Fusion Rear Bumper Protector?

[jeffo65]

Has anybody applied the bumper protector for the 2013 Fusion Hybrid?

 

Ours did not come with it, but I can see its advantages and wanted to see how easy or hard it is to install.

 

http://www.levittownfordsupercenter.com/ford-fusion-bumper-protector-rear-applique-p-1264.html

 

 

 

[gkinla]

Has anybody applied the bumper protector for the 2013 Fusion Hybrid?

 

Ours did not come with it, but I can see its advantages and wanted to see how easy or hard it is to install.

 

http://www.levittownfordsupercenter.com/ford-fusion-bumper-protector-rear-applique-p-1264.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you've put decals on a plastic model plane or model car, it's the same technique, except bigger and scarier. The scarier part is if you screw it up it's $60.00 down the drain. I didn't do mine but had my local body shop apply the decal for $25.00.

[jeffo65]

Thanks. I figured it was fairly easy.

 

If you've put decals on a plastic model plane or model car, it's the same technique, except bigger and scarier. The scarier part is if you screw it up it's $60.00 down the drain. I didn't do mine but had my local body shop apply the decal for $25.00.

[KLH]

So... it's a glossy sticker that provides a "layer of protection" on the bumper next to the trunk?

 

 

It's hard to believe that it's more than $10... I'm going to have to think about this.

[dalesky]

The cost comes from it being a Ford product, not the amount or quality of the item. Considering that when the trunk is closed it is invisible,

It is a practical item if it helps prevent scratches caused by taking things out of or putting them into the trunk, like luggage.

it seems unnecessary to spend that much on it. When I had my windows tinted the tint shop offered to put this type of film on a number of areas, so you could check with that type of shop. Should be cheaper than the Ford item being put on, especially if it isn't done perfectly.

[GrySql]

It's hard to believe that it's more than $10...

That's what I thought.

So I just ordered a roll of this stuff, I'll make a template and stick it on.

I'll let you know how it works.

 

[GrySql]

That's what I thought.

So I just ordered a roll of this stuff, I'll make a template and stick it on.

I'll let you know how it works.

I received the roll of vinyl tape, it's 9"x60", was $7.99 shipped - enough for two of these Bumper Protectors @ 30" long each.

I used a box cutter and a steel ruler to cut to fit, working on a big piece of cardboard on my workbench. I did several test fittings before it was ready to be applied, marking the center and edges on the bumper with blue masking tape.

When the paper backing is peeled off it has some adhesive but that is not the way most of this kind of thing is applied.

 

Like a tinted window, I sprayed some dish soapy water on the bumper, positioned the clear vinyl, squeegeed with a credit card and carefully dried with a cotton towel.

Just make sure everything is clean before you start and keep your fingerprints off the sticky side of the vinyl.

It's stuck on there now and is almost invisible, no fancy $60 Fusion logo.

I have enough left to make a second one, plus I'll save the paper backing I just cut as a future template.

 

The yellow arrow shows when the driver's side begins (with the leftover vinyl).

 

Then the arrow for the passenger side end. Hard to see isn't it?

Edited October 11, 2013 by GrySql

[Kaleido]

I received the roll of vinyl tape, it's 9"x60", was $7.99 shipped - enough for two of these Bumper Protectors @ 30" long each.

I used a box cutter and a steel ruler to cut to fit, working on a big piece of cardboard on my workbench. I did several test fittings before it was ready to be applied, marking the center and edges on the bumper with blue masking tape.

When the paper backing is peeled off it has some adhesive but that is not the way most of this kind of thing is applied.

 

Like a tinted window, I sprayed some dish soapy water on the bumper, positioned the clear vinyl, squeegeed with a credit card and carefully dried with a cotton towel.

Just make sure everything is clean before you start and keep your fingerprints off the sticky side of the vinyl.

It's stuck on there now and is almost invisible, no fancy $60 Fusion logo.

I have enough left to make a second one, plus I'll save the paper backing I just cut as a future template.

 

The yellow arrow shows when the driver's side begins (with the leftover vinyl).

 

Then the arrow for the passenger side end. Hard to see isn't it?

WOW! nice job, I too bought a roll of clear for about $12. I too did the soapy application and ripped it off and threw it away, it never stuck right and I had small bubbles all over that I couldn't get out. I even warmed everything up to about a nice 75* I'm glad you had such success! Good for you.

[GrySql]

Thanks, cutting it to fit around the compound curves was the hard part.

I'd just done a big decal on my other car so I was in the zone. ;)

 

As mentioned, I imagine a Tint Shop would do this for a small fee.

[hybridbear]

Thanks, cutting it to fit around the compound curves was the hard part.

I'd just done a big decal on my other car so I was in the zone. ;)

 

As mentioned, I imagine a Tint Shop would do this for a small fee.

Very well done!! Looks great! Should help protect from scratches.

[acdii]

I need to get some of that for my cars. I also need something to put between the grill cover and grill to keep it from getting grit between it and scuffing up the chrome.

[Toz]

wonder if the 3m spray on protector would work well on the rear bumper deck. With the smaller area you would probably have enough to do it twice.

[s-one]

Well I did the metal version.. it doesn't cover the entire length of the bumper but it was easy to put on.

 

[SD Diver]

Well I did the metal version.. it doesn't cover the entire length of the bumper but it was easy to put on.

 

Where do you get this> Also, what's with the bubbles in the photo - is it a plastic coveribg that has yet to be removed?

[s-one]

I order mine from ebay.com but this site has a better picture of it. I guess my picture makes it look like bubbles but its just the etching.

[GrySql]

I order mine from ebay.com but this site has a better picture of it. I guess my picture makes it look like bubbles but its just the etching.

They have a lot of add-on's for the Fusion, was it shipped from China? How long did it take to receive?

[acdii]

That looks nice, but when the trunk is closed is it still visible? I think it would be a bit out of place if it can be seen with the trunk closed on a black car.

[s-one]

Yeah the one I order from eBay was shipped from China. To Cali it took roughly 2.5 weeks. It does stick out a tad bit but that's because the bumper extends the trunk. I'd say no more than a couple of millimeters. But it's not that bad and does help when the kids are sliding their backpacks from the trunk to the bumper (grr). Thinking about it, I'm not sure if I placed it budded up against the trunk lip which would probably not show the couple of millimeters if I did. But I'm not 100% sure. BTW I did not order from that item above just showing a better picture that they had.

[acdii]

Thats why I am considering it, kids+backpacks=scratches.

[djminfll]

Am I missing something? Why would you spend money on something that can't even been seen unless the trunk is open? I am involved in dog rescue and had to pack a large and heavy crate into my trunk to bring to the kennel. I folded down the rear seats and put a large towel over the bumper while I slid the crate into the trunk. If I had the protector on instead of the towel, wouldn't it have gotten scratched without the towel? And if I have to use the towel anyway, what is the point of the protector?

Edited October 19, 2013 by djminfll

[acdii]

The clear protector can stand up to a lot of abuse that the paint cannot. The Stainless Steel one is bling, but can take more abuse than the paint can.

[KLH]

It's definitely bling... but so are the illuminated door sills. The stainless steel looks very cool.

 

I wonder how secure the metal will be with the 3M tape though. Tape doesn't sound secure.

[GrySql]

Am I missing something? Why would you spend money on something that can't even been seen unless the trunk is open? I am involved in dog rescue and had to pack a large and heavy crate into my trunk to bring to the kennel. I folded down the rear seats and put a large towel over the bumper while I slid the crate into the trunk. If I had the protector on instead of the towel, wouldn't it have gotten scratched without the towel? And if I have to use the towel anyway, what is the point of the protector?

I just wanted a little extra protection and only wanted to spend $8. I'm cheap.

[s-one]

Well not everyone can tolerate the sight of scratches on their investments no matter where it's located. It is no different than when Ford puts them on the bottom as door sills to help with scuffs or scratches from getting in and out of the car. Your example with the crate would require more protection even if you had a bumper protector. So using a towel is a good idea regardless. If you happen to scratch the bumper protector with something like a crate, at least for the metals protector like I have if it gets too bad I can simply replace it. Significantly cheaper than having to get the bumper repainted especially if I want to sell my car in the future.

[djminfll]

I bought a lawn mower at Sears in 2007, and the guy put it in the trunk of my Honda Accord and scratched the bumper. Of course, I didn't notice it until I got the mower out of the trunk, so Sears would not take responsibility for the damage. That is when I started keeping a beach towel folded up in the trunk.

I will admit, I do like the way the protector strip looks - very upscale - but it's only visible when the trunk is open, so I'll pass.

 

I did see these door sill plates that I do like though - they're only $39 on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Door-Sill-Plates-scuff-plate-Guards-For-2013-2014-FORD-FUSION-/161114486200?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item25832bf5b8&vxp=mtr

Edited October 19, 2013 by djminfll