3M Clear Bra install on Tailgate

I am pretty brutal on my tailgate. I open and close it several times a day so I decided to try my hand at some 3M clear protection tape. Well... I'm a better picture taker than installer. It wasn't bad but there are a few patches of tiny bubbles. Took about an hour and still waiting for the sides to cure and adhere. I taped them down (you can see the blue painters tape). Overall I hope that this helps me from scratching up the upper part of the tailgate. I didn't wrap the 3M around the sides, but hope it stays attached at the corners. I overlapped it an inch under the tailgate cap. We shall see. Total cost about $20

 

For $20.. That's a great looking job. Well done I'd say!

 

Great idea.

 

If you don't like the way it came out, and you choose to do it over, you can buy different sized sheets of SunTek Paint Protection Film from www.lamin-x.com

I personally installed SunTek PPF on my truck (part of hood, fenders, piece under headlight, A pillar, door cups, painted grill surround) wife's vehicle (part of hood and door cups), it's pretty forgiving.

I considered doing exactly what you did as my truck is also black, but instead have been closing it by only touching the plastic handle. I may still do it though.

Great job!

 

Nice job!

 

I did the same thing because my Snugtop rear door vibrates against the tailgate as I drive, and any grit trapped there basically sandpapers it. It's not a Snugtop issue, it's just the way it is when you have part A sitting on part B as you drive down the street, and part of it is rubber so will vibrate. A sheet of protective film, (I used Scotch Guard 6"x60" paint protection film) should last a while and hopefully should come off without too much drama when I need to replace it. It actually needs to be a bit longer than 60" so next time will have to go up in size.

 

Update: I am very glad I did this. You can feel the plastic strip when pushing up and I know that I'm not scratching the paint. For a simple and cheap job, it will save me a lot of worry about not scratching up the paint. It's clear as glass and you can still see the sparkle of the paint under it.

 

Just curious, where's the plastic cover that goes on top?

 

I need to do this

 

I think I will do this as well. Great idea. I try to use the handle to close my tailgate but its just kind of awkward. I went out and measured and 6" wide is plenty to go to the top of the tailgate handle and up under the plastic cap. That would follow the body lines well and make it harder to notice it even on there. 12" wide would get you down past the handle and youd have to cut a hole for it, also would be nice but I think I'll go with the 6". I may try a 72" long piece to wrap around the ends and see if that works out. Thank you for this idea

 

I took the cap off to wrap the film up underneath. It comes off with 4 push/pull inserts and some tabs. I highly recommend taking the top cap off and putting the wrap underneath it. Put plastic cover back on when I was finished = no seams

 

I ordered 6"x72" and just cut off the extra. I wish I had tried to wrap around the edges but it's holding up fine so far