Looking for aluminum fender options

whataboutbob

Jeep Newb
I am looking at doing aluminum tubular fenders in raw with shark Hyde. I like metal cloak fenders but want to keep road debris off the sides. Looking at gen right or wishbone off-road, wishbone are a lot less money. Anyone have experience with either? Other options?
 

TJ_Tim

Jeep Newb
What the heck is shark Hyde?
SHARKHIDE is a metal protective coating that can be bushed or sprayed. It etches the metal as it dries to directly bond to the surface it is applied to. Keeps the raw look but has the protection of paint or any other coting to prevent rust and corrosion.
 

Pthorpe84

Moderator
Staff member
SHARKHIDE is a metal protective coating that can be bushed or sprayed. It etches the metal as it dries to directly bond to the surface it is applied to. Keeps the raw look but has the protection of paint or any other coting to prevent rust and corrosion.
Thanks for the info. Being I’m in the protective coatings business you would think I would know about that. Learn something everyday. Thank you.
 

Yson

Jeep Newb
I'd like to add a question to this post... Being from QC canada and having to deal with all the bad weather / snow and cold winters .. we have loads of salt being put down on our roads.. I know aluminium does not rust but how will the paint hold on aluminium fenders ? It might be a stupid question to some of you but i'm a total dumbass when it comes to painting and all that and I really like to keep my rig clean and good looking. Scars from trails are tolerated :p
 

Pthorpe84

Moderator
Staff member
I'd like to add a question to this post... Being from QC canada and having to deal with all the bad weather / snow and cold winters .. we have loads of salt being put down on our roads.. I know aluminium does not rust but how will the paint hold on aluminium fenders ? It might be a stupid question to some of you but i'm a total dumbass when it comes to painting and all that and I really like to keep my rig clean and good looking. Scars from trails are tolerated :p
The paint will adhere just fine as long as it’s prepped and primed properly. The issue you can run into with aluminum is the contact of dissimilar metals, which will cause corrosion. One thing that many folks do not realize, is that aluminum can rust. It’s reffered to as white rust and is caused by salts. Another item you can run into is pitting in the aluminum, which is just another form of corrosion in that metal. Usually caused by acids and salts. Have them powder coated by a professional and you will be fine. I work for a coatings manifacturer and NACE Level II. Feel free to hit me up with any questions on coatings and corrosion. 👍🏻
 

whataboutbob

Jeep Newb
so i ponied up and got the gen-right fenders. still considering powder coating black. i'll let it grow on me a bit before i decide. the wife drove it to work with two fenders installed and didn't notice until she got home, if they were black she would have never known.
 

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Pthorpe84

Moderator
Staff member
so i ponied up and got the gen-right fenders. still considering powder coating black. i'll let it grow on me a bit before i decide. the wife drove it to work with two fenders installed and didn't notice until she got home, if they were black she would have never known.
Those look great man. Any issues with the install?
 

whataboutbob

Jeep Newb
They fit extremely well. they provide an extra piece to close in the back of the stock inner fenders that give it a good finished look
 

AMcBride423

Jeep Owner
+2 for the GenRight flares. I just got their Narrow Aluminum flares in November for Black Friday. I just left mine raw, no protective coatings and they are holding up great to the salt here in Ohio.
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rubiconhardrock

Jeep Newb
so i ponied up and got the gen-right fenders. still considering powder coating black. i'll let it grow on me a bit before i decide. the wife drove it to work with two fenders installed and didn't notice until she got home, if they were black she would have never known.
Looks great! I'm in the position now that you were in back in January (gen right, metalcloak, or another manufacturer). Did you end up doing sharkhide? If not, are the fenders coated at all?
 

whataboutbob

Jeep Newb
Looks great! I'm in the position now that you were in back in January (gen right, metalcloak, or another manufacturer). Did you end up doing sharkhide? If not, are the fenders coated at all?
So I did put sharkhyde on two of them. I fit two with nothing to see how i liked the raw look, afterward i sprayed the other two with sharkhyde intending to pull the first two off and spray them but time has not permitted yet. S far I can't tell where there has been any change in the uncoated ones. The raw aluminum look has definitely grown on me though.
 

whataboutbob

Jeep Newb
Genright is odd in how they identify their fenders. The narrow only effects the front fender making it 2" slimmer than stock which lines up closer with the 4" rear. They had offered a 6" wide but they said they don't even list it due to low demand. I am really happy with their product and think it is a good compromise in coverage.
 

Yson

Jeep Newb
so i ponied up and got the gen-right fenders. still considering powder coating black. i'll let it grow on me a bit before i decide. the wife drove it to work with two fenders installed and didn't notice until she got home, if they were black she would have never known.
How wide is your backspacing? Tires and wheels don't seem to be outside of the fenders much!? I have to have full tire coverage where I live so it's hard for me to choose which fenders to go with.. Was thinking either MC or wide PS but these look great!
 

whataboutbob

Jeep Newb
How wide is your backspacing? Tires and wheels don't seem to be outside of the fenders much!? I have to have full tire coverage where I live so it's hard for me to choose which fenders to go with.. Was thinking either MC or wide PS but these look great!
Sorry, haven't been on the forum in a bit. Wheels are 17x8.5 with 4.75 backspacing
 
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