[photontraveler]

I saw the idea on this site and it saved me about $ 450.00. Thanks. I still have to paint them but it is too cold here.


Here are the tools I used.

[TJDaveX]

Nice. Did you trim them while they were on the Jeep? How long did it take you? I have the same fancy tools in my arsenal and want to do mine! Brrr, it's cold here too.

[97casteeltj]

what'd you save $450 on?

[photontraveler]

Xenon Flares............

[hollywood081470]

you should do a write up and show some close ups...alot of people are probably interested in doing this.....they look good

[97casteeltj]

Originally Posted by photontraveler

Xenon Flares............

oh i thought it was something cool

[photontraveler]

Originally Posted by TJDaveX

Nice. Did you trim them while they were on the Jeep? How long did it take you? I have the same fancy tools in my arsenal and want to do mine! Brrr, it's cold here too.

Marked and trimmed them on the Jeep then knocked the burrs off with the sanding sponge...............They were so cold it was like cutting wood............
Might be why they cut so clean..................

[CrunchTJ]

Good job!

I took a lighter to mine around the edges after I cut to make it smooth (melt the little jagged thingies), and followed up with some sandpaper. FYI in case it helps.

[TheBoogieman]

Another member recently posted pics of his too.I think they look good with the lip left on and the corner light.I'd like to see close ups.

[Hesher420]

I've got some Rubi flares on the way that I'll be doing this to.
Some close up pics would be great.

Heres another thread w/ pics for those interested....

THREAD

[wsm04rubi]

I trimmed mine a couple of months ago. I have regular TJ flares on the front, and Rubicon flares on the rear. I trimmed 1.5" off the front flares and 2" off the rear flares. I used a sabre saw like in the picture above, and followed up with a dremel to even out a couple of rough spots, then a sanding block to take off the sharp edge.

Here are some close-up pics with the old tires still on the heep:




And here are some pics with the new 36" Swampers:

[Jblankster]

i like it! i think ima do this

[CrunchTJ]

Originally Posted by Theboogieman

Another member recently posted pics of his too.I think they look good with the lip left on and the corner light.I'd like to see close ups.

I'll try to get some closeups (black jeep above) tomorrow during the day. I can't find the pics I took during the process, it was a long time ago.

I got my inspiration from this post:
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=427257&highlight=trimmed+fender+f lares

[Jblankster]

my question is, how do you manage to do this without it being uneven etc?

[CrunchTJ]

Make a spacer which measures the amount you want to cut off, and follow it with a pencil around the flare. Then do the same with an exacto knife, cutting VERY lightly. Do that about 5 times, and stay in the lines. You may not want to use the spacer near the lights, depending on how you want it to look when you're done.

Melt the burrs with a lighter (and rebend the edge if it needs it). Sand/File, paint, done.

Look through the entire thread at the link I posted above.

My notes from doing this:

Originally Posted by CrunchTJ

Thanks to the OP for this idea. My flares had taken a beating from tire rubbing, and I wasn't looking to spend a bunch of money on aftermarkets. Tube Fenders are on my to-do list, but REALLY far down.

A good friend gave me the stock flares off of his Columbia Edition. They were painted (the wrong color), and appeared to be more rigid than the ones that came on my TJ. I sanded them, trimmed, and am now preparing them for paint. They look pretty good.

Some words of advice for those planning to undertake this:

1. Pull off your flares. This would have been a PITA to do on the Jeep, with your hands up above you for several hours. It's a LOT of cutting if you use an exacto knife. Besides, measuring is much easier when you have full access to the part you're trimming.

2. Be prepared to paint. If you scratch them in the process of trimming, they'll need paint anyway. As previously mentioned, Krylon Fusion works great.

3. Plan it out! I started as the OP instructed by cutting from underneath. I found to get the look the OP has shown in his pictures, you have to cut more than 1.5". So my first flares got 1.5" cut off, then I had to go back and do it again. By the time I got to the rear flares, I was questioning why I didn't measure and cut from the top-side. Aside from the risk of mis-cutting and scratching the 'meat' of the flares, the top can be measured and cut easier. Regardless of whether you cut from the top or bottom, start really slow. Measure, and draw a good line with something visible. Use the spacer (cardboard works fine), and continually measure to make sure your spacer isn't wandering. Still using your spacer, get a light line with your knife, and go over it several times to ensure your knife doesn't wander off when you start cutting. Make sure the line is good and solid before you start applying any pressure.

4. Be patient: It takes a lot more than 4 cuts when using an exacto knife. Don't force the knife too much, as it could wander off somewhere you don't want it to (like the flare, or your finger!). When you know you're getting close to penetrating, heat can help. I used a lighter to heat up the blade, and it cut like butter. Try to keep light only light pressure on the knife even when you are fixing to penetrate, as forcing the knife through can cause uneven cuts.

5. More patience: After you've cut-out your flares, they may not be perfect. Go back and trim CAREFULLY with the knife, and try to even it up. Trim the under-side edge a little so it doesn't show from the front. When you have it close enough, use a file to work down uneven spots. Use a cigarette lighter to melt the burrs, and smooth the surface down. Finish up with sandpaper to make everything smooth, even, and correct remaining imperfections.

.