... Are they;
1) factory flares, if so are the edges taped to the body?
2) Aftermarket flares with a rubber seal at the body? (like Bushwhackers)
3) After market flares with 2 sided tape where the flare meets the body?
Do they rub into the paint?

I bought some Xenon flares for my Ram which have 2 sided tape where they attach to the painted sides of the truck cuz I thought that was better than the rubber seals. I heard they won't wear away the paint like the Bushwhackers and since I plan on keeping this truck a long time I don't want the paint to be worn through leading to rust problems in a few years.

Any advice?

 

#2 i love em

 

Weren't flares per say, but on my dads 99 he had the stainless wheel opening accents with the rubber seal... After winter we took'em off in spring when we were detailing the truck and my god! The crap that was trapped behind them was scary, lotsa grit and grime from not having a seal. Paint was already scratched up, we had to break out the buffer to get them out. He took'em off and left them off. I told him not to put them on in the first place, i HATED the look of em....

 

i have the bushwackers and i haven't had any problems with them but i did go with the cut outs so that i could fit my 37's

 

I had those stainless things on my old Ford, they'd worn through the paint and I had rust forming around them, but the truck was 16 years old when I got the Ram.
I'd hoped the Xenon's with the 2 sided tape would be better, but I've heard mixed reports on them too.
There's lotsa trucks out there with factory flares though, I think the GM ones are taped on as well?

Hell, even my molded Dodge mudflaps are wearing through the paint...

 

#3, when you take them off you can use an eraser wheel to get the tape off. no harm to the paint

 

That's encouraging, what brand are they and how long have they been on for?
(BTW, I don't see them in the pic in your signature)

 

ive put on many, i cant think of the name because when we get them back from paint there not in a box ....

ive taken off many vent shades that have bee on for years and the eraser wheel is your best friend when i comes to taking of 2sided tape, side molding, badges, dealer badges, pin stripping, you name it. it will take it off.

 

I'm not worried about removing the 2 sided tape, only that whatever flares I put on won't eat through the paint making spots for the rust to start.

 

ahhh gotcha