How to Paint a New Car Fender on a 2004 Highlander

The 2004 Toyota Highlander is a crossover SUV that accommodates families by providing a third row of seats. Modeled on the Camry platform and influenced by the design of the Lexus RX 300, the Highlander offers economy, greater V-6 power and a superior style of driving. The front fender design maximizes collapsible ability during impact for greater safety, and replacement components must be meticulously checked, prepared and painted to meet specifications.

Instructions

1

Remove the 2004 Highlander fender from the packaging and place it upside down on a trestle. Check the manufacturer labels and hologram to ensure you have been sent an original Toyota part, as patterned fenders may not fit correctly after painting. Remove the old fender from the vehicle and fit the new one before work begins to ensure the gap between the hood and the door is even.

2

Place the fender back on the trestle and remove the manufacturer label -- but leave the hologram in place so authenticity can be proved if problems arise. Mask off the hologram with tape before preparation begins. Place a P400-grit sanding disc onto a random orbital sander and carefully remove any scratches in the factory primer.

3

Rub down the remainder of the fender with a sanding cloth, making sure the rear and side apertures are etched. These apertures are visible when the door and hood are open on the 2004 Highlander model, so they must be painted as well. Make sure the underside of the wheel arch is rubbed down to promote maximum adhesion.

4

Place the fender on a panel stand and wipe it clean with a cloth and solvent-based cleaner. Run a tack cloth over the surface of the fender to remove any remaining traces of dust and lint. Activate 0.25 liters of wet-on-wet primer and apply one full coat, making sure the apertures and wheel arches are sufficiently covered.

5

Locate the color code on the 2004 Highlander by checking the color plate in the engine bay. Use 0.4 liters of activated base color and apply one light coat followed by two full coats to obtain optimum paint coverage. Carry out a visual check to ensure there are no signs of opacity and re-coat if necessary. Allow a five-minute curing time between coats.

6

Activate 0.4 liters of clear coat and apply one light coat followed by one full coat of material to seal in the base color and to create a gloss finish. Let it thoroughly dry before removing the masking tape on the hologram so the Toyota logo can be seen. Fit the fender back onto the vehicle.