Prevent rust with Flexy Flares

[UVB76]

Hey all.

I have a '99 GU and have been taking steps to reduce the risk of rust. I decided to replace the stock flares with Bushranger Flexy Flares but strangely Bushranger's instructions don't mention rust prevention. The Flexy Flares are screwed in which exposes bare metal, and it's not like the wheel arches are dry areas.

What's the best strategy to keep the screw holes rust free? I was going to paint them with some White Knight Rust Guard enamel stuff but not sure if there's a better product?

Cheers for your advice.

[Winnie]

Are you able to drill all the holes, paint over them, and use rivets, or nuts and bolts? Heaps better than tek screwing into the metal!
Not a good spot for it either as mud will sit there and rust for sure!

[AB]

I don't like the tek screw method either.

For mine I drilled the holes, painted and riveted and also dabbed each stainless steel rivet with sikaflex before installing. Took a bit of time but well worth it.

[mudnut]

I went with the screws that were supplied, then dabbed under body paint before doing them up. After almost two years I found some had started to have surface rust. I have now used stainless screws and fish oil and will check them every 12 months..
I shoulda researched how to fit them as the above advice seems to be the way to go.

[garett]

i just took off flexi flares fitted with tek screws been in there 15 years, screws thead had rusted away but panel is fine. no special care was taken when installing

[MudRunnerTD]

Tek screws are fine. Be aware though that Flexiflares are now considered unroadworthy in some states!! Rediculous!!

[UVB76]

Are you able to drill all the holes, paint over them, and use rivets, or nuts and bolts? Heaps better than tek screwing into the metal!
Not a good spot for it either as mud will sit there and rust for sure!

Yeah, first I drilled 3mm holes, filed off sharp edges, and then used the screws that came with the kit. Not keen on using rivets but do you think stainless steel nuts/bolts would be better than the screws? Would I need washers?

For mine I drilled the holes, painted and riveted and also dabbed each stainless steel rivet with sikaflex before installing. Took a bit of time but well worth it.

I think I'll follow your method but I'm not familiar with Sikaflex. I had a look in Bunnings tonight and there's a few products in the range - which one did you use?

Be aware though that Flexiflares are now considered unroadworthy in some states!! Rediculous!!

I'm not really surprised! Some of the roadworthy regs are unreasonable and, IMO, unjustifiable. I suppose I'll take my chances if it means reducing the risk of rust, though.

[mudnut]

Tek screws are fine. Be aware though that Flexiflares are now considered unroadworthy in some states!! Rediculous!!

Which states MR? I had the S.A. car yard I bought the Old Trol (with a so-called Roadworthy) off supply me with the flares as the tyres stuck out a bit. What type of flares are legal?

[Squalo]

I haven't heard of Flexy Flares (or any similar styles such as Bushrangers) being deemed unroadworthy, but there does seem to be some attention being paid to the 'Bunnings' garden-edging flares that a lot of people run. Probably because they are hard and relatively sharp-edged.

[MudRunnerTD]

As I understand it it has been deemed recently that a flat must be a hard element that deflects a person off the wheel, a flexi flare or bushranger type stops water spray but not impact.

The Vic Police have been pinging people for them!! Outrageous! I have no proof of this but will do a search and see what I can find. Makes sense just a crappy decision.