which, IMO works w the Sasquatch tires. Looks good on the highway but can roll up its sleeves and get busy, lol. The flares switch out in seconds so have thought about getting a paint-matched set but not a high priority. She's a beauty.

 

[Magic88]

Paint to match for the win. Just makes the Broncos look cleaner and not so chopped up. We don't offroad, just speed bumps at the mall when the wife goes shopping. I bought these off ebay for $1,300.00, keeping the stock sasquatch flares to put on the one time a year now it snows in Nebraska

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