Topic Sponsor
2015 - 2020 Ford F150 General discussion on the 13th generation Ford F150 truck.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Anyone installed clear vinyl on their sport bumper?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-18-2018, 01:31 PM
  #11  
Blunt
 
BlackBoost's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 4,034
Received 1,074 Likes on 722 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by joemomma
Thanks Boost - good to know. I've seen a couple of online places that sell the pre-cut kits, which I may add (headlight surrounds and hood) later. I'm going to try my hand at the bumper install and see how it goes since I've already made the purchase. I've put down plenty of vinyl in the past (I worked at a sign shop when I was younger), and from the videos I've watched, it looks like the same process. I might try to make a template out of parchment paper and pre-cut some of the openings as well. That way I don't have to cut with the film on the vehicle.
I wouldn't do it myself, but I've watched a guy who does professional installs do it at the dealership. Definitely takes skill and patience. He washed it all 3 times with spray bottles and microfiber cloth and used a degreaser to make sure it was super clean, then dried it out completely before applying. You also have to make sure the edge of the film does NOT line up with the edge of the bumper or trim. There has to be a very small gap there where the film stops before the edge otherwise it can peel up easier. YouTube is great for seeing how it should be done, but just be careful because some videos are just Joe Nobody who's doing it wrong.
Old 05-18-2018, 02:24 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
joemomma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 303
Received 34 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

Right on. I'm going to give it a shot this weekend. Wish me luck and hope I didn't waste $45 lol.
Old 05-18-2018, 02:36 PM
  #13  
Junior Member
 
Major Nickmo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Utah
Posts: 13
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Get a heat gun and felt wrapped edging tool.
I had mine done professionally. Too much of a PITA otherwise.
Old 05-19-2018, 10:11 AM
  #14  
Senior Member
 
Blue_Oval_Boy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
Received 26 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

I had 3M clear added to the bumper after I had it repainted due to all the paint chips and rust. I should have done it when they did the hood after purchase, but I was used to the plastic bumpers of the Ranger and didn't think about it. Lesson learned.
Old 05-19-2018, 11:17 AM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
71Maverick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 146
Received 41 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

I had my entire front end professionally done within days of purchasing her. This included the bumper and headlights. I even had them do my SE grill. Cost was around $800. It was well worth it.

I purchased some 3M film on eBay. I did the rear bumper, lower rear quarter panel, lower rear front quarter panel, forward and rear sections of the fender lips, fog lights and inside door sills. I wish I would have done the black panel between the doors.

One thing I learned is this film is not easy to install. The straight sections were not too bad but larger areas with compound corners were challenging. The bumpers looked easy but I ended up with several bubbles that took a long time to get out. In the end, it turned out great and is almost invisible. I still have a couple bubbles. I would not attempt to do the front end. Also, you can never have the surface too clean.

Micah
Old 05-19-2018, 03:03 PM
  #16  
Village Sociopath


iTrader: (1)
 
johnday in BFE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Nowhereville Barton City Michigan
Posts: 28,528
Received 10,073 Likes on 6,507 Posts

Default

Just curious. Anyone thought of using clear PlastiDip, then spray glossifier over that?
Old 05-19-2018, 05:26 PM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
joemomma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 303
Received 34 Likes on 32 Posts
Default

Most frustrating thing ever. I ended up tossing it in the trash after an hour or so. The straight sections weren’t bad but the curves were impossible.
Old 05-19-2018, 06:04 PM
  #18  
Village Sociopath


iTrader: (1)
 
johnday in BFE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Nowhereville Barton City Michigan
Posts: 28,528
Received 10,073 Likes on 6,507 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by joemomma
Most frustrating thing ever. I ended up tossing it in the trash after an hour or so. The straight sections weren’t bad but the curves were impossible.
Exactly why I have no intention of trying it, like wallpaper to me.
Old 05-20-2018, 01:25 AM
  #19  
Junior Member
 
330tag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID
Posts: 23
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

I just had XPEL done on the entire front end (fenders, hood, bumper, lights, etc) of mine. A little extra protection



Quick Reply: Anyone installed clear vinyl on their sport bumper?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:53 PM.