How to Install Bed Rail Caps

Most of us use the trucks and trailers in our daily use of business or personal uses but very few people know some common technicalities of trucks. Even if we know little of these things, it could be of great help when you actually need to do all on your own. The pick up trucks market is huge and so are its parts, the bed caps and the tailgates are the most susceptible part to damage in these types of trucks. The damage is bound to happen with the hauling of things and loading of tools and supplies on the sides of the trucks. If you install the bed rail caps on the top edges of the trucks, you can save the bed area from the damage and can live your bed with little scar. It is very critical to save your pick up trucks when it is used on a daily basis for loading and unloading purposes and with heavy items you cannot go slow and steady. Installing the chrome and the diamond plate improves the looks of the vehicle. The installation process for bed rail caps is pretty simple and straightforward and you can try it yourself too.

The things that you will require for installation of bed rail caps are lint free rags, grease pencil and rubbing alcohol. Follow the steps given below:

• You might have used your pick up truck bed for varied purposes earlier, so the best is to wash it off with the automotive soap and water to clean the surface and also removing the dirt particles gathered on it. A dirt free area would help for a proper tape adhesion.
• The next step is to de-wax the bed cap, the front cap of the bed, tailgate cap and rubbing the alcohol and the lint free rag in the down area to remove all the residue. After the rubbing alcohol has dried, your hand should feel the bed cap sticky that will ensure the absence of wax build up.
• Now, place each bed cap on its place without using the adhesive tape. You can mark the edge of the caps with grease pencil so that it helps while installing the adhesive tape on top edges of the bed.
• Now stick four inches of double-sided adhesive tape on to the leading edge of the front cap that is facing the tailgate. Start putting the tape from the driver’s side corner and remove the remainder of the tape as the tape gets along to the other side of the bed. Press the tape firmly by putting 30 pounds of pressure for proper adhesion.
• The next step is to remove the tape from front cap so as to expose the adhesive that is attached to the cap. Now, position the cap slightly above the intended position so the cap will be centered when it is pressed on to tape. Now press down gently with 30-pound pressure.
• Apply the adhesive tape strip on the sides and tailgate around one quarter inch above the pencil mark. Trim the rest of the tape with a scissor and press down the tape to stick it firmly.
• Now stick another adhesive strip on the inside edge on the side of the tailgate area, trim the remaining left over tape and press the stuck tape firmly.
• Stick the third strip on the top of each side of bed caps, press it firmly and give pressure for proper adhesion. Remove the rest of the tape backing so that adhesive is exposed for the installation of the bed cap.
• Now situate the driver side bed cap at its place and press down along the entire length for proper adhesion. Also attach the passenger bed cap in similar fashion now install the tailgate on the tape and put a 30-pound pressure on to it.

Now use the clean rug to wipe away the grease pencil mark on the tailgate of the bed. Let the bed caps set for over 2-3 hours. Do not attempt to wash the truck within 2-3 days after the installation. Make sure the adhesion is properly dried up before you put water or any liquid on to the bed.