Install help for rear bumper protector

[flim]

My 2010 Prius IV came with the Rear Bumper Applique but I went ahead and ordered the Black Bumper Protector.

I prefer the plastic protectors to the applique and have installed a slightly different style Black Bumper Protector on my previous 2006 Prius and my wife's 2007 Prius Touring.

When I was getting ready to install the Black Bumper Protector over the applique, I noticed the applique was not centered/ lined up to the Blue Prius Logo. It wasn't obvious because it was clear.

When I open the hatch I also noticed 3 markers on the bumper and 1 marker was centered to the latch and I confirmed that the Rear Bumper Applique was correctly installed and centered to the marker. So why is the Blue Prius Logo not centered to the marker?

I would like to use the Logo as the center of reference but installing the Black Bumper Protector over the Applique will reveal uneven length on each side of the applique sticking out since it is longer than the Black Bumper Protector.

Originally Posted by DeanFL

So agree with the "Just Do It" folks here.


I ordered the Prius applique as a Port Option. When I first looked at my prepped car at the dealer - the black protector was installed. I wasn't happy. The sales rep and CS rep peeled it off - rip - rip - rip. I was at the front of the car checking that out, went back, and the top bumper finish was just perfect. Since then my applique came in and has been installed. Happy camper.

I installed a black bumper protector on my Lexus RX years ago. Here's what I did.

1. Open hatch. Put a piece of masking tape down to mark the very center of the lower hatch moulding just ahead of where the protector will go.

2. Measure the protector side<>side and put a masking tape piece on the very top center. These two tape center pieces should match up when placing the protector down.

3. Put protector down on the top bumper in the correct spot. Place some masking tape pieces on the bumper around the perimeter of the protector.

4. Clean off the bumper finish well with the prep.

5. Carefully peel off the tape plastic covering strips.

6. With a friend, flip it over each holding one side and the top center - lightly place the protector straight down so the middle tape marks match while bending/holding the sides up a bit. Slowly lower each side aligning to the tape pieces - no down pressure on the protector yet.

7. When satisfied with the positioning, press down on all areas.

8. Stand back and smile.

Just Do it.

[Boo]

Report on my Gen II black rear bumper protector:

-- After one year, the short ends/sides of the protector started to bow a little. My bumper protector had two strips of 3M automotive foam tape -- one running length-wise along the edge closest to the hatch, and another running length-wise along the edge of the lip overhanging the bumper. There was no foam tape along the short ends/sides of the protector.

-- After two years, most of the foam tape was no longer sticking to the bumper. I guess enough water had seeped under the bumper protector for a long enough time to loosen the adhesion.

This weekend, I removed the loose protector, put on new 3M automotive foam tape (bought it from an auto supplies store) -- including on the short ends/sides of the protector -- and reattached the protector.

If it's not too much trouble, I recommend attaching more 3M automotive foam tape to the protector before installing it. I'd attach strips to the short ends/sides of the protector, plus a few one or two inch strips spaced out evenly over the middle 75% of the protector. But this extra tape may not be necessary. And in any event, you can always re-tape the protector IF it were to ever come loose.

[indianagreg]

Originally Posted by Boo

Report on my Gen II black rear bumper protector:

-- After one year, the short ends/sides of the protector started to bow a little. My bumper protector had two strips of 3M automotive foam tape -- one running length-wise along the edge closest to the hatch, and another running length-wise along the edge of the lip overhanging the bumper. There was no foam tape along the short ends/sides of the protector.

-- After two years, most of the foam tape was no longer sticking to the bumper. I guess enough water had seeped under the bumper protector for a long enough time to loosen the adhesion.

This weekend, I removed the loose protector, put on new 3M automotive foam tape (bought it from an auto supplies store) -- including on the short ends/sides of the protector -- and reattached the protector.

If it's not too much trouble, I recommend attaching more 3M automotive foam tape to the protector before installing it. I'd attach strips to the short ends/sides of the protector, plus a few one or two inch strips spaced out evenly over the middle 75% of the protector. But this extra tape may not be necessary. And in any event, you can always re-tape the protector IF it were to ever come loose.

Tom,

Good advice no doubt! I was noticing the same thing about the threat of water seeping in under the protector after I'd installed mine.

If someone were to remove the protector to attach more 3M automotive foam tape, do you have any recommendations for the best way to remove the bumper protector?

Thanks!

Greg

[Boo]

Originally Posted by indianagreg

T
If someone were to remove the protector to attach more 3M automotive foam tape, do you have any recommendations for the best way to remove the bumper protector?

Not really --- because the adhesive bond had already been broken on most of the original foam tape on my bumper protector, it was relatively easy for me to just lift and pull hard to remove the bumper protector.

But I'm thinking that if you use the thin red straw on a can of WD-40 to shoot some WD-40 under the protector along the full length of the original foam tape, that this might help a lot.

In your case, where you recently put on the protector, I think I wouldn't bother to remove it. I'd just wait and see if it gets loose on its own.

BTW #1, if your bumper protector ever comes loose from the bumper like mine did, I would consider not removing the original foam tape from the bumper protector (it'll still be sticking to the bumper protector like crazy). Instead, I would just keep it there (sorta as a foam "line of first defense") even though it can no longer stick to the bumper, and attach new automotive foam tape on other parts of the protector.

BTW #2, I think I read from another PriusChatter's post, that he used silicone caulking where appropriate to supplement adhesion and/or to seal the edges of the bumper protector.

[blueumbrella]

I applied additional 3M tape to the the center and ends when I applied mine. I thought they were really cheap with the original tape.

[rrolff]

Originally Posted by flim

My 2010 Prius IV came with the Rear Bumper Applique but I went ahead and ordered the Black Bumper Protector.

I prefer the plastic protectors to the applique and have installed a slightly different style Black Bumper Protector on my previous 2006 Prius and my wife's 2007 Prius Touring.
.

Did you install the black over the applique? My applique after a month has some scruff marks that won't come out - I can tell it will wear fast (not look nice) - and I'm fairly careful with the car - so the black makes good sense...

Let us know - TIA

[clearbraj]

As a recommendation - there are paint protection patterns for the trunk ledge - the coverage is from end to end and down to the second contour. Much better coverage over the toyota plastic. For the DYIer go to www.xpel.com. $30 bucks .
www.clearshieldprotection.com
Clearbraj

[rrolff]

Originally Posted by clearbraj

As a recommendation - there are paint protection patterns for the trunk ledge - the coverage is from end to end and down to the second contour. Much better coverage over the toyota plastic. For the DYIer go to www.xpel.com. $30 bucks .
www.clearshieldprotection.com
Clearbraj

We need a clear protector for the applique protector

[fintonissimo]

I had trouble with the ends of the protector puckering as well. I just installed it myself a couple of weeks ago. I added automotive tape to the sides, and I prepared the bumper surface ahead of time; but it took me a couple of tries before I was able to get it stuck down straight, and my fingers touched the adhesive. I think this is why it wouldn't stick. I tried applying pressure to the area overnight with bricks, but I still couldn't get it to stick.

When I went to have the body side moldings put on, I asked the tech if there was anything I could do. He said I would have to take it all off and redo it. However, because my job didn't look bad, and it was secure lengthwise, he advised me to leave it alone. He said there would be a slight risk of removing the paint from the bumper if I tried to pull the protector off, and therefore a much more costly problem to fix!

I did my own thinking based on this thread, noticing that somebody mentioned sealing it with silicon. I decided to try that myself, but I decided to go with a polyurethane caulk instead. The polyurethane won't degrade as easily as the silicon. I chose PL roof & flashing sealant, which cures hard but remains flexible. It is designed to be weather proof. It is very messy to work with, and it was a very frustrating experience overall; but I finally got the bead smooth and symmetrical on both sides of the protector. I can't tell you how many times I would lay the bead down, smooth it out, but then have to try all over again because I wasn't satisfied with it! I went through 2 rolls of paper towels! This clearly wasn't a fun job for a perfectionist such as myself. However, I am very pleased with the final result. Another drawback of the caulk is it takes a long time to cure, at least 24 hours, so you have to be careful to protect the area from dust, etc. as it dries. Anyway, here are some pictures of the final result:




My nightmare is over, and I'm am pleased with the result; but I think next time I will opt for somebody else to do the work!

[RadioZero]

that looks great! total PITA but looks great.