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

2021 and newer Ford F150

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 Tailgate Seal is installed before applying very firm pressure, to secure adhesive bond. If necessary, Tailgate Seal can be removed and repositioned prior to applying very firm pressure.

STEP 1:

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 with rubber stop. Cut to fit. Apply light pressure to adhesive. Duplicate for right sidewall.

 

STEP 2:

Cut a 7.750" (19.7cm) piece. Remove liner and flush edge of seal to sidewall extension applying light pressure to adhesive (FIG 2A) Cut one side of a V notch approximately .500" (1.27cm) (FIG 2A). Remove seal and cut the other side of V notch removing a 1" (2.54cm) piece (FIG 2B).

Reposition seal (FIG 2C). Follow curve of truck and and apply light pressure to adhesive (FIG 2D). Duplicate for right side.

STEP 3:

Note: 2 different sealing positions for Ford F150 years 2021 and newer.

STEP 3
Cut and attach a 1.750" (4.4cm) piece to the side of tailgate near the top, bulb side facing upwards. Apply light pressure. Duplicate for the right side.

STEP 4:

Left side: Cut and attach a 2" (5.08cm) piece to the inside of tailgate near the bottom. Bulb side facing inwards. Duplicate for the right side.

2021 and newer Right side: Position bulb outwards for the 2” (5.08cm) piece applied to the lower inside area of tailgate (4A).

STEP 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. For 2021 and newer, position bulb side down for the last 12.25”(31.12cm) of the right side of tailgate gap (5A).

Start at either end, peel back a section of liner and flush to seal on the sidewall. Attach in sections and apply light pressure to adhesive. Flush to seal on the other sidewall and cut to fit. Apply very firm pressure to secure adhesive bond.

STEP 6:

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.

STEP 7:

After Tailgate Seal is in place, apply very firm pressure 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 applying to a surface other than paint, such as plastic or a spray-on bed liner, then leave tailgate open for 24 hours.

 
 
Inside views showing left side of tailgate when closed

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TailgateSeal.com RokBlock.com Taper Seal® is a registered trademark of Extruded Solutions, Inc. U.S. Patent #10,099,544