Plastic stickers removed. Did I screw up?

[Andrew Ryan]

I was messing with the rear of my truck when I noticed some clear stickers between the tailgate and the body. In the moment not giving it much thought I removed them thinking it was something the dealership overlooked when prepping my vehicle. I’ll post a couple pictures of them so people can see. I’m currently at work so I can’t take any of my own pictures to show where they were. Do these actually offer any protection from anything?

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[Andrew Ryan]

My thoughts are that it might offer some protection from the tie down / bottle opener on both sides. I’m pretty sure I removed 4 or them so I’ll have to check tomorrow before work when the sun is still out to see where they were. For a moment I stressed myself out about it but I’ll monitor it and if it starts to get damage in those areas I might spray that small area with bed liner.

 

[Shakesbear]

Pretty sure those are there to keep the support cables from rubbing off your paint where the cables hit when you close the tailgate.

 

[Toddman45]

Yeah that's all it is just keep the tailgate cables from rubbing the paint and wearing through the clear coat and then the base color yada yada etc etc...

I wouldn't have removed them.

 

[Shakesbear]

A piece of blue duct tape in the same spot should cover you

 

[No Brand]

The Dee Zee Tail gate assist includes those stickers to prevent aforementioned rubbing.

 

[VICKY]

I was messing with the rear of my truck when I noticed some clear stickers between the tailgate and the body. In the moment not giving it much thought I removed them thinking it was something the dealership overlooked when prepping my vehicle. I’ll post a couple pictures of them so people can see. I’m currently at work so I can’t take any of my own pictures to show where they were. Do these actually offer any protection from anything?

Can't really see it unless you are REALLY looking for it, wouldn't lose too much sleep over it.

 

[colinl]

Pretty sure those are there to keep the support cables from rubbing off your paint where the cables hit when you close the tailgate.

yes. this is a little piece of clear vinyl to help protect the paint. as such, the vinyl may (probably will) eventually wear through but until that happens it's saving paint which in turn prevents any scratched metal from rusting.

many ford vehicles have these, I would venture to say all. my bronco has little pieces of ppf in places on the integrated rollbar and top surfaces of the rear 'bedside' that are exposed when you have the top removed.

OP I wouldn't necessarily worry about it, especially if you don't keep vehicles for 5-10+ years. You could get replacement stickers; generic, thin ppf is like $10 for a 4"x25' roll and you could cut to fit.

 

[Nutty 5.0]

You can get replacements cheap. We use it in pinball to protect high wear areas like ball drops. Mylar is what you want. Pinball places sell it cheap and in precut shapes. Amazon would be fine too.
https://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/66-MAS

 

[Fcnrwy]

Ya, All my Rangers had them..

Jerry

 

[SloopJB]

I have a 2024 XLT and cannot see any sticker or imprint of where one used to be

 

[Joe Strummer]

I'm not convinced by the paint protection argument. One, the tailgate cable has a vinyl/rubber coating (not likely to chip pain). Second, the cable does not actually make contact in this area (at least mine doesn't).

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I have a 2024 XLT and cannot see any sticker or imprint of where one used to be

No stickers either. Correction
I have the stickers. As pointed out by nutty 5.0
Pictures of my mav. attached.

 

[Nutty 5.0]

No stickers either.
I agree with Joe in the above post.
Pictures of my mav. attached.

The sticker is clear. You can see it in your pics:

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