$4 'JDM' mudflaps
Charb
Administrator
Most of you know, I hate inflation. I'll retro anything myself over paying a stupid price. And I'm sure as shit not paying $300 for 'JDM' mudflaps. Especially when I can get them from my local junkyard for $20 and buy a $4 paint pen.
I've been wanting JDM style mudflaps forever. But didn't have much good info on what to use for DIY. I won't take credit for this mod. But felt it should be shared.
Thanks to Knottyy for finding the good stuff!
I went four places looking for this pen specifically. I went to Michael's and they were out of stock. A local general store with no selection. Hobby Lobby to find out they were closed on Sundays (basterds!). Then finally a local art supply store near downtown Spokane, WA (Spokane Art Supply for locals. Open 12-5 on Sundays!)
$4.12 after tax.
I had done a couple Back to Black treatments on the mudflaps before I decided to do this. So they needed a good cleaning with some dish soap before I applied paint.
*100 in Spokane on Sunday. I loved it. But most were bitching. Only took a few minutes to dry... (92 Corrado VR6 there... LOVE that car!)
Originally planned to hit the letters with some sand paper to tack up the surface a bit. But the scrub job I did with the dish pad did a pretty good job.
I also planned to mask off a bunch. But after applying paint to the first mudflap, I didn't feel it was necessary. I did get a few spots. But most wiped up very clean after initial dripping. But I did use a touch of Acetone to clean up some spots after.
The paint delivery from these pens can be a little tricky. I'd definitely practice on something first if I was to do it again. After pooling some paint on this first letter, I got the feel for the pen and the rest of the applications was insanely easy. I don't have the most steady of hand, but it was very easy to do a clean job just taking my time and going slow.
Gave them some time to dry between rounds. About an hour in the sun. It was *100 yesterday, but I did it around 6pm (not as hot), and made sure the flaps never got too hot. If I was to do it again, I would give it 24 hours to dry before applying a second coat. Some of it picked up when applying the second coat. Causing some small clumps. Nothing you would ever notice unless you're 6 inches away. And I doubt anyone will be 6 inches away lol
(sorry for the dark pics, I'll update later)
Overall I couldn't be happier with the way they turned out. I really like the way the white accents my color. They had a bunch of different colors. If I had a gold or blue or red RT, I'd probably go with those colors instead. Before you consider $300 mudflaps, consider $4 paint pen lolol
I've been wanting JDM style mudflaps forever. But didn't have much good info on what to use for DIY. I won't take credit for this mod. But felt it should be shared.
Thanks to Knottyy for finding the good stuff!
I went four places looking for this pen specifically. I went to Michael's and they were out of stock. A local general store with no selection. Hobby Lobby to find out they were closed on Sundays (basterds!). Then finally a local art supply store near downtown Spokane, WA (Spokane Art Supply for locals. Open 12-5 on Sundays!)
$4.12 after tax.
I had done a couple Back to Black treatments on the mudflaps before I decided to do this. So they needed a good cleaning with some dish soap before I applied paint.
*100 in Spokane on Sunday. I loved it. But most were bitching. Only took a few minutes to dry... (92 Corrado VR6 there... LOVE that car!)
Originally planned to hit the letters with some sand paper to tack up the surface a bit. But the scrub job I did with the dish pad did a pretty good job.
I also planned to mask off a bunch. But after applying paint to the first mudflap, I didn't feel it was necessary. I did get a few spots. But most wiped up very clean after initial dripping. But I did use a touch of Acetone to clean up some spots after.
The paint delivery from these pens can be a little tricky. I'd definitely practice on something first if I was to do it again. After pooling some paint on this first letter, I got the feel for the pen and the rest of the applications was insanely easy. I don't have the most steady of hand, but it was very easy to do a clean job just taking my time and going slow.
Gave them some time to dry between rounds. About an hour in the sun. It was *100 yesterday, but I did it around 6pm (not as hot), and made sure the flaps never got too hot. If I was to do it again, I would give it 24 hours to dry before applying a second coat. Some of it picked up when applying the second coat. Causing some small clumps. Nothing you would ever notice unless you're 6 inches away. And I doubt anyone will be 6 inches away lol
(sorry for the dark pics, I'll update later)
Overall I couldn't be happier with the way they turned out. I really like the way the white accents my color. They had a bunch of different colors. If I had a gold or blue or red RT, I'd probably go with those colors instead. Before you consider $300 mudflaps, consider $4 paint pen lolol
Comments
I painted mine the same way you did yours a couple years ago (when I got them brand new for $9 thanks to a clear out of old stock)
The front ones didnt last too long as they constantly scraped on the road and the paint cracked and peeled off, the rears lasted perfectly right up until I sold it
You can sort of see the rears here:
http://www.ep-importers.com/apps/webstore/products/show/3008667
Clearly I didn't do a lot of research before pulling the trigger. The fronts aren't painted either apparently.
I still like them
To add to what Charb has already posted, be sure to try and get an oil-based pen. They supposedly last longer in all weather situations. I found that I got the best flow from the pen when I would depress the tip with a finger tip and shake the holy hell out of the pen. After that it should be flowing good and putting down a nice layer of paint should be a bit easier. Just be careful of your cloths and your car because spots can fly if you're not careful. I ended up doing three coats in total, spaced out by a minimum of an hour. You could get away with less time I'm sure. It really is a nice accent on the cheap. Most people I show don't even realize what I did, they think it's factory painted at first.
I would do the front too but the whole word got scraped off lol.
the smile on your face is disturbing, very disturbing, hannibal lecter-esque
[did mine as well. cheap and did not come out to bad.
friends are jealous!
I mentioned that above when I provided a link to some for sale for $300 lol
I still like it the way I did them. It's funny, besides the paint, the flaps and my rolled lip are my favorite mods lol