Front Door(S)
1. Use the edge of a 3M(TM) Scotchcal(TM) Blue Squeegee or equivalent to carefully lift up the edge of the lower window molding and remove it (see Figure 2). See the PARTS INFORMATION section for details on the squeegee.
2. Remove the front door inner cover finisher (opposite the side-view door mirror). See Figure 3 for finisher clip locations.
This is done to reach the nuts holding the door mirror assembly in place.
3. Pull down the door's inside weatherstrip (see Figure 4). Let it hang loosely against the door.
4. Remove the nuts that hold the door mirror in place. Let the mirror assembly hang loose from the door (see Figure 5).
CAUTION:
Protect the paint finish of the door by wrapping a clean cloth around the mirror.
5. Pull down the glass run rubber. Let it hang loosely against the outside door (see Figure 5).
6. Remove the existing blackout tape as follows:
A. Use the edge of the 3M(TM) Scotchcal(TM) Blue Squeegee or equivalent to unfold the tape along the outside edges of:
^ the vertical door sash
AND
^ the horizontal door sash.
See Figure 6.
B. Carefully apply heat with a heat gun over the entire sash area to soften the existing blackout tape. Keep the heat gun's nozzle at least 12 inches away from the sash.
CAUTION:
Too much heat will damage the door sash or surrounding parts (paint, glass run rubbers, window finishers, etc.)
Only an experienced paint technician, who is familiar with paint temperature limitations, should use a heat gun.
Important Points
^ DO NOT overheat the door sash Heat the area just enough to soften the blackout tape for easy removal.
^ The heat gun "wattage" should not exceed 1400 watts.
^ Do not hold the heat gun nozzle closer than 12 inches from the sash surface. Also, do not hold the heat gun in one position. keep the nozzle moving from side to side to evenly heat the tape
C. While softening the existing blackout tape with the heat gun, slowly peel the tape away in one piece, starting at the lower B-pillar and working up and around the door frame (see Figure 7).
7. Apply 3M(TM) General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner to the front and back of the Door Sash Area (see the PARTS INFORMATION section for detail) - see Figure 8.
8. Use the 3M(TM) Scotchcal(TM) Blue Squeegee or equivalent to remove any existing adhesive from the front and back of the Door Sash area.
9. Use a clean, soft cloth to clean the front and back of the Door Sash area with a solution of 1 part Isopropyl Alcohol and 2 parts water.
SPECIAL NOTES:
^ The new blackout tape is wider than the sash face.
^ The new blackout tape must be applied evenly so that the tape's outside edges "overlap," or extend beyond the door sash frame edges.
This overlap is necessary so that the blackout tape's inside and the outside edges may be properly wrapped around the door sash.
To make sure this overlap is even, use masking tape "guides" as shown.
10. Make the blackout tape "guides" using 1" masking tape, as follows:
^ Cut nine 2" long strips of masking tape,
^ Fold three of the pieces of tape so that the top edges are folded over 1/4" adhesive to adhesive (see Figure 9).
^ Fold the remaining six pieces of tape so that the top edges are folded over 3/16", adhesive to adhesive (see Figure 9)
NOTE:
The length of the nine strips of masking tape is not critical. It is however VERY IMPORTANT that the edges of the tape are folded over to the measurements noted above
11. Apply the three "guides" with 1/4" folded top edges to the inside surface of the vertical (side) door frame edge. See Figures 10 and 11.
12. Apply the six "guides" with 3/16" folded edges to the inside surface of the horizontal (top) door frame edge so they are sticking out (up). See Figures 10 and 11.
13. Use a spray bottle to wet down the vertical doorframe with water (see Figure 12).
The water will help you move the tape around later
SPECIAL NOTES
- Preparation of Blackout Tape for Installation:
The blackout tape has a very sticky backing so it will "stick fast" to the door sash (see Figure 13 for a front view of the Front Door, Left-hand Blackout Tape).
Use the following steps to "prepare" the blackout tape for application before you apply it. This preparation will help prevent damage to the tape:
14. Use a pen or marker to mark the blackout tape's backing paper as shown in Figure 14.
15. Remove the perforated part of the blackout tape by tearing it off as shown in Figure 15.
16. Carefully peel back the blackout tape backing paper's corner. Then, cut the blackout tape's backing paper as shown in Figure 16 (do not cut the tape).
Applying the door "sash" vertical section blackout tape:
17. Peel away the backing paper from the vertical section only of the blackout tape. Leave the backing paper attached to the horizontal section of the blackout tape (see Figure 16).
18. Make sure the B-pillar is still wet. If it is not, spray it down again with water.
The water will help you move the tape around.
Start at the top of the B-pillar to line up the vertical portion of the blackout tape (see Figure 17).
19. Align the outside edge of the blackout tape to the outside edges of the three 1/4" tape "guides" placed on the side of the doorframe in step 11 (see Figure 17).
20. Apply/press the blackout tape onto the door sash starting at the top of the B-pillar, working your way down toward the floor.
21. Use the squeegee and your hand to smooth out winkles and air bubbles in the tape. Start at the bottom of the B-pillar area and work up toward the top (see Figure 18).
CAUTION:
Do not press too hard when using the squeegee. The blackout tape can tear if too much pressure is used.
Applying the door "sash" horizontal section blackout tape:
22. Use a spray bottle to wet down the horizontal doorframe with water.
23. Start at the top corner of the B-pillar to line up the horizontal portion of the blackout tape (see Figure 19).
24. Peel off the rest of the backing paper from the blackout tape.
25. Align the outside edge of the blackout tape to the outside edges of the six 3/16" tape "guides" placed on the top of the doorframe in step 12 (see Figure 19)
26. Apply/press the blackout tape onto the door sash from the outside edge of the B-pillar inward, toward the front of the vehicle (see Figure 19).
27. Use the squeegee and your hand to carefully smooth out wrinkles and air bubbles in the tape, starting at the inside edge of the door sash outward, toward the corner of the B-pillar (see Figure 19).
28. Let the blackout tape dry.
29. Remove all nine masking tape "guides".
30. Use your fingers to press and form the blackout tape edges around the inside and outside edges of the door sash (see Figure 20). Do this around the entire border of the door sash.
31. Use the squeegee to completely press the blackout tape around the inside and outside edges of the sash (see Figure 21). Do this around the entire border of the door sash.
32. Smooth out any left over bubbles or wrinkles that might still exist in the blackout tape.
33. Reinstall all parts removed in reverse order.
34. If needed:
^ repeat the procedure on the other front door, and/or
^ perform Repair Procedure - Rear Door(s).
If no other door sashes are affected, the procedure is complete.