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Tailgate Applique Installation Guide

Tailgate applique being fitted over a Toyota Tacoma tailgate

Tailgate appliques fit over the upper part of your factory tailgate. They do not replace it. Each applique is held on with pre-applied 3M automotive tape. This guide covers the steps that apply to all of them, followed by notes for specific trucks.

Before you peel anything: do a dry fit. Once the red backing is off the tape, the part is considered used, so make sure it fits and the color is right first. If you ordered a painted or color-matched version, check the color against your truck during the dry fit.

1. Before you start

  • Check the applique against your order for the right finish or color and for damage.
  • Pick a day and place where the surface can be 68 to 100 F (20 to 38 C), and never below 60 F (15 C). If it is cooler, warm the surface and the part gently with a hair dryer or heat gun, from a distance.
  • Plan to work on a clean, shaded area, and read all steps first.

2. What you will need

  • In the box: the applique with tape pre-applied, an adhesion promoter, and on some sets blackout tape, a light bar or marker lights.
  • Isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a clean, lint-free cloth.
  • A plastic trim or pry tool and masking tape.

3. Prepare the tailgate

  1. Remove any emblems, lettering or badges that sit inside the outline of the applique, if the truck notes say so.
  2. Wash and dry the tailgate and wipe the surface with isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth.
  3. Wipe the adhesion promoter on every area where tape will touch. Let it dry.

4. Dry fit

  1. Hold the applique in place without removing any backing. Check that it is centered, level with the style line, and that the top edge tucks where it should.
  2. Use masking tape marks to remember the centered position.

5. Install

  1. Expose the tape in stages. On the perimeter strips, peel back and fold over the first inch or so of red backing and stick it to the front of the part with masking tape. Fully remove the backing on any inner strips, because you will not be able to reach them once the part is in place. This keeps the tape from sticking before the part is positioned.
  2. Align the top edge, center the part, and keep the tape off the tailgate until the position is exactly right.
  3. Slowly pull the backing along the top while pressing the newly exposed tape onto the tailgate. Do the rest of the perimeter the same way.
  4. Press firmly on every taped area and remove any protective film.

After installation

  • Press all taped areas firmly again 24 hours later.
  • Wait at least 48 hours before an automatic car wash or highway driving.
  • The tape reaches full strength after 3 to 5 days at temperatures above 70 F, and longer if it is cooler. Once fully bonded, the part is very hard to remove without damaging it.

Truck-specific notes

Choose your truck to see the details for it. Follow these together with the general steps above.

Pick your truck

Ford

F-150 2015-2020

Toyota

Tacoma 2024-2025 (tailgate spoiler applique)Tundra 2022-2025 (tailgate applique)

Ford F-150 2015-2020

Extra tools: Isopropyl alcohol, clean cloth, plastic trim / pry tool

Before you start:

  • Remove the Ford emblem and any lettering or badges that sit inside the outline of the applique. Instructions for removing emblems safely are easy to find online.

Install notes:

  • The kit has the applique with tape pre-applied, three adhesion promoter packets and, if you bought it, a rear light bar.
  • Dry fit without removing the backing. Clean the tailgate, finishing with an isopropyl wipe, then wipe the adhesion promoter on the tape areas.
  • Line the top edge up with the valley of the upper style line on the tailgate, and center it so it is the same distance from the tailgate edge on both sides. If you are working alone, it is easier to take the tailgate off and lay it face up.
  • Peel back the first 1.5 inches of backing from each section of perimeter tape and tape it to the front. Remove the backing fully from the inner tape, which you cannot reach later.
  • If there is a light bar, feed its wire through the hole where the Ford logo was and out through the center hole at the bottom of the tailgate.
  • Center and align the applique without letting the tape stick. Then slowly pull the backing along the top perimeter while pressing the newly exposed tape onto the tailgate, making sure the part does not shift. Repeat on the other perimeter sections.
  • Press firmly on all taped areas. Wait 48 hours before an automatic car wash or highway driving, and press again after 24 hours.
  • Light bar wiring: follow the wiring notes below.

Watch for:

  • Light bar wiring is general guidance only. If you are not comfortable with vehicle wiring, ask a qualified technician. Lighting laws vary by location, so check the rules where you drive.
  • The wires are extended to about 8 feet. Confirm which wire does what by touching the light bar wires to a 12 V source before you splice. Identify the matching vehicle wires with a voltmeter or the vehicle wiring diagram (turn on the function, and for reverse have a helper with the brake applied). The wires are reached at the taillight assemblies or the harness under the bed.
  • Splice each light bar wire to its matching vehicle wire with snap-lock splicers, or solder and heat-shrink, check the function after each splice, then tuck and tie the wires up under the bed. Ford models can differ: adding connectors may interfere with the back-up or towing sensors.

Choose a different truck

Toyota Tacoma 2024-2025 (tailgate spoiler applique)

Extra tools: Isopropyl alcohol, plastic pry tool

Install notes:

  • If you bought the version with marker lights, do the marker light wiring below first.
  • Dry fit and note the centered position. Peel and tape: peel back the first section of backing on the perimeter tape and tape it to the front, and fully remove the backing from the inner tape.
  • Clean the top of the tailgate thoroughly with alcohol and apply the adhesion promoter where tape will touch.
  • Start at one side and carefully tuck the top edge of the applique under the tailgate cap, without letting the tape touch until it is centered. If there is a protective film, peel it back where it tucks under the cap. Continue down the tailgate.
  • When you are happy with the position, press the taped areas against the tailgate to hold it, then pull the backing tabs and press each area. Finish with firm pressure everywhere and remove any film.

Watch for:

  • Marker light wiring is a typical example, not a complete technical manual. Adjust the steps for your vehicle. Typical light wires: white is ground, red is the red mode (connect to brake) and yellow is the white mode (connect to reverse). Wire colors can vary, so test with a 12 V battery before you install.
  • You will need: a drill and bits, wire strippers and crimpers, a multimeter or test light, fish tape, a 10 mm socket, zip ties, three colors of 18 to 20 gauge extension wire (about 10 to 12 feet each), weatherproof butt connectors, T-taps or Posi-Taps, and wire loom.
  • On the bench, extend the light wires with butt connectors and seal them. Drill a small hole in the plastic tailgate cap under where the wire exits the applique, fish the wires through the inside of the tailgate and mount the light.
  • Run the wires alongside the factory harness out of the bottom of the tailgate, leaving a slack service loop at the hinge so the wires do not snap when the tailgate opens. Tie them to the factory harness.
  • Remove the passenger-side tail light (two bolts) and unplug it. Find the +12 V wires for brake and reverse with a multimeter and a helper, tap your extension wires into them and connect the ground to the factory ground or a clean chassis bolt. Wire colors differ by trim, so test rather than guess.
  • Reinstall the tail light. Test: the light should glow red on the brake and white in reverse. If it stays white on the brake, the brake and reverse wires may be swapped. Open and close the tailgate a few times to check the wires move freely.

Choose a different truck

Toyota Tundra 2022-2025 (tailgate applique)

Extra tools: Isopropyl rubbing alcohol

Install notes:

  • The set has the applique with tape pre-applied, an adhesion promoter stick and one strip of blackout tape.
  • Detailed written steps for this part are not available yet. Follow the general steps in this guide, and use the blackout tape wherever the factory tailgate could show at an edge. Contact us if you would like help.

Choose a different truck

Care

  • Treat the overlay like a fine paint finish and use good quality car care products.
  • Gloss: light scratches can often be buffed out.
  • Matte: abrasion leaves a permanent glossy sheen. Do not buff matte finishes, avoid friction, and use a brushless car wash.
  • Textured black TPO cannot be polished or repainted.

Troubleshooting

The applique is crooked

Lift it gently if the tape has only touched lightly and realign it to the style line and tailgate edges. If it has bonded, stop and contact us before pulling harder.

An edge lifts after a day or two

Warm the area gently, press firmly for 30 seconds or more, and repeat over the next day.

Need help? Email info@partify.ca or call 888-719-8297, and tell us your vehicle and the part number from your order.