Durability of OEM blackout overlays and tailgate inserts

I mean I plasti dipped my front badges. If applied correctly and combined with the clear coat you can get for it. It will last and won’t fade or peel.

 

Same

 

How do the badge overlays install?? Do they look "clean"...or can you tell they are overlays?

I'm picking up a new Cement, Access Cab, OR tomorrow. The dealer is installing the tailgate insert, but I also want to do all the badges. Do they all come as a kit? Thanks...and looking forward to all the knowledge on this forum. BTW, I'm about to order the 17" TRD Pro wheels to replace to factory OR wheels. Guess I'll post them for sale on here.

 

It’s probably because on eBay you can buy all black badges for next to nothing and they are everywhere. No need to get overlays nowadays. They look fine, but just get the all black and replace. Just make sure and use tape to mark where to put them on.

 

Some overlays don’t have cut outs for letters like “A”. So it’s just blacked out in the middle without a hole. Some like it that way. It’s personal preference.

 

Decals I put on the back glass are rated 6 years. Best to ask Mr. Owl though.

 

If you’re careful with the install they look great. No indication at all they are an add-on. Without the inlays my QS truck seemed to be missing “something”. It now looks like it should have from the dealer. I also applied the QS inlays to the dash and Plastidipped the side badges too. Like you, I just got the 17” 4Runner TRD Pro wheels. Just waiting on tires!

 

My Tailgate letters have 2 winters on them now, still look good. My Plasti-Dipped door Tacoma's have also been holding out just fine!

 

What's the trick to it? I'd like to do that but am afraid of screwing it up.

 

I bought some tailgate letters off Amazon a few years ago. They are shipped on this paper where the letters are already perfectly spaced out for you. So you can install all the letters at once. You have to put each letter on individually with the OEM ones... not a big deal, I'm just lazy lol.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JJ7HCE6/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The overlays come with tape on the inside. You just peel to expose the adhesive, and then stick them on. Super easy. I cleaned my emblems with rubbing alcohol first. Just got mine last week.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SOUTHE...rentrq:39e1f8501690ad787e692124fffd7dce|iid:1

 

The weather here is normally pretty mild, but the day I received tailgate letters just happened to be one of the coolest days we’d had out here. Of course me being me, impatient as usual, I just couldn’t w@it until it warmed up and threw them on anyway. I was concerned afterward that I might loose one but they’ve held up just fine so far. Of course it’s only been a couple weeks so time will tell but they seem to be on there pretty good.

 

I did mine too. It’s pretty easy. If I can do it anybody can:

 

I just installed mine about 2 weeks ago. I made sure to wash thoroughly and then I clay bar the area to remove the tiny dirt particles before applying the letters. I have an extra set (ABS Plastic) Im going to return back since my girlfriend bought me a metal type which I like better than the ABS.

 

I've had mine over a year through hot humid summers and below freezing winters. I also use the power washer at the car wash. Zero issues so far. I believe I got mine from Amazon.

 

Mine were a dealer installed option and were on the truck when I bought it. The ends of the "T" and upper part of the "C"are not sticking anymore but are attached enough that I know they'll stay attached until spring and I can redo them with 3M two sided trim tape. Don't think the truck or possibly the inlays themselves were clean enough when they installed them. Took about six months for the ends to loosen and they would stay if pushed back on but not like with fresh two sided tape. Just waiting for it to warm up enough. Since it was dealer installed I could take it back and have them fix it but I'd rather do it myself and know it's on right.

 

I just got off the phone with my dealer. I had included a dealer installed tailgate insert ONLY as part of my deal, and he was about to install it on the truck before I pick it up tomorrow...but wasn't sure the insert (had to be ordered) would arrive in time. I have since decided that I want the overlays as well. So I asked if he could just deduct $100 off the deal, and I will order the insert/overlay kit myself and install myself. I really don't want them installing it in a rush. I would rather do it myself, when I can take my time and be sure it's all cleaned, lined up, etc.

 

Thoroughly mask the area around the emblem. Some guys tape just around it but I highly recommend well more than that. Use some paint masking plastic otherwise you will have overspray everywhere. Clean the area with alcohol and let it dry. Now take the can and shake it up good then run it under hot water to warm it up. Do that for every coat, it sprays better. Now first 2 coats should be very light, almost to the point of not total coverage. Let each coat dry for a good 20 min. The following coats should be “wet coats”, spray from all angles and enough so they are visibly wet, like smooth wet paint, but not so much as to run. Do 5/6 more coats that way and after the last five it a few hrs to dry before you peel. Dipyourcar.com has a few videos showing exactly how to do it.

 

As an alternative..Jupiteronearth.co... that’s vinyl, holding up very well. Guy who runs it is a member. He can make a number of 2 tone colors like mine or single if that’s what you want, Got a bunch of other graphics too

 

2.5 years all good.

 

I checked his site but I am interested in indivual letters. Having it in one piece I am sure to screw it up. For the magnetic grey what color to use? I went with the option drop down and was hoping when I choose a color it will show what it looks like on the tail gate. Maybe I overlooked his site and missed the separate letters
update...."......

I found them on a page of his, very reasonable price