Anyone painted the tailgate on the Platinum? Tried to search for any threads, but I might be the only idiot out there…

I thought the brushed tailgate would grow on me, but after 8500 miles of looking at it, I’m done. I want it to be the body color(Sterling Gray Metallic) and match the rest of the truck. If I can remove any emblems/badges (including the Platinum one) at the same time, all the more the better…

Or, anyone near Dallas Texas want to trade me a non-Platinum tailgate of the same color? With man-step and backup cam of course…

Thanks all!

 

It can peel off...I think. I saw some guy selling his on ebay so he got it off there some how.

 

Yeah I am pretty sure it is just held on with 3m double sided tape

 

yep, sadly just held on with 3m tape. So you could probably drop your tailgate off at a body shop, have them remove the Platinum applique, and remove any leftover tape residue on your tailgate and they should just be able to paint your whole tailgate over. Probably should be able to get it all done in one day. And they can shave off the emblems too, but you'll have to keep the Ford emblem for your camera.

 

I took the FlexFuel badge off my Platinum tailgate with some dental floss. Maybe you can get a *****load of fishing line and take off the Platinum badge.

 

I would think the tailgate would be painted before the applique was installed if its only 3m tape holding it on. Should be easy with some goo gone.

 

if you need a body shop reference let me know.

 

Westpoint has a, er, "point...

I'd think the gate is painted behind the panel... Anyone know 100% for sure that it's just on with tape and no bolts/rivets anywhere?

Just so I know what I'm getting into...

 

Try heating it slowly with a hair dryer. Don't use a heat gun. Keep the heat low and start slowly on a corner. If it's 3M tape, it should release and leave minimal residue. Anything left can be taken care of with goo gone and some windex to take care of any remaining smeared adhesive.

I've done this to remove factory badging on previous vehicles as well as pinstripes.

 

Good points. I’ve debadged a lot of vehicles, just did our 2 new company Camaros, but haven’t a Platinum tailgate…

I’m hoping to know for certain there’s not some random bolt or rivet somewhere hidden and spend a day trying to figure out why the panel won’t separate from the gate. Or, end up bending the panel all to heck and back. I’d like to keep it if possible, or maybe ebay it…

 

if its like the saleen tailgate panels then its held on by double sided tape and little pegs that go through holes in the tailgate.

 

The above is what I'm thinking. I think the panel is just too heavy to be held by tape only. Especially since it is completely vertical.

 

I've used the goo-gone to actually soften the 3M tape used to hold on emblems. just use a little of the fluid at a time and let it eat away at the glue, and then it can peel easier away from the car paint. This is just what I did when i debadged my 4runner. I'm not sure though on the platinum though how the badge is being held on

 

I agree with several points above:

1. If I were a betting man, I would bet that the entire tailgate is painted behind that platinum piece.

2. I would also bet that it is held in place with more than 3M tape. There have got to be some sort of holes that hold it in place so it won't start sliding down with age...

 

I wonder what it would look like if you simply had the applique painted to match the body? That way you'd still stand out a bit, but it wouldn't have the chromed-out look.

Just a thought before you start breaking out the 10 lbs test line.