Do black fenders color fade with time?

[Gus]

Hi all.
I am tying to make up my mind wether to go with body color JL fenders or Black for my rubicon. ? Any pros or cons? Does the black fender color fade with time ?
I like the rugged look of the black fender, I just don’t want to have them fade from the sun down the road.
Any Feedback is appreciated.

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[Ryan_Barnes]

They will fade. Sun kills everything eventually.

 

[Riviera]

They will fade. Sun kills everything eventually.

Like he said. And that's why there are products like "back to black".

 

[Nate]

Go find a Chevy Avalanche.... LOL loved mine, hated the plastic.

UV exposure will break down just about anything if given enough time. Some polymers resist better than others, but generally aren’t as flexible as the case would need to be for the fenders. Thankfully there are restoration products available to combat this.

 

[Zoobie]

I had a '98 TJ with black fenders, and after about 10 years they faded into an ugly gray. Every spring I would put Back-to-Black on them, twice a year probably would have been better... but not more than that. When I bought my '15 JKU, I got the color fenders specifically because of this problem. The problem with the color fenders is the branches scratch them, especially on the edges. The rear gets it the worst, as you also have rocks that will come off the front tires and hit the rear fenders and put dents in them. So if you offroad a lot... the color matched aren't going to last over time.

 

[Riviera]

When we would take an old TJ in on trade ( I work in parts at a dealership), I would always try to get sales to replace the flares because they would be light gray. Back to black helps a lot, but if they're too far gone, you either live with it or replace.

 

[Mac]

They don't fade, just put some 303 protectant on them from time to time.

 

[Riviera]

They don't fade, just put some 303 protectant on them from time to time.

They don't huh? I'm gonna call BS

 

[ThirtyOne]

So can someone bottom line it? If you are getting the black flares and you want a regular routine to keep them black, what would it be?

 

[warc1]

I have a 2010 Rubicon with black fenders. It wouldn't surprise me to find they have faded to some degree if I ever parked next to a new JK. However, I can't tell and they remain a visual match to the black painted rock rails. It's being traded in on a factory ordered JL that is configured with black fenders for the reasons Zoobie stated.

 

[Mac]

They don't huh? I'm gonna call BS

Ok, I will back up my statement, here is a random 10 year old JK with 160k on it, check out the fenders and bumpers,https://www.ebay.com/itm/2007-Jeep-...ash=item2f13df967d:g:9VUAAOSwuHdaZAxo&vxp=mtr
I have owned several JKs never any issue with faded fenders or bumpers.

 

[Riviera]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-Jeep-...ash=item1c9ef75fb9:g:GmMAAOSwZLZaTVcT&vxp=mtr

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-Jeep-...ash=item3afeb1e139:g:MQwAAOSw4EhaZA5l&vxp=mtr

The one you posted DEFINITELY had some product on the fenders. Granted, if it's parked in a garage, it helps, but the sun is a beast.

 

[Andy2434]

All plastic fades given enough time and the right conditions. Upkeep is your friend.

 

[guarnibl]

Helps if it's IL

Out here in AZ, GL, garaged or not.

 

[jaldeborgh]

Fading is a function of location, if the Jeep is garaged and care of the vehicle. It's similar to a convertible top. I have a Boxster that I bought new in 2001 and the top is still almost perfect and the rear plastic window is very clear. The reason, the car has always been garaged, never driven in the winter and only has 39K miles on the clock, plus I live in New England. Everything fades in the sun given enough exposure. If your jeep is going to live out-of-doors in AZ or FL your going to need extra protection for the plastic and the paint.