On most modern cars you can see plastic elements inside the wheel arches. These are nothing more than fender liners or lockers. These elements perform a fairly important function. Lockers are designed to protect the bottom and underwheel space of the car from dirt, water, dust, and reagents that fly out from under the wheels. And if water, dirt and dust cannot cause significant damage to the body, then the reagents are quite dangerous. Installing wheel arch liners is an important part of car care. Let's see what lockers exist and how to install them correctly.
Types of fender liner
In the modern car spare parts market, various types of wheel arch liners are widely represented. They differ in materials. Plastic, polyethylene, and fiberglass accessories are especially popular. Previously, there were also metal fender liners - they were made mainly of aluminum and galvanized sheet steel. But today metal fender liners are not relevant and are practically not used.
Also, in addition to solid fender liners, there are also liquid ones. These are special formulations in aerosol cans. They are applied to the space under the wing and are designed to protect the metal from moisture, dirt, and reagents. But over time, the protective coating wears off and you have to reapply the layer.
What if the car has been in use for more than 6 years?
Expert advice on replacing the clutch cable on a Lada Granta
Here, guys, it is better to install fender liners, the point here is this - the composition of polyvinyl chloride, bitumen or wax, wears out over time, sometimes even falls off. Therefore, the metal is left alone with the harmful environment. Again, sand and salt on the roads act as an abrasive compound that wears off not only the protective compound, but also paint and even primer from the bottom. Therefore, metal left without protection very quickly rusts and then rots. So they will come in handy here, as they will not allow sand and salt to wear off this composition and will save you from any external influence.
And in general, after six to seven years of operation of the car, it is necessary to carry out preventative maintenance on the body, it is advisable to once again apply a protective composition to the bottom and under the wings of the car. Install protective fender liners, treat hard-to-reach cavities, etc. This way, you will extend the life of the car body by several more years.
Plastic and fiberglass
ABC plastic is used to make these parts. It has all the advantages of polyethylene, but is more rigid. Such products are found in stores very often. These wheel arch liners are also easy to repair. If a plastic product is wrapped under a wheel, it will simply become deformed or break. The metal part in this case may damage the wheel.
Fiberglass is even more rigid and therefore products made from it are not very popular among car owners. But if necessary, fiberglass fender liners are also easy and good to restore and will not harm the car in a critical situation.
Armored film
This innovation appeared relatively recently, but has already gained considerable popularity. Abroad, the use of armored film, which perfectly protects especially vulnerable areas of a car, is practiced on the assembly line, preserving sills, aprons, bumpers, glass lamps and headlights, and other important parts of the body and interior. Such films come in different thicknesses and also give an amazing positive effect. Many drivers are attracted by the fact that they are invisible from the outside and do not spoil the design or aesthetic impression of the car. A certain disadvantage is sometimes called the fact that it is very difficult to install such a film on your own - this can only be done by experienced specialists in a specialized place.
How to choose?
Installing fender liners should protect the car. Therefore, you should first choose and buy these parts wisely.
Usually the product indicates the make of the car for which the part is intended. The marking also encrypts the installation side - rear or front. Sometimes the manufacturer's brand is indicated, and even less often it is possible to determine the material from which the part is made from the markings.
When choosing a kit for installing fender liners on a Renault, you should pay attention not only to the cost, as most car enthusiasts often do. The material and shape of the part are very important. Manufacturers can produce different parts for one car. Some fender liners have mud flaps that form a single piece with the fender liner. They can significantly reduce the contamination of the wing on the side, on the door side. In addition, these products are more rigid.
Next important is strength. To install the fender liners, you will need a kit where the material is not too soft, but not too hard. If the part is soft or partially deformed, then this indicates that the economical manufacturer used recycled material as the starting material. The material undergoes rapid aging; on a frosty day, such a fender liner can easily break into pieces by hand. On a hot summer day, the part may sag.
Polyethylene products can withstand frost and high temperatures perfectly. But here, too, not everything is so simple - you need to protect the elements from ultraviolet radiation. It has a destructive effect on plastic. Therefore, you should not purchase a kit that has been lying in the sun.
If you want silence
For those car enthusiasts who want to reduce driving noise, these protective materials are perfect. Such products combine excellent anti-corrosion properties and sound insulation functions. For example, those who have used liquid fender liners have simply rave reviews about the degree of sound insulation. So, you can practically not hear the stones from the road, which previously flew off and thuddedly hit the fender liner. Some motorists used various bitumen-based mastics instead of factory products. And if they reliably protect against corrosion, then to reduce noise it is better to use what the industry leaders offer. Modern liquids are sold in cylinders. They are easy to apply, dry quickly and provide an excellent level of protection. With them you can not be afraid of road reagents in winter and country roads in summer. With such fender liners, the car will not be overcome by corrosion, and its owner will be calm and satisfied. So, we found out what reviews and characteristics of automotive liquid fender liners are. Have a nice trip! No nail, no rod!
Preparation for installation
Before installing the fender liners, the car should be raised and the wheels should be removed. Next, thoroughly clean the wheel arches with a brush and dry them with a compressor.
It is better to try on the protective element first. A high-quality product must be very accurately installed in the arch niche. If there are minor discrepancies, they can be easily removed by heating with a hair dryer. If the product is installed correctly and made with high quality, then it will not rub against the tire anywhere and in any position.
Continuous elements are usually secured using self-tapping screws. Fastening is carried out to the edge of the niche, and is also fastened in the niche itself. If the fender liner is split, then it is also fixed in its lower part. If you use self-tapping screws rather than latches for fastening, then for safety and security when installing fender liners on a Lada, it is better to screw in a few additional screws.
Processing rules
When treating wheel arches with anti-corrosion agents, certain rules are followed that allow you to achieve the desired effect:
- Rinse the surface thoroughly. If you miss this moment, all further work will be useless, since the protective compounds will not adhere to the metal.
- Dry and degrease surfaces. If traces of fat or moisture remain, the effect will not be sufficient.
- Clean the metal from rust. Since the compounds used serve to protect and not to remove rust, in order to treat the wheel arches of a car, it is necessary to clean the metal from traces of corrosion.
- The arches must be carefully coated. You should not skimp on protective drugs. Read the instructions for what area of treatment the product is designed for.
If you follow the above rules, the efficiency of processing arches increases significantly.
Installation
Most solid products are mounted in the same way according to the scheme described above. About 7 screws are used. They attach the fender liner to the edges of the car's wing. About 3 self-tapping screws are needed for installation in the depth of the arch. Sometimes, in the case of split fender liners, the lower part is also attached.
If the wheel arches are already susceptible to rust, then it is better to pre-treat them generously with suitable anti-corrosion compounds. This will protect the metal from the development of corrosion. It is also better to treat holes drilled for self-tapping screws, and some experts recommend applying sealant to them. Also, when installing the front fender liners, as well as the rear ones, it is worth using galvanized self-tapping screws - they are more resistant to corrosion processes.
Mastic Мercasol Sound Deadening
It contains rubber and various polymers, which makes it effective protection against gravel and other road debris. In addition, it also acts as a sealant.
Before applying the composition, the surface to be treated should be cleaned of dirt and degreased.
. For application, a spray gun is used, which includes an adjustable nozzle. Mastic is also applied under pressure using special equipment. The thickness of the applied layer is from 0.5 to 0.7 mm.
This mastic has its disadvantages:
- It is applied only to those surfaces that have not previously been treated with other substances.
This can only be done by professionals in specialized centers.
Peculiarities
Sometimes the installation may have some peculiarities due to the material and design of the fender liners. Thus, plastic and fiberglass products have high rigidity. Because of this, they cannot be screwed tightly over the entire area of the part. This can lead to destruction - the fender liner can easily burst from vibrations. Therefore, when installing the rear and front wheel arch liners, these parts are secured using brackets and latches. This installation method is significantly safer for the body - no additional holes need to be drilled. This solution is very often used by foreign automakers when assembling cars at the factory.
The fender liner, installed correctly, should be slightly free. The geometry of the elements themselves is also important. Many products have bosses, which make it possible to perform installation accurately and without distortions. This allows you to simplify the task for those who decide to independently install fender liners on a VAZ. If the part is not properly secured in the arch, some parts of the body may not be protected.
Fastenings
Standard basic or improved casings are attached to the machine body in different ways: with self-tapping screws or clips, pistons or latches. This depends on the material used to make the fender liners and is determined by the manufacturer.
Self-tapping screws
When the lockers are made in the form of a single piece, it is more convenient to fasten them with self-tapping screws. Choose self-tapping screws for installing plastic overlays from galvanized metal. Length – 16 mm, cap shape – flat.
For one arch, 5-7 screws are enough for fixing along the edges, and 2-3 for the recessed part. Many drivers are afraid that the metal will begin to rot in the places where the body parts are screwed in, because the self-tapping screw destroys the anti-corrosion film.
To prevent this from happening, treat the hidden cavities of the wheel arches with Movil, ML, and other means of similar action. Before use, dip each fastener in ointment-like cannon fat or the same “Movil”.
Pistons
There are standard places for the pistons on many foreign cars (Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota). Products made from high-strength ABS plastic can withstand heavy mechanical loads, vibration, and negative environmental influences.
The length of the pistons is 18-20 mm, the fasteners are equipped with a double skirt, ensuring a tight fit of the locker to the arch. Manufacturers produce parts for each brand of car, the price is high - 100 rubles. for 1 piece
Latches
“Latches”, “clothespins”, “S-shaped brackets” are the names of one product that is used for fixing fender liners to wheel arches in a non-traumatic way. The elements securely secure one-piece protective linings made of hard plastic and fiberglass. At the same time, the gap between the body metal and the locker remains minimal, otherwise the fender liners will fall apart due to vibration. However, when the car is moving, the products sway slightly, since the mounting method is not rigid.
To fix the protection, you do not need to drill the body: 2-3 standard holes are enough.
Clips
This fastener is a type of pistons; the parts are interchangeable. Small elements hold moldings, radiator grilles, and interior upholstery. High-quality, durable plastic products are excellent for tuning wheel arches. If the length of the tip of the clip is not enough, car owners additionally screw several screws around the perimeter of the fender liners for reliability.
How to choose plastic trims according to the size and model of your car
First of all, it is necessary to determine for what purpose the expanders are needed. If it is necessary to protect the wheel arches from corrosion in a car with conventional standard wheels, then you are limited to installing universal plastic spare parts. When it is planned to install wide non-standard wheels, the fenders should extend beyond the dimensions of the body, but no more than 50 mm.
When choosing plastic trims, you must carefully ensure that the geometric dimensions of the arches coincide with the parameters of the installed fenders and that there is complete alignment from one end to the other. Otherwise, in places where gaps are left, the metal will begin to corrode.
According to traffic regulations, it is allowed to install black overlays. If the extensions are mounted to match the body, then spare parts for painting are used.
The original elements contain branded labels, with the help of which you can find the characteristics of certain products on the Internet.
Professional service from ZIESTA
By choosing to install fender liners in our technical center, you get:
- competent completion of work strictly within the agreed time frame;
- no damage to body elements during installation;
- assistance in choosing accessories that will ideally match your car model;
- affordable price of services – the price starts from 500 rubles;
- guarantee for all work performed.
To consult with a specialist or learn more about our service, we are waiting for you for a consultation in Moscow.
