Hi! I'm a newbie to this board. I bought my 2005 Prius (with a lot of help from my cousin in FL!) one month ago. I absolutely love this car, and consider myself quite lucky since pre-owned Priuses seem to be a rare breed of car here in central OH. Anyway I've been "lurking" here since I got my Prius and have learned a lot from the posts I've read. I have bought the rear bumper applique and was planning on installing it this weekend. The instructions are a little more involved than I anticipated, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips on installation from previous experience. Thanks!
Piece of cake! Clean the area well with alcohol.... Not the type that come in a can.... Rubbing alcohol works very well... Then simply center up the applique and carefully peel back a very small section of the backing paper and press it down gently. If you need to lift and reposition it you will be able to do so. Then carefully peel the backing off and spread it down gently working from the center out. watch for airbubbles as you go and take you time. A clean dry surface is important!! Also, if you lay the applique out in the sun for a while, it will be a little more pliable and easier to install.
I installed one on my car. We discussed the installation in this thread: http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=1...hl=Marine+Clean
Thank you both! I figured there was a thread on this somewhere but it did not pop up on any of my searches..... I couldn't find the 3M cleaner either. And the instructions I have say to spray with a very dilute dish detergent solution and squeegee out. I'll give it a whirl! Fingers are crossed that I don't screw it up!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(iggypup1 @ Aug 31 2007, 05:34 AM) [snapback]504820[/snapback]</div> Yes, just a couple of drops of dishwashing detergent in a regular size spray bottle (32 oz.) It is very similar to installing tint film in a window, if you have ever done that. Spray the area throughly so that you can "float" the decal over the surface and position it where you want, then start to squeegee the water out starting at the center and working out to the sides.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(iggypup1 @ Aug 31 2007, 05:34 AM) [snapback]504820[/snapback]</div> If you want more than a decal and something that will give you some real protection try: http://www.brandsport.com/toy-pt278-02050.html
[attachmentid=11069] Done today! I'll rate it as a success - I have one teeny bubble that I can't seem to work to the edge, but everything else looks good! Thank you all for your help! Here it is:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(iggypup1 @ Sep 2 2007, 05:35 PM) [snapback]506082[/snapback]</div> The teeny bubble may disappear on its own after whatever soapy water is trapped in there eventually evaporates away. Resist the temptation to pop the bubble with a sharp point - this will let dirt in - I tried it on the first decal. On the second decal (that the body shop installed after my bumper was repainted) I left the bubbles alone and now they are not noticeable.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(prius2go @ Sep 4 2007, 02:20 PM) [snapback]506928[/snapback]</div> The decal is available as an accessory from US Toyota dealers. I don't know if it is also available in the UK, but I would inquire at the Toyota dealer.
