2018 Tacoma TRD Flare Adhesive

I've been in the process the last few days of removing the clear protective film that was installed on the hood, mirrors, door handles, door edges. But now has come the time to remove the pieces from in front of the lower fender flare and rear. I will need to remove the rear fender flares along with the small dark plastic guard in front of the flares and the rear.

I'm going to need to get replacement adhesive to reinstall the flares, small plastic guard on the lower front and the plastic guard on the lower back.

 

but why?

 

The fender flare adhesive is an absolute nightmare if you’re using oem. There’s an lip on the edge on the flare where it would make sense that the adhesive would press against but that isn’t correct. You have a margin of +-.5 mm to apply it on the edge of the flare and the little lip otherwise it’ll create a type of “hot spot” where the adhesive has a squished marshmallow effect or if simply falls off the edge of the flare and create a gap for water to come through.

I’m 100% convinced the adhesive is applied by a machine at the factory because there’s no way somebody is doing these by hands on an assembly line and getting it perfect every time. I did this with the fronts which is 3 different pieces of adhesive but I believe the rears are just one piece.

 

Just curious, any reason you’re removing these for? Are they scratched up or peeled off?

 

I added flares to my SR and it was easy as pie using 3m adhesive tape. Came out flawless and has held up to multiple washes, hot/cold weather and has stayed on just as tight as the day it was applied, and looks like it came from the factory. All you have to do is take your time. Here’s a link to the 3M tape I used. Many members have done it. It’s honestly so easy you’ll ask yourself why you even worried about it to begin with.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fender-flare-installation-on-non-flared-tacomas-tutorial.494336/

 

The reason I'm taking it off is it has degraded and has a ton of dark spots on the edges and throughout that will not come out. I would like to do it myself instead of having to take it to the dealer.

Which adhesive would you recommend

$9 3M 38583 3M Exterior Attachment Tape, Ideal for Moldings, Emblems and Trim, 1/4 in width x 5 yards in length, 1 roll

3M 38583 or OEM? Does anyone know the part number for the OEM adhesive?

 

Well, I got the rear flares off and the front and rear molding pieces. I was able to get all the adhesive off the bed with Go Gone. My question is there anything any better to get the adhesive off the plastic flares and moldings with out damaging the plastic?

 

No, you just have to keep at it. It takes a while and you can’t get it all off 100%. Doesn’t even matter because the stickiness of the new tape is so strong that leaving some residue from the old tape on the flares means nothing.

 

I thought I'd give an update with the fender flares and molding pieces. I carried it to Toyota of New Bern Collision Center to have them remove the remaining adhesive and to put new adhesive on the flares and molding pieces. I have to say they did a piss poor job as they didn't get all the adhesive off and the factory adhesive they used was damaged by being folded.

I ended up taking them off and redoing it myself. After removing all the adhesive I used the 3M Automotive adhesive and it turned out like factory new. see for yourself.

 

Nice job! I always try to do things myself. Most Toyota techs could give a rats ass and aren’t going to care about your truck like you do. Boycott all dealers.