A while back I was reading about mud flaps and decided to get some for my truck. I noticed yesterday that they have started to rub against the paint. I tried searching for the thread that I read, but no luck. The thread that I read had some information about how to fix this. Someone said something about using 3M tape between the truck and the mudflap. Can you guys help? I want to know what kind of tape was used. Maybe some pics? I am going on a trip in a couple weeks and would like to have this problem solved. Thanks in advance.

 

Molded mudflaps will wear against the paint. Fender flares will rub against the paint. I would suggest getting universal flat mudflaps to not touch and rub the paint.
Do you plan on taking the mudflaps off? What does it matter if they rub slightly then? It would take quite a while to rub right down to the metal.
It won't look as clean if you've got double sided tape sticking out.

 

the double sided tape is just to keep the mudflap from moving around. 3M automotive double sided tape, available at any auto parts store. black tape with a red backing. just put a few small pieces of it in between and it'll hold the mudflap solid.

I do agree with Dog..if you aren't going to take it off, who cares?

 

my factory mudflaps have some wear marks in the paint from rubbing (2003). i applied some clear silicone where any gaps were present to prevent additional wear. it stiffened them up some. i imagined if you applied doublesided tape (black) properly trimed before installing on the truck it would look good.

 

Thanks for the replies. I don't plan on taking them off, but knowing that they are rubbing the paint off bothers me. I am going to try some of that tape. I picked some up at pep boys today. I am going to try and do some trimming on the tape so you won't be able to see it. Thanks again.

 

I pulled my front ones off yesterday, and in one spot it was worn down to the metal. I took an old motorcycle innertube, and siliconed it on the edge that rubs, then trimmed off the excess with a razor blade. it looks pretty good, you can only see a little of the silicone where i got a little sloppy, but otherwise you cant notice it. I also took some clear nail polish and touched up the worn down spots, and siliconed all of the screw holes.
Next I will do the backs..

 

My flaps came with some 3M tape that I was supposed to use with the install, but I couldn't ever make it look right so I just installed them without it. It looks better and they're probably never coming off anyway. I live down a half mile dirt road that turns into a river with a good rain. Then there's another 3 miles worth of gravel road before I get to the highway. They come in handy.