Wheel arch cladding is the plastic trim around the edge of each wheel arch that takes stone chips and scrapes instead of the paint. The best piece is one moulded for your model that clips into the factory holes, so nothing has to be drilled.
This hub explains the names you will hear at the parts shop, how to choose and fit a kit, how to repair both plastic and metal arch damage, and what to watch with bigger tyres. Model pages cover popular crossovers and SUVs.
At a glance
- What it isPlastic trim around the outer edge of the wheel arch
- Also calledWheel arch garnish, arch kit, fender flare
- Usual materialTextured polypropylene or ABS plastic
- Best fixingClips and screws into factory holes
- Faded claddingClean and apply a plastic trim restorer
- Rusty arch lipRepair the metal before fitting cladding
Wheel arch cladding pages by model
Cladding is moulded to one body, so start with your model if it is listed.
| Page | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Fronx wheel arch cladding | Arch garnish on this crossover, clip points and how to replace a scuffed piece |
| Brezza wheel arch kit | Arch kit for this compact SUV, including the Brezza wheel arch cladding single piece vs split pieces question |
| Thar wheel arch cladding | Wide arch cladding on this off roader and clearance with bigger tyres |
For a model not listed, such as a utility SUV with plain arches, the buying and fitting advice below applies all the same.
What a wheel arch is and why cladding helps
The wheel arch is the curved opening in the body around each tyre. Inside it sits a plastic arch liner that keeps mud out of the engine bay and the body cavities. Outside, on many SUVs and crossovers, a strip of black or grey plastic runs around the edge of the arch. That outer strip is the wheel arch cladding, also sold as a wheel arch garnish or flare.
- It takes the stone chips and scrapes that would otherwise hit painted metal.
- It hides small dents and scratches from parking in tight lanes.
- It gives the car a taller, more rugged look, which is why makers fit it to crossovers.
Cladding does not stop rust inside the arch. That job belongs to the inner liner and the underbody coating.
Wheel arch garnish, kit or flare: the names
| Name you hear | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Wheel arch cladding | Plastic trim fixed around the outer edge of the arch |
| Wheel arch garnish | Same part; often used for thinner, decorative strips |
| Wheel arch kit | A set of four claddings, sometimes with side skirt and bumper pieces |
| Fender flare | Wider cladding that sticks out, often on off roaders |
| Arch liner | The inner plastic shell inside the arch, not visible from outside |
When you ask at a parts shop, say which wheel the piece is for, which side of the car, and whether you need the outer cladding or the inner liner.
Choosing a wheel arch kit
Factory cladding is made from tough plastic, usually polypropylene or ABS, in a textured matt black finish that hides scratches. Accessory kits come in that finish, gloss black, body colour, or carbon look. Points to check:
- Fit: the kit must be shaped for your car and its exact body. Crossovers rarely share arches with the hatchback they grew from.
- Fixing: genuine pieces use clips and screws into existing holes. Many aftermarket kits use double sided tape only, which can lift in summer heat.
- Single piece or split: some cars use one long piece per arch, others split it at the bumper joint. Order what your car has.
- Tyre clearance: wide flares may touch a bigger tyre when the wheel is turned hard or the suspension compresses.
Kits cost more when the plastic is thicker and UV stabilised, when the finish is painted or gloss, and when spare clips are supplied with the kit.
How to fit or replace wheel arch cladding
- Wash the arch edge, then wipe it with isopropyl alcohol to remove wax and road film.
- Steer fully to one side, or remove the wheel, to reach the screws inside the arch.
- Remove the old cladding: undo the screws inside the arch, then release the clips by pulling gently from one end with a trim tool.
- Fit new clips into the body holes. Old clips often break on removal; keep spares.
- Offer up the new piece, press it onto the clips from one end, and fit the screws.
- If the kit uses tape, apply it at room temperature, press firmly along the full length, and avoid washing the car for a day.
- Check tyre clearance at both steering locks.
Do not drill new holes in painted metal unless you prime the edge, since the arch lip is one of the first places rust starts.
How to repair a car's wheel arch
Owners ask about two kinds of arch damage, and the fix is different for each.
Plastic cladding damage. Scratches on textured black plastic can be dulled with a trim restorer. A crack can be plastic welded by a body shop or glued from behind with a two part plastic adhesive. A piece that is split through or missing clip tabs is usually best replaced, since it will rattle and come loose on rough roads.
Metal arch damage. Rust bubbles along the arch lip, a dent from a kerb or a crease from a scrape need a body shop. Small rust spots can be sanded, treated and painted. Rust that has eaten through needs the metal cut out and a repair panel welded in. Fitting cladding over rusty metal hides the problem while it spreads, so fix the metal first.
Cladding problems and fixes
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Cladding faded grey | Sun exposure on unpainted plastic | Clean, then apply a plastic trim restorer |
| Edge lifting | Tape failing in heat, or a broken clip | Refit with new clips, or clean and re-tape |
| Rattle over bumps | Missing screw inside the arch | Replace the screw and check the clips |
| Rust at the cladding edge | Water and mud trapped behind it | Remove, treat the rust, refit with clips not tape |
| Tyre rubs on full lock | Flare or tyre too wide | Trim the inner edge or go back to the factory tyre size |
Bigger tyres and wheel arch clearance
Owners who fit larger tyres often look to cladding to fill the arch visually. Keep in mind that the factory tyre size was chosen to clear the arch, the liner and the suspension at full steering lock and full bump. A wider or taller tyre can rub the liner or the cladding edge on a speed breaker with a full load. Use our tyre size calculator to see how much a size grows, and check the car tyre size guide before you change.
Care through the seasons
Textured plastic attracts mud. After the monsoon, hose out the gap between the cladding and the body, where wet mud can sit for weeks. Avoid strong solvent cleaners and high pressure jets aimed at the edge of the cladding, which can lift tape and push water behind the trim. A UV protectant once a few months slows fading in the summer sun.
Mud flaps work alongside cladding by catching spray behind the tyre. See our mud flap guide. Everything else on tyres and parts sits under the site front page.
Questions owners ask
What is wheel arch cladding?
It is the plastic trim fixed around the outer edge of the wheel arch. It protects the paint from stone chips and scrapes and gives the car a rugged look.
Is a wheel arch garnish the same as cladding?
Mostly yes. Garnish is often used for thinner decorative strips, while cladding usually means the thicker protective trim. Both fix around the arch edge.
Can I fit a wheel arch kit without drilling?
Usually. Genuine kits use the factory clip holes, and many aftermarket kits use double sided tape. Avoid drilling the arch lip; if you must, prime the hole edge.
How do I restore faded black cladding?
Clean it with soap and water, dry it, then apply a plastic trim restorer. Reapply every few months in strong sun. Badly chalky plastic may need replacement.
Does cladding stop rust?
No. It protects paint from chips but can trap mud behind it. Keep the gap clean and fix any rust before fitting new cladding.
Will arch cladding rub my tyres?
Not with the factory tyre size. Wider flares or bigger tyres can touch when you steer hard over a bump with a full load. Check clearance after fitting.