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
2020 and newer Chevrolet Silverado and
GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500
Kit includes 2 sizes of Tailgate Seal with Taper Seal®: Standard and Large
STEP 1
Clean area thoroughly with soap and water solution and wipe completely dry. Use alcohol pad to prep the tape application area and let dry. Wait until after STEP 6 to apply very firm pressure to secure adhesive bond. If necessary, seal can be removed and repositioned for the sidewalls only, not the tailgate gap, prior to STEP 7. Pictures shown below are for the left sidewall and tailgate gap.
STEP 2: ATTACHING TO SIDEWALLS USING LARGE TAILGATE SEAL
Start 1” (2.5 cm) below truck bed floor and attach using Large Tailgate Seal to the rear corner edge of the left sidewall extension (FIG 2A). When nearing top of sidewall, gradually rotate seal 90° counter clockwise so that bulb side is facing inward and the taped side of seal is flush with the sidewall at the top (FIG 2B). Cut to fit. Apply light pressure to adhesive. Duplicate for right sidewall.
STEP 3: ATTACHING 4.50” (11.4cm) LARGE TAILGATE SEAL TO SIDE OF TAILGATE TOP
Cut a 4.50” (11.4cm) piece from the Large Tailgate Seal and attach to the side of tailgate near the top, bulb side facing up (FIG 3A). Apply light pressure. Duplicate for right side.
Alternate view
STEP 4: ATTACHING 3.50” (9cm) STANDARD TAILGATE SEAL TO SIDE OF TAILGATE BOTTOM
Cut a 3.50” (9cm) piece of Standard Tailgate Seal and attach to the side of tailgate near the bottom, bulb side facing up (FIG 4A). Apply light pressure. Duplicate for right side.
STEP 5
Close tailgate. If you see light through the sidewalls make adjustments by removing the seal and repositioning. If there is still light, then cut pieces of seal as needed and attach to sidewalls and/or tailgate. Do not attach adhesive to seal. After Tailgate Seal is in place, apply very firm pressure to secure the adhesive bond.
STEP 6
One minute help video available at TailgateSeal.com. NOTE: More often bulb side is down for Silverado and Sierra.
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 the bulb makes contact with tailgate. If the bulb rolls downwards just before closing tailgate, so that you can see the tape, then seal has rolled and compressed too much. This can cause added stress to the adhesive and possible separation.
If compressing too much, then invert 1” piece so that bulb side is down. Raise tailgate again and make sure no light is visible through the 1” piece. Adjust 1” piece higher or lower in the gap, as needed, to block the light.
After determining if bulb should be up or down and how high or low, remove 1” piece and pick up one end of the Standard Tailgate Seal. Start at either end, peel back liner and flush to tailgate seal on the sidewall. Attach in sections, apply light pressure to adhesive should you need to reposition. Flush to seal on the other sidewall and cut to fit. Apply very firm pressure to secure adhesive bond.
STEP 7
After seal is in place, apply very firm pressure to secure the entire adhesive bond. If air temperature will fall below 55°F (13°C) within the next 24 hours or, if applying to a surface other than paint, such as plastic or spray on bed liners, then leave tailgate open for 24 hours.
Inside view showing left side of tailgate when closed
