Upper Tailgate PPF

I was driving with my tailgate down and got a couple rock chips and a small dinger on the upper part of my tailgate. It does not seem anyone makes a tailgate cap that extends over the lip of the 2016 + model Tacoma. Anyone here ever install PPF on just the upper part of the tailgate for protection? If so how does it look?

 

There is a spoiler lip for the 3rd Gen. It has been posted around here in the past.

I did install some clear film at the top of mine because of the Softopper and not wanting to use their velcro. The flap just hangs down. It is hardly noticeable to me. Much less so than when used on hoods or fenders.

Also, if you don't need your TG completely down, there is this mod:

 

4” strip of Xpel from the top. Stops at my finger.

 

Most tint shops have clear vinyl... Just get a strip added in that area... boom...

 

This was one of the first things I did to my truck in 2018. Closing the tailgate when its dirty will result in lots of scratches without the protection film.

 

I had XPEL on the upper part of the tail gate, for chips and scratches, but also so that I can safely use it as a point to lift/close the tailgate without scratching the paint.

$43 XPEL R4003-P Clear Paint Protection Film Roll 6" x 84"

https://www.amazon.com/XPEL-R4003-P-Clear-Paint-Protection/dp/B0748QPJTP

Don't have it now, cause the ceramic coating shop took it off. Have been waiting for my replacement for months now... Lost in USPS hell. Hope the 4th replacement doesn't get lost also...

 

Did you install it yourself? Pretty easy?

 

Try this stuff next time

$16 VViViD 3M Clear Paint Protection Vinyl Film 4" Wide Choose Your Size Including Tools (4" x 60")

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LY0GFK3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I originally did the 6 inch, but it goes down into the tailgate handle about a inch, so I had to cut around the handle and it looked pretty bad. So I switched to the 4 inch and it fits perfect.

 

Oh that looks good, my try it out next time or if the XPEL never arrives...
Ye, the initial install wasn't hard, but did have to be creative in working with all that film. I ended up tucking it in under the tailgate cap.

 

Not hard. For my initial install, I lined the bottom of the film up with the top of the tail lights. First time I eyeball'd it, with a lot of soupy wooder.

Next time, I will line it up with a stretched out masking tape, so I wouldn't have to take so much time readjusting.

 

I see the XPEL is just soapy water and a squeegee, and I had done something similar before with decals on my Z28 and some BMX bikes. Is the 3M stuff the same or is the installation different?

 

I used soapy water to install my 3m stuff, it holds the water behind the film pretty well, so you will have to squeegee a lot to get it all out. On mine it took a few days to get all the soapy water out and get it to bond. But in the end it was bubble free and perfect. The only thing I would do different, is not put the film all the way to the edges of the tailgate. I would stop about 1/8th inch from the edges otherwise it doesnt bond well on the edges

 

I haven't worked with 3M's clear films, but it should be the same process as XPEL. The thickness may be different though, the XPEL I got was pretty thick, but was easy to work with.

 

great information guys! thanks!

 

I did the same.


After years of applying film to 3D printers, I did it dry. The thinner stuff stretches around the contours easier.

 

I have PPF on my tailgate because I put my bike over the tailgate. It is worth it!

 

Dude, no kidding... forks are bad juju at this location

 

Yup! I have Dakine cover on too for extra protection.