Tough Stuff Paint Protectors - Fender Guards
Manufactured by Tough Stuff Products
Door Protectors Install * Fender Protectors Install
Windshield Protector Install
After tackling the door protector install, I thought I would give the fenders a shot. The fender paint protectors are also manufactured by Tough Stuff Products and at matched in quality and performance. The paint protectors themselves are die-cut from abrasion resistant, O.E.M. quality, U.V. stabilized (non-fading/yellowing) textured vinyl with permanent acrylic adhesive. The protectors are offered in either a clear or black color and are removable if you ever wanted to take them off.
Lets get on with the installation...
The gang over at Tough Stuff Products provides very detailed instructions that are included with the purchase of the fender protectors, but since we conquered the door protector install, we pretty much knew what to do. Surface preperation is the key to the paint protectors adhesion. First thing we need to do is remove the hood latch and the hood bumpers found on the topside of the fenders. Once these are off, we move onto the cleaning of the surface and the actual preparation. Instuctions call for 70% isobutyl alcohol to be used on the paint, since anything more would be over bearing and bad on your paint job. I used a clean terry cloth towel to wipe down my fenders of all debris. Make sure you at least go over the area three times or more. In case you decide to remove the protectors in the future for any reason, be careful not to rub too hard as you might dull up your paint or scratch the naked fender.
Once clean, the fenders should be ready to receive their new protection. Before I began the actual install of the protectors, I unrolled them and set them where I thought they should go. Remember the rule "Measure twice and cut once"? Well, its not that drastic, but the rule here is "Measure twice, eyeball it and tape it down". Be sure to get the right fender protector where it should be as well. I had them backwards in the beginning and thought it looked odd. I swapped sides and "VIOLA!" everything lined up like it should. One more measure and then time to break out the tape. I use automotive tape that can be purchased at any auto parts store, but masking tape will work fine too since it wont be on the Jeep® for very long. All we are doing is holding the paint protector in place while we adhere half of it.
With the paint protector masked down, start by removing half of the tape you had just placed on the fender. Peel back the waxy back paper that was originally flush with the fender until you get to the middle of the protector. Use a sharp pair of scissors or simply tear the waxy back paper from the sticky adhesion side. Slowly, working from the middle to the edge, press the paint protector in place. The hole for the hood latch and hood bumper will be covered when you set the fender protector. Don't worry about this right now, we will come to it. After half of the protector is set, unmask the other taped down portion of the protector and repeat the process working towards the back of the Jeep®. Once this has been completed, go ahead and check for any air bubbles that may lie beneath. I found none, but if you happen to come across some simply work them to the edge and press them out, or cut a small slice in the bubble and apply pressure to get it to release. I used a decal application squeegee for all of my bubble pressing.
Once everything is set on both sides, we now need re-install the latches and bumpers. Remember we covered them up earlier in the installation? All we need to do is locate the holes on the top of the fender and using an exacto knife or box cutter, simply cut out the holes and attach the appropriate hardware. Once all of the hardware is attached, lower your hood and step back and admire your new Tough Stuff Paint Protectors. With both style and functionality, these fender guards have already came in handy when working on anything under the hood. I can now just set my tools on the fender and not have to worry about wrench gouges or paint chips.
Submitted by: Scuba
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