3M Trim Tape Prep...

[AL-53]

Hello

I hav a 2004 Ford Ranger..I have put on bed rail protectors and a tailgate edge protector last year.



Today I removed them to check conditions underneath them as the was no protection product under them. They are held on the surface with 3M Trim Adhesive Tape. Well I cleaned the surface with a orange solvent to remove any residual adhesive and then a quick wipe of alcohol.



Now my question is can I add some paint protection under them such as OCW..Nxt..UPP.or any of the polymer sealants to add some protection and not have a adhesive tape bonding issue. I know any wax product will not work but do not know about a polymer product.



Any product with silicone is a no no also..



Any advice would be helpful...



P.S. the paint looked good under them..but was dirty due to a space caused by the little height of the tape.. it does not fit exactly flush..the tape is the thickness of a nickel..



Thank You



Al

__________________

 

[imported_Intel486]

Any product with silicone is a no no also..

Really wish I could answer your question but I don't want to tell you go ahead on a polymer wax only to have the tape not stick.



Most synthetic waxes are a Silicone product though usually a PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane). But this silicone is a HUGE field of products because of it's nature. You can add stuff onto it and make thousands of different combinations and each one is different. The stuff in the synthetic waxes is suppose to crosslink together and form a coating on the surface of the paint though. It's not a silicone like the body shops are afraid of which is Dimethyl Silicone and not a siloxane.



For those that want to know, the basic chain is

(CH3)3 Si O[(Ch3)2 Si O)n SI(CH3)3 Where n can be different numbers. The Methyl groups can all be subsittuted out and depending on the molecular weight of the chain you can make the stuff a liquid all the way to a gel. It's used in everythign from vinyl to brake fluid to hydraulic fluid. I don't know that much about this stuff yet but I'm working on it.

 

[AL-53]

well the OCW would not work..after reading contents it contains wax..looking for more of a pure sealant..maybe some Klasse Sealant..any ideas if this would work.



reason want to protect under the rail caps is when I removed them there was dirt under them..I am worried about salt build up under them during the winter.



Thank You



Al

 

[imported_Intel486]

well the OCW would not work..after reading contents it contains wax..looking for more of a pure sealant..maybe some Klasse Sealant..any ideas if this would work.



reason want to protect under the rail caps is when I removed them there was dirt under them..I am worried about salt build up under them during the winter.



Thank You



Al

I don't know much about Klasse and I don't think many people do. They don't seem to share much info.



Just noticed today that Poorboy's EX-P is an amino functional resin... and I couldn't tell you what that means as I haven't looked into that topic at all. lol



How often do you take the bedcaps off? Because that sealant isn't going to last forever under there.

 

[AL-53]

Intel



I will be taking them off every summer ..just to make sure the paint is ok..it's a pain to do but in the long run may save me troubles down the road..I was thinking EX-P or Klasse..I have a test going now on a panel..



I have both on a panel letting them cure and then apply the tape after 48 hours..I will wait a week and see if any problems...



I will also leave tape on to see total duration of the bonding...if it works then I have a answer..if it just last 6-7 months then I know the surface must be clean of anything.



Thanks Again



AL

 

[salty]

You could try a clear bra material, such as 3M and overlay it so you could see the area and tape over top.

 

[SK2003TypeS]

You could try a clear bra material, such as 3M and overlay it so you could see the area and tape over top.

This is the approach I would take. These types of guards usually have the perimeter of the guard make contact with the paint and eventually will rub and scratch the paint. I have that with my splash guards.