Items Included• Left, Right, and Center BumperShellz™
• Two strips of Black-Out tape |
Tools Required• Flat head screwdriver
• Pliers • Plastic pry/trim tool • 10mm socket/wrench |
Before You Get Started...
Preparation
- If your bumper has any significant pre-existing dents, you may want to remove the bumper and try to pound some of these out. Small dings and rust can usually be directly covered by BumperShellz™ if trim lines between plastic trim/step pad and exposed steel bumper are in their original shape. A distorted bumper will negatively affect the fit of your BumperShellz™.
- Your BumperShellz™ are assembled to your bumper by tucking the perimeter flange under the existing plastic trim pieces. It is usually sufficient to lift the edge of the trim in these areas with a non-scratching pry tool and progressively sliding the flange underneath the trim and, unless otherwise specified, should not require removal of the trim.
- Your BumperShellz™ are secured in place with 3M™ Automotive Acrylic Foam Attachment Tape. Optimal temperature for installation is between 20°C (68°F) to 38°C (100°F) and never below 15°C (60°F). If ambient temperature is below 15°C, a hair dryer or heat gun may be used at your discretion to warm the bumper surface. BumperShellz™ should be acclimated at “room temperature” prior to installation.
- Make sure your bumper is clean, dry, and free of debris. Use a cleaner that will remove oil/grease to clean bumper surface, followed by wiping the bonding surface areas of your bumper thoroughly with regular isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a clean lint-free white cotton rag or clean disposable toweling. Do not use shop rags which may have dirt or oily residues. For superior results use 3M brand Prep Solvent 70 or similar products available at many auto stores.
The degree to which you follow these preparation instructions will determine the quality of the installed product. Please follow all instructions and be patient. If you are unsure of any area of the installation after reading these instructions, please call us at 844-918-3688, and we will answer any questions that you have.
Installation
NOTE: We recommend Dry-Fitting all BumperShellz pieces to their specific locations BEFORE removing ANY of the red backing strips from the tape. Make sure all pieces are correct, i.e., you have received all pieces shown above, with or without sensor holes and/or fog lamp openings, color/pattern is correct, and that all are undamaged. There should not be any (or extremely minimal) bumper surface visible once flanges are slid under trim and sensor holes (if present) are centered over sensor trim. Dry Fitting is also good practice for lining up each piece and guiding it into place, visualizing how to do it when the backing strips are removed and the tape is STICKY. Note that once the backing is removed we cannot give full credit for return.
1. Remove the 6 outermost screws on both ends of the lower valence panel underneath the front bumper.
2. Two strips of Black-Out tape have also been provided for you to use at your discretion. We recommend attaching the black-out tape on the inside edge of the bumper against the center fascia. This will ensure that no chrome is visible after installation even with variations in bumper dimensions, and installation methods. Making slits in the tape will allow it to bend around the inside edge of the fascia
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3. (RECOMMENDED) Perform a dry fit of each of the covers. (Follow the below instructions without removing the red backing to the 3M tape. After completion and fitment check, remove the covers and return to step four for the final installation, and follow the instructions including directions to remove the backing to the adhesive tape.)
4. Begin with either of the side covers. Ensure that bumper surface is clean, dry, and ambient temperature is at, or exceeds the recommended temperature in (Preparation). Then remove the red backing to the 3M adhesive tape.
5. Slide the inboard edge underneath the plastic body panel above the bumper. Be careful not to let the 3M tape touch down before the cover is correctly positioned. Continue tucking the top flange of the cover under the body panel around the side of the bumper until it lips over the edge facing the wheel well.
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6. Lower the bottom edge of the BumperShell towards the bumper making sure that your sensor holes (if present) will be lined up with your parking sensor, the inner edge of the BumperShell will be butting up against the inboard bumper fascia where you installed the Black-Out tape, and no chrome is visible around the fog lamp pocket. The under-side tabs of the BumperShellz should be between the bumper, and the lower valance panel. (Note: take your time with this step. Be very careful to not let the tape touch down until everything is positioned exactly where you want it.)
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7. After ensuring the cover is correctly positioned, you can begin putting firm pressure on the taped areas of the cover. Repeat on opposite side.
8. Continue on to the center of the cover. Remove the backing to the tape and begin by tucking the edge of the cover under the front body panel above the bumper.
9. Line up the outside edges of the center bumper cover with the inside edge line of the side covers. The center cover should be overlapping both side covers. If you have parking sensors, ensure they are lined up with the holes of the covers before letting the tape touch down.
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10. After everything is lined up correctly, push down firmly on the taped areas making sure that either none, or the most minimal amount of the original bumper is showing around the center bumper fascia.
11. Replace all screws for the lower valance and put firm pressure on all taped areas of the bumper covers.
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NOTE for Maximum Adhesion: The acrylic foam tape used to adhere your BumperShellz is “pressure sensitive”, so making sure there is sufficient pressure applied to each of the taped areas is vital to achieve optimum adhesion of your BumperShellz™ to your bumper. It is also recommended that you come back a few hours later, or the next day, to give each BumperShellz piece another pressure rub to ensure the best adhesion. Allow the tape adhesive to set up for at least 24 hours before washing your truck. Maximum adhesion is reached after 3-5 days in temperatures above 70 degrees, longer if it is cooler. Once the adhesive has fully bonded to a properly prepared bumper surface, it is nearly impossible to remove the BumperShellz without damaging them. Please refer to “removal instructions” in the BumperShellz FAQ section on the website, should removal be necessary.
Care for your BumperShellz™
Care for your BumperShellz™ like you would any fine paint finish. Use high quality cleaning products designed specifically for car care.
Gloss finishes: Oftentimes, minor scratches can be buffed out on the gloss finishes. Rubbing compounds can be used with a mechanical buffer, for deeper scratches.
Matte finishes are much more susceptible to abrasions, leaving a "glossy sheen" on the finish, which are generally permanent. Do not attempt to buff out scratches/abrasions on your matte finish, as this will generally make the damage worse. Avoid excessive friction when trying to remove anything stuck to the matte finish surface and keep cleaning rags/water clean and abrasive free. Abrasive brush-type car washes are not recommended, as they can abrade the Matte finish. Brushless car washes are acceptable.
Gloss finishes: Oftentimes, minor scratches can be buffed out on the gloss finishes. Rubbing compounds can be used with a mechanical buffer, for deeper scratches.
Matte finishes are much more susceptible to abrasions, leaving a "glossy sheen" on the finish, which are generally permanent. Do not attempt to buff out scratches/abrasions on your matte finish, as this will generally make the damage worse. Avoid excessive friction when trying to remove anything stuck to the matte finish surface and keep cleaning rags/water clean and abrasive free. Abrasive brush-type car washes are not recommended, as they can abrade the Matte finish. Brushless car washes are acceptable.