Bushwacker Pocket Flare Edge Trim issues - Looking for tips

Hey Boys, I’m looking for some help from those of you with the Bushwacker Pocket Flares, specifically the installation of the rubber edge trim in the right/left bend by the turn signal light.

I bought the Bushwacker Pre-Painted Pocket Flares for my Ram. The finish from Bushwacker is perfect…better than the Ram factory finish. The rivets & rubber edge trim also come pre-installed.

Unfortunately, the front passenger side flare arrived with the rubber edge trim not installed properly.

I contacted Bushwacker customer service & they sent me some new rubber edge trim to replace the badly installed one.

I’ve tried twice & for the life of me, I can’t get the edge trim to fit or seat properly on the right & left bend by the turn signal light. I really want this trim to fit properly so I’m looking for tips from those who’ve successfully got the edge trim installed around the turn signal area.






I used the prescribed method from the instruction manual regarding the “V notch” & the “Straight Notch” but with no luck.



The driver’s side front flare where the edge trim fits nicely was not installed according to the prescribed Bushwacker instructions that call for “V cut” for the outward right angle on the flare & a “Notch” on the inward right angle of the flare.

A different method was used that did not involve those cuts. I can’t tell what they did differently without pulling it off & I’m sure as hell not creating more work for myself.

The passenger side front flare had the V cut & Notch in the edge trim, but it was not staying seated properly on the flare.

So it seems that sometimes the Bushwacker installers use the method mentioned in the instructions & sometimes they don’t.

With the winter coming, it’s going to be too easy for all of the winter weather/road debris to get in behind the flare in its current condition.

Anyone have any install tips?

Try the notch method as mentioned and try heating it up with a hair dryer , or letting it sit in direct sunlight for a couple hours just prior to the install .

Hope this helps !

I had the same issue and just ended up cutting it and putting a 2nd small piece in. You're probably going to get debris underneath either way, and I hope you have something underneath the trim to protect your clearcoat.

R.L.K. said:

Try the notch method as mentioned and try heating it up with a hair dryer , or letting it sit in direct sunlight for a couple hours just prior to the install .

Hope this helps !

Click to expand...

Thanks. for the tip.

smoothee said:

I had the same issue and just ended up cutting it and putting a 2nd small piece in. You're probably going to get debris underneath either way, and I hope you have something underneath the trim to protect your clearcoat.

Click to expand...

I don't yet, but am planning on buying this 3M PPF & trying the install myself under the rubber edge trim.

https://www.amazon.ca/Scotchgard-84906-Urethane-Protection-Length/dp/B000PF1PFO

joeygster said:

I don't yet, but am planning on buying this 3M PPF & trying the install myself under the rubber edge trim.

https://www.amazon.ca/Scotchgard-84906-Urethane-Protection-Length/dp/B000PF1PFO

Click to expand...

I see this post is several years old but was wondering if anybody could offer tips/tricks to negotiating the bends by the directional when installing the rubber trim besides using a heat gun which I’ll be doing as well. Do you suggest cutting and installing multiple smaller pieces to get around these spots?

OrangepeelRAM said:

I see this post is several years old but was wondering if anybody could offer tips/tricks to negotiating the bends by the directional when installing the rubber trim besides using a heat gun which I’ll be doing as well. Do you suggest cutting and installing multiple smaller pieces to get around these spots?

Click to expand...

I was able to get the rubber trim installed using the methods described above with the exception of the very front of the front flares where the trim almost doubles back on itself. I've attached a picture and you can see the separation of the trim in that location.

I didn't have any problems going around the front part .... it went around it pretty easy actually ....

I didn't use heat gun at all ... just took my time and push down ... i actually used the door trim from autozone



Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

joeygster said:

I don't yet, but am planning on buying this 3M PPF & trying the install myself under the rubber edge trim.

https://www.amazon.ca/Scotchgard-84906-Urethane-Protection-Length/dp/B000PF1PFO

Click to expand...

Did you end up using the 3M film? I purchased some myself and am wondering if you have any recommendations/tips on applying this.

OrangepeelRAM said:

Did you end up using the 3M film? I purchased some myself and am wondering if you have any recommendations/tips on applying this.

Click to expand...

No I never did it. It was one of those projects I intended to do but never had the time.

From this video it looks like this guy just ran a thin strip exactly where the weatherstripping rested against the vehicle. That's the best way to do it for an amateur because PPF installation is not for the faint of heart. This video is a great "How to". He applied it dry and didn't worry about it being perfect on the inside edge (hidden under flare) but only worried about the outside edge where the film extended beyond the flare.

This video is the same guy showing you how it totally protected his paint.

5 minute epoxy and a steady thumb lol

joeygster said:

No I never did it. It was one of those projects I intended to do but never had the time.

yeah, I ended up not doing that either. Just ram out of time. They were enough of a pain in the ass as it was but they’re finally on!!

Click to expand...

OrangepeelRAM said:

View attachment 249302

Click to expand...

Turned out great brother.....