Rear Bumper Applique

pink70 · 08-30-2007, 09:03 PM

Hi! I'm a newbie to this board. I bought my 2005 Prius (with a lot of help from my cousin in FL!) one month ago. I absolutely love this car, and consider myself quite lucky since pre-owned Priuses seem to be a rare breed of car here in central OH.

Anyway I've been "lurking" here since I got my Prius and have learned a lot from the posts I've read. I have bought the rear bumper applique and was planning on installing it this weekend. The instructions are a little more involved than I anticipated, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on installation from previous experience.

Thanks!

Bear68 · 08-30-2007, 09:53 PM

Piece of cake!

Clean the area well with alcohol.... Not the type that come in a can.... :P Rubbing alcohol works very well... Then simply center up the applique and carefully peel back a very small section of the backing paper and press it down gently. If you need to lift and reposition it you will be able to do so. Then carefully peel the backing off and spread it down gently working from the center out. watch for airbubbles as you go and take you time. A clean dry surface is important!! Also, if you lay the applique out in the sun for a while, it will be a little more pliable and easier to install.

dogfriend · 08-31-2007, 12:43 AM

I installed one on my car. We discussed the installation in this thread:

http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=1...hl=Marine+Clean

pink70 · 08-31-2007, 08:34 AM

Thank you both! I figured there was a thread on this somewhere but it did not pop up on any of my searches.....

I couldn't find the 3M cleaner either. And the instructions I have say to spray with a very dilute dish detergent solution and squeegee out.

I'll give it a whirl! Fingers are crossed that I don't screw it up!

dogfriend · 08-31-2007, 10:19 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(iggypup1 @ Aug 31 2007, 05:34 AM) [snapback]504820[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

. And the instructions I have say to spray with a very dilute dish detergent solution and squeegee out.
!
[/b]

Yes, just a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent in a regular size spray bottle (32 oz.) It is very similar to installing tint film in a window, if you have ever done that. Spray the area throughly so that you can "float" the decal over the surface and position it where you want, then start to squeegee the water out starting at the center and working out to the sides.

seasalsa · 08-31-2007, 10:49 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(iggypup1 @ Aug 31 2007, 05:34 AM) [snapback]504820[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Thank you both! I figured there was a thread on this somewhere but it did not pop up on any of my searches.....

I couldn't find the 3M cleaner either. And the instructions I have say to spray with a very dilute dish detergent solution and squeegee out.

I'll give it a whirl! Fingers are crossed that I don't screw it up!
[/b]

If you want more than a decal and something that will give you some real protection try:
http://www.brandsport.com/toy-pt278-02050.html

pink70 · 09-02-2007, 08:35 PM

[attachmentid=11069]
Done today! I'll rate it as a success - I have one teeny bubble that I can't seem to work to the edge, but everything else looks good! Thank you all for your help! Here it is:

dogfriend · 09-02-2007, 08:57 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(iggypup1 @ Sep 2 2007, 05:35 PM) [snapback]506082[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

[attachmentid=11069]
Done today! I'll rate it as a success - I have one teeny bubble that I can't seem to work to the edge, but everything else looks good! Thank you all for your help! Here it is:
[/b]

The teeny bubble may disappear on its own after whatever soapy water is trapped in there eventually evaporates away. Resist the temptation to pop the bubble with a sharp point - this will let dirt in - I tried it on the first decal. On the second decal (that the body shop installed after my bumper was repainted) I left the bubbles alone and now they are not noticeable.

prius2go · 09-04-2007, 05:20 PM

that looks good - where from?
I was going for one of those black mat things

dogfriend · 09-04-2007, 06:42 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prius2go @ Sep 4 2007, 02:20 PM) [snapback]506928[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

that looks good - where from?
I was going for one of those black mat things
[/b]

The decal is available as an accessory from US Toyota dealers. I don't know if it is also available in the UK, but I would inquire at the Toyota dealer.

08-30-2007, 09:53 PM	#2
Bear68 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, FLA Posts: 245 My Car: Package: Nominated 3 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	Piece of cake! Clean the area well with alcohol.... Not the type that come in a can.... :P Rubbing alcohol works very well... Then simply center up the applique and carefully peel back a very small section of the backing paper and press it down gently. If you need to lift and reposition it you will be able to do so. Then carefully peel the backing off and spread it down gently working from the center out. watch for airbubbles as you go and take you time. A clean dry surface is important!! Also, if you lay the applique out in the sun for a while, it will be a little more pliable and easier to install. __________________ Toyota Ceritified Master Diagnostic Tech, Prius Certified "The only foolish question is the one left unasked."

09-02-2007, 08:35 PM	#7
pink70 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	[attachmentid=11069] Done today! I'll rate it as a success - I have one teeny bubble that I can't seem to work to the edge, but everything else looks good! Thank you all for your help! Here it is: Attached Thumbnails

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Rear Bumper Applique	slowpoke	Prius Modifications	12	06-04-2008 08:51 AM
Has anyone gotten the rear bumper applique	Bill Compton	Prius Modifications	65	02-18-2006 07:18 PM
New Rear bumper Applique/Protector	johnnieliu	Prius Main Forum	4	01-22-2006 09:01 PM
Rear Bumper Applique	Claudia	Prius Main Forum	4	05-08-2005 07:35 PM
Rear bumper applique after-market?	cyclone	Prius Main Forum	7	01-16-2004 10:14 AM

08-30-2007, 09:03 PM	#1
pink70 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi! I'm a newbie to this board. I bought my 2005 Prius (with a lot of help from my cousin in FL!) one month ago. I absolutely love this car, and consider myself quite lucky since pre-owned Priuses seem to be a rare breed of car here in central OH. Anyway I've been "lurking" here since I got my Prius and have learned a lot from the posts I've read. I have bought the rear bumper applique and was planning on installing it this weekend. The instructions are a little more involved than I anticipated, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on installation from previous experience. Thanks!

08-31-2007, 12:43 AM	#3
dogfriend Human - Animal Hybrid Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 2,695 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 7	I installed one on my car. We discussed the installation in this thread: http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=1...hl=Marine+Clean

08-31-2007, 08:34 AM	#4
pink70 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 5 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thank you both! I figured there was a thread on this somewhere but it did not pop up on any of my searches..... I couldn't find the 3M cleaner either. And the instructions I have say to spray with a very dilute dish detergent solution and squeegee out. I'll give it a whirl! Fingers are crossed that I don't screw it up!

09-04-2007, 05:20 PM	#9
prius2go Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 254 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	that looks good - where from? I was going for one of those black mat things