STEP 5: ATTACHING STANDARD SEAL TO THE HORIZONTAL TAILGATE GAP
Most often bulb side is up for Ridgeline (FIG 5).
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.
Apply a 5/8” wide line of adhesion promoter to the area where adhesive will be adhered to. Start at either end, peel back a section of liner and flush end of seal to seal on the inner sidewall (FIG 5). Attach in sections and apply light pressure. Continue to apply seal from roll and stop 3” before reaching opposite inner sidewall. Determine where seal will end and cut. Apply 3” section and flush to bulb on the inner sidewall. After seal is in place apply very firm pressure (25 lbs.) to secure adhesive bond. |