Protecting the lift gate with 3M film or?

[dcdude]

I really don't like touching the paint on my vehicles. Unfortunately, that's exactly what you're likely doing when closing the lift gate on a 5th Gen. I'm getting pretty good about pushing on the "4RUNNER" badge, but it seems like some protection is needed for others who may not be as diligent.

Q: Has anyone stuck 3M film (or something) on the lower part of the lift gate?

Ideally the top edge would "hide" at the bottom of the next crease up in the sheet metal. It seems like a strip about 8" tall would be about right.

 

[Stifler]

I have a truck not fine china.... sorry cant help

 

[acuracing]

I push down on the license plate if I have to. Otherwise, I swing the tailgate down hard enough using the built in handle to close completely.

 

[JayceeP]

I push down on the license plate if I have to. Otherwise, I swing the tailgate down hard enough using the built in handle to close completely.

Ditto I just guide the lift gate down with the handle and let it go after it has enough momentum to close. I never touch the paint or use the 4Runner badge.

 

[jambo]

I have a truck not fine china.... sorry cant help

I second that comment

 

[PhoRunner]

If your really that worried about your paint just got to any 3M/Clear film installer and cover up the back

 

[cbielat]

I just use the pocket on either side and put a little more energy into closing it that way, never touching the paint at all. Simple.

 

[dcdude]

Ditto I just guide the lift gate down with the handle and let it go after it has enough momentum to close. I never touch the paint or use the 4Runner badge.

I just use the pocket on either side and put a little more energy into closing it that way, never touching the paint at all. Simple.

I pointed out the little hand holds to the wife. Perhaps we both have to shut it a bit harder in one motion. At least for me, I'm trying to be gentle with the new machine....

 

[eddiebx]

Do you have some REAL rough hands or something? lol

I would advise against pressing down on the plastic "4RUNNER" panel, if you look around the edge carefully you will see that some parts of it are real close to the painted surface of the tailgate; and I bet if you keep it up you're gonna start scratching away at the paint slowly if it makes contact. This is the exact spot that some members here have complained about rust formation...

 

[philsey]

I really don't like touching the paint on my vehicles..

I'm not saying this to mess with you (and the several that seem to agree with you), but I'm really curious as to why this concerns you so much.

 

[cbielat]

I pointed out the little hand holds to the wife. Perhaps we both have to slam it a bit harder in one motion. At least for me, I'm trying to be gentle with the new machine....

It does take a little more effort but once the tailgate passes that certain point of resistance, it closes somewhat on its own. I never find myself having to slam it.

 

[dcdude]

I have a truck not fine china.... sorry cant help

I second that comment

I'm not saying this to mess with you (and the several that seem to agree with you), but I'm really curious as to why this concerns you so much.

It's probably pretty easy to tell by now that I'm not an off-roader. I tow and my wife hauls kids. We all show love in different ways. Some do mods, I choose to keep the thing as clean as possible for as long as possible. I have had some very nice vehicles and I guess I take care of all of them with the same level of care. It's actually kind of easier that way. Is keeping some wax on the finish not considered cool either? I hope that I can still hang out here.

One day, it will have some battle scars, and at that point, I look forward to easing into the "it's just a truck...no worries" mode. I promise I won't be calling the paintless dent removal guy every year!

 

[eddiebx]

It's probably pretty easy to tell by now that I'm not an off-roader. I tow and my wife hauls kids. We all show love in different ways. Some do mods, I choose to keep the thing as clean as possible for as long as possible. I have had some very nice vehicles and I guess I take care of all of them with the same level of care. It's actually kind of easier that way. Is keeping some wax on the finish not considered cool either? I hope that I can still hang out here.

One day, it will have some battle scars, and at that point, I look forward to easing into the "it's just a truck...no worries" mode. I promise I won't be calling the paintless dent removal guy every year!

Hey there's nothing wrong with wanting to keep your ride clean in my book. Sometimes I only wish I had the patience for that, because like you said, it's a major pain in the arse when it comes time to wash and wax my vehicle because I only do it once a year, lol. But I understand, we all have our own kind of OCD to some extent

But my question to you is, do you seriously think it would scratch it or somehow ruin the paint from grabbing it with just fingers? I don't mean this in a sarcastic way, I just feel like you're kind of worrying over nothing dude. Why not just go enjoy your ride more instead :hatsoff:

 

[dcdude]

I'm not saying this to mess with you (and the several that seem to agree with you), but I'm really curious as to why this concerns you so much.

But my question to you is, do you seriously think it would scratch it or somehow ruin the paint from grabbing it with just fingers? I don't mean this in a sarcastic way, I just feel like you're kind of worrying over nothing dude.

I've got some issues. I think it started with too many car shows with the "Look, but oh, PLEASE don't touch" signs on the cars. I also had a BMW that was mint until my Mom borrowed it, parked it under a sappy tree then tried to clean the sap with a Starbucks napkin. Hood paint was still effed with small spots when I sold it. As a result of this and other experiences, I adopted this mantra: don't sit on my car, don't lean on my car, don't set your god-damn coffee mug on the roof...just don't touch it!!! Then I apply the same rules to myself.

Don't even get me started on cracked, scratched or foggy instrument panels and rips in the seats. I just can't stand having to live with small flaws that you're reminded of daily but you never actually fix. Yeah, OCD...pretty much.

 

[Antman]

There's only 1 cure for you. Have kids.


Worked for me!

I still like things to be pristine but it doesn't bother me nearly as much anymore. Hell, I pulled about 45 Hello Kitty stickers off the back of my Driver's headrest the other day. Must have been the secret stash.:becky:

 

[Davemon]

There's only 1 cure for you. Have kids.


Worked for me!

I still like things to be pristine but it doesn't bother me nearly as much anymore. Hell, I pulled about 45 Hello Kitty stickers off the back of my Driver's headrest the other day. Must have been the secret stash.:becky:

LOL, so true! I've gotten used to the near-impenetrable haze of finger marks on my back windows. My upholstery is barely hanging on. But I'm using this as an excuse to splurge for some Wet Okole covers. And some tint. And some budbuilt sliders. Think of the children, honey!

 

[cbielat]

It's probably pretty easy to tell by now that I'm not an off-roader. I tow and my wife hauls kids. We all show love in different ways. Some do mods, I choose to keep the thing as clean as possible for as long as possible. I have had some very nice vehicles and I guess I take care of all of them with the same level of care. It's actually kind of easier that way. Is keeping some wax on the finish not considered cool either? I hope that I can still hang out here.

One day, it will have some battle scars, and at that point, I look forward to easing into the "it's just a truck...no worries" mode. I promise I won't be calling the paintless dent removal guy every year!

It's ok to keep it clean. I think it's cool having wax on there lol. I do get mine dirty but I work my ass off cleaning it. It's therapeutic for me I guess lol. It looks great dirty but looks pretty classy when it's cleaned.

 

[cbielat]

These would help with my last post.

 

[dcdude]

There's only 1 cure for you. Have kids.

Worked for me! I still like things to be pristine but it doesn't bother me nearly as much anymore. Hell, I pulled about 45 Hello Kitty stickers off the back of my Driver's headrest the other day. Must have been the secret stash.:becky:

Too late. Son is 4, daughter is 6. He's kills everything he can reach: he broke the mirror control on the Mercedes ($400 assembly) and permanently pulled off the door lock knob. Plastic mounts for stainless door stills were sheared off three times. Glad that car is gone. He permanently yanked off the coat hook, oh shit handle and the HVAC vent lever from the rear of my Jetta. But it's an '08 that I bought used, so I'm not too worried. But there's something about the Brand New Car that makes us more protective. Mom has agreed on no food or drink in the new T4R. We'll see how long that policy holds up.

PS: My M3 convertible is used sparingly and unscathed so far. But the kids' bikes share the same garage. All together now, "Sorry, Daddy. I didn't mean to!"