Aluminum Tailgate Panel

[MRoyek]

The red plastic reflective strip on the aluminum tailgate panel has delaminated from the panel. Any good advice on a repair? Are there any repair kits available?

 

[BCook1]

Different strip.

Mine is doing the same thing. Rather than glue it back on I think I will have a local graphics/stripping show make me a red or cummins blue one with the words "Dodge Cummins" cut into the stripe and have them stick it on. The alum. would show through the letters and look pretty good I think. I had some very complicated stock graphics reproduced for a motorhome and they were only about 120 bucks installed. This strip should be easy. They have a huge variety of colors. There should be something that looks good.

 

[MRoyek]

Thanks for the response! Sounds like a great fix. Do you have a contact or phone number for the graphics company you mentioned? I have the original piece to send them to use as a template. Thanks for the HELP!

 

[PPeters]

I have the same problem with mine, and I was considering something like 3m conspiquity tape (trailer reflective tape). Been looking for a source that sells 4" wide red. Thought about getting 2" wide and making a dummy to put on and see how it looked. Anyone know where to get this in 4"?



Pat

 

[BCook1]

Any shop should do

I just used a local Bismarck place - I think it was sign pros or something like that, I can look in the book. Any sign shop that makes decals for business vehicles should be able to do the job. They input the words/sizes into a computer and it does the rest. They could probably scan in the cummins symbol and dodge symbols if you wanted. Or you could use the new style dodge lettering on the 2nd gen trucks.

 

[AMikonis]

Mine was long gone when I got the truck. I bought a roll of red reflective tape from McMaster-Carr. Don't remember the exact specs but it's enough to do two or three and it was about $18...

 

[BCook1]

More Info.

Greetings,

When I needed replacement stripes for my Delta motorhome, Signs and Wonders of Bismarck measured and reproduced the complicated three color factory graphics. They were very reasonable in price. I am sure they could easily make a replacement colored insert for the dodge tailgate. Their number is 1800-201-3848. Personally, I would look for someone in your area to make the strip. That way you can chose a color and the designs you want cut into it. Anyone listed under "signs" in the yellow pages that does vinyl should be able to do it. They can show you about how it will look on the computer before they cut it. The only thing I am not sure about is how one preps the aluminum surface to receive the vinyl graphic. Aluminum is usually a pain and since the vinyl will be less strong than the factory stuff, one will want it to stick as good as possible. Also, if your aluminum is scratched, you may want to buff it out with some steel wool or ???

Let me know how it works

Brennan R. Cook

Also, there used to be available the orange and white slashed barricade tape in a 4" width. I am sure someone can get it but I don't know who - a safety supply store? The cops would probably not like it anyway because people behind you would think you were a fixed object in the road.