How to install Extruded Solutions' Tailgate Seal with Taper Seal®
ITEMS REQUIRED: Scissors, clean rag and soap solution.
Extreme temperatures will result in poor adhesive performance. Apply only if air and surface temperature is between 55° - 105°F (13° - 40°C).
Avoid touching adhesive after peeling off red liner. Repositioning of seal should not be done more than 3 times and only 1 time if the temperature is above 80°F (13°C).
Click on photo for an enlarged view
Ford Maverick
Clean area thoroughly with soap and water solution and wipe completely dry. Use alcohol pads to prep the tape application area and let dry. Wait until after Tailgate Seal is installed before applying very firm pressure to secure adhesive bond (STEP 4). If necessary, Tailgate Seal can be removed and repositioned prior to applying very firm pressure. Pictures shown are for the left sidewall and tailgate gap.
STEP 1: ATTACHING TO SIDEWALL
Start 1” (2.5cm) below truck bed floor and attach seal to the rear corner edge of the left sidewall extension (FIG 1A). Start from bottom and stop when flush the rubber stop (FIG 1B). Apply light pressure to adhesive. Duplicate for right sidewall.
STEP 2: ATTACHING TO SIDE OF TAILGATE
Lower tailgate. Cut a piece to 26” (66cm) from roll of seal. Remove adhesive liner completely and flush one end to tailgate hinge (FIG 2A & 2B). Apply light pressure to adhesive and continue upwards towards top of tailgate. Conform seal to curves and flush to the inside top of tailgate (FIG 2C) and cut to fit. Check alignment of seal by closing tailgate and simultaneously viewing seal compression from the rear of tailgate. If you see light or the bulb part of the seal is rolling too much (making it difficult to close tailgate) then reposition bulb in sections, or entirely, by loosening adhesive and then repositioning. Duplicate for right side.
STEP 3: ATTACHING 2” (5cm) PIECE TO TOP OF TAILGATE
Cut a 2" (5cm) piece and attach to the top of tailgate, bulb side facing outwards (FIG 3A and 3B). Position so that the top of seal will flush with the bottom of rubber stop when closing tailgate (FIG 3C and 3D). Apply light pressure. Duplicate for right side.
STEP 4: ATTACHING 5” (12.7CM) PIECE TO TOP OF SIDEWALL
Cut a 5” (12.7cm) piece and attach to the top of sidewall (FIG 4A). Position so that the bottom of seal is flush with the top of rubber stop. Apply light pressure. Duplicate for right side.
STEP 5: Attaching 2.25"(5.7cm) piece of Large Tailgate Seal to side of tailgate.
Cut a 2.25" piece of Large and attach to the side of tailgate (FIG 5A & 5B). Position bulb side up. Apply light pressure.
Duplicate for right side.
STEP 6
Close tailgate. If you see light through the sidewalls then make adjustments by removing the seal(s) and repositioning. If there is still light then cut pieces of seal, as needed and attach to sidewalls and/or tailgate. Open tailgate and apply very firm pressure (25lbs.) to secure the entire adhesive bond.
STEP 7: ATTACHING TO TAILGATE GAP
Most often bulb side is down for Ford Maverick (FIG 1A Alternate View).
To evaluate the best positioning for the tailgate gap, cut a 1” (2.5cm) test piece and align the top of bulb with the truck bed floor. Stand to the side of truck and raise tailgate until bulb makes contact with tailgate.
NOTE: Compression and/or slight rolling of the bulb is okay, however, if the bulb rolls downwards too much as the tailgate is closing and you can see the tape, then seal has rolled too much. This can cause added stress on the adhesive and possible separation.
If you see that the bulb is rolling too much then invert 1” test piece so that bulb side is down. Raise tailgate and make sure no light is visible through the 1” piece. Adjust 1” piece higher or lower to seal out the light. After determining if the bulb should be up or down and how high or low, remove 1” piece and pick up one end of the continuous seal.
Start at either end, peel back a section of liner and flush end of seal to seal on the sidewall (FIG 1A Alternate View). Attach in sections and apply light pressure to adhesive. Flush to seal on the other sidewall and cut to fit. Apply very firm pressure (25lbs.) to secure adhesive bond.
STEP 8
After Tailgate Seal is in place, apply very firm pressure (25lbs.) to secure the entire adhesive bond. Leave tailgate open for 30 minutes. If the air temperature will fall below 50°F (10°C) within the next 24 hours or, if any part of the adhesive is applied to a surface other than paint, such as plastic or a spray on bed liner, then leave tailgate open for 24 hours.
