Bushwacker Flares

I have been running Bushwacker fender flares for close to 20 years and this last batch has been terrible for staying in place. The glue backing that holds the gasket in place is terrible on this last batch. Bushwacker customer service has been awesome sending me a roll of gasket material to redo all 4. It’s a good thing because in 6 months I will have had to redo 3 out of the 4, where am I going with this other than venting.

I saw some smooth factory flares on a forerunner today that looked great and was curious if anyone that I’d running the smooth factory flares having trouble with them?

 

I think I posted on the BW pocket flares a while back on this very issue

The gasket material on my set was terrible; poor fitting (gaps) with very little adhesion (kept coming off) I ended up taking them completely off and applying clear paint protector in the area of the gasket and installing a (1/8) wider and better gasket recommended by others with similar issues. The difference is night and day! So far so good. ( I check them regularly!)
This is after a $700 investment for the flares and custom paint and a year of frustration, asking questions and ultimately realizing that if I didn’t do something, the flares would permanently damage the paint. Honestly, even with better adhesion, the gasket that came with the set is too narrow inside and out for proper coverage completely across the flare.

 

Where did you get the wider gaskets?

 

Link to the larger gasket? Thanks.

 

I will get it to you in a few. Also you want to consider a clear paint protector applied beneath the area where the gasket rubs because eventually the vibration will mar your finish. I will send you that as well.

 

Here it is. FYI I was careful with waste and ended up a few inches short on my last flare, so had to finish up with a short piece of the old one. This brand had been recommended by someone and I was very happy with the adhesion. Also let them adhere off the truck for a day and they were solidly adhered.
You can get some 3M clear paint protector. I use the 1 inch wide and it curves nicely to the shape of the flare.

 

Are they flush against your fenders? That might be why the gasket is coming off if not. I had some Bushwackers on my 2010 and they fit good. Bought the same type for my 2018 and they never fit right. They had a big gap between the flares and the truck. My gasket was coming off too because of that. I threw them away and bought another brand which fit much better and the gasket hasn’t come off. The kind I have now is RDJ.

 

I pit some 3/4 on mine when i installed them. I just didn't have any luck finding a larger seal.

 

They are flush now but only because of the wider gasket. I agree with your take on them. Adhesion was only one of the problems. I wasn’t impressed with the fit at all. There were gaps in a lot of places. It’s a well reviewed product but I wouldn’t buy them again. Their molds must be worn out... something is off.

 

I didn't have any gaps in mine. The only issue I had is with a couple of the bolts in the wheel well that weren't aligned at the top.

 

Any pics you could post of those? I had not heard of those before.

 

I’ll try to get some pics tomorrow. I got them off Amazon. I got the textured one but it comes in smooth too.

 

I just called the people at Bushwacker and spoke to a tech and he said the trim they sent with Tundras is a wiper blade type trim and they have had issues so they are sending me what’s called a “C” channel type gasket for free which will work properly.

 

Post pictures of the gaskets that they send you. I just put BW flares on mine a month ago and the seal is the same as it has been with their products for years.

 

Mine were fine for the first coupe of months, then the adhesive let go and they started failing. I called Bushwacker and they sent me 30 more feet of the same material and this stuff is even worse. They are aware of the problem and will take care of you. If/when it fails ask for 30' of the "C" channel stuff.

 

Thanks. I'm calling them tomorrow to see if hey will do the same for me.

 

Ask for a tech when you call , I got one named Josh and he was cool as hell.

 

I just cleaned her up so she will be ready for the new gaskets.

 

Nice! Did you put PPF on before the flares?

 

i had them on for two yrs on my 08 before taking them off to do paint correction, xpel ppf and ceramicpro. they sent me some new gaskets that aren't as snug as originals. i had some paint damage and a bunch of dirt under even though the original gaskets seemed like they were snug. since i have ppf there now it's a good piece of mind even for pinstripes when offroad.

 

Negative, but I have some 3m ready to go when I switch these out.

 

@mambo143 do you have a close up picture of yours installed. I'm wanting to see how the gasket sits against the paint.

Im trying to use it on the Tyger Auto flares (appear to be Bushwacker knock off, but reasonable quality) . It looks like the gasket would point straight at the paint with its sharp edge.

I was wondering if yours does this, or maybe the lip on the Bushwackers is different?

Thanks!

 

That’s almost exactly the same as the Bushwacker flare gaskets are (and have been for years)but the new ones they sent me are different.

A lot of people will loosely mount them up and mark the edges and then apply a clear 3m adhesive tape to protect their paint.

I have a lot going on medically with myself and family members so am a bit tied up with regards to sending pics but give me a couple of days and I will send a pic of Bushwacker actual gasket and their new style gasket they sent me last week.

 

I am planning to get some 3M tape.

The pictures would be great when you have a chance. Thanks!

 

@Rbohno hey man, hope the medical stuff is working out.

I have several different gaskets, trying to decide which to use. I have wiper style and c style. If you find any time, can you send me the pictures of the gaskets you got from Bushwacker?

Have you installed the c style yet? Any gaps?

 

Any pictures of the "C" style?

 

They are at my office, but I'll get it next week.

They are shaped like a "c" with tape on half

 

The “C” channel stuff is what Bushwacker sent me the third time. The sent the other material with the original order and the replacement gasket.