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Rear Bumper Scuff Protection


dtorres
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  • 2 weeks later...

I can't say how difficult it would be to get the old clear one off, but I suspect there would be lots of the original adhesive remaining on the bumper that would take some rubbing alcohol and lots of elbow grease to remove entirely. Install a black one like the UK bumper cover that Marc Smith used, and most the old adhesive probably wouldn't show.

 

The European C-MAX design was significantly updated for the 2016 model year, so the newer UK item would not fit properly. European countries also have the S-MAX (extended cabin size C-MAX), that probably also has a different rear bumper shape. The C-MAX 2010-2015 design was sold throughout Europe, so there are likely suppliers in other countries who still sell accessories, if you can find an English-language website that sells and ships to the US.

 

I purchased (partscheap.com) and installed the US 'factory' protection myself in 2014 after watching some YouTube videos about installing clear paint protection on hoods and fenders, to get a few tips from the 'pros'.

 

Best practices:

1. Wash everything and dry it thoroughly.

2. Clean the attachment area of the bumper with microfiber cloth and rubbing alcohol to remove any wax.

3. WITH THE HATCH CLOSED, measure and mark where BOTH the center logo and BOTTOM EDGE of each end of the appliqué are on the part the surface that will not move. Otherwise you'll get the logo too far 'under' the closed hatch.

4. OPEN THE HATCH and again, mark the center, where the UPPER EDGE of the protector should be on the bumper AND the upper edge of BOTH ends of the bumper just inside the hatch area where you can easily see to align it on the bumper before adhering anything. It helps to have a second person to help hold, align, and mark it.

5. After peeling off the backing, apply LOTS of soapy water to both bumper and appliqué and work from the center to the outside edge, gradually forcing the water out using a flexible squeegee to get everything adhered properly.

6. Make sure ALL the water and ALL bubbles are forced out before you quit.

7. Park it in full sun for a day.

 

More than 2 years later, it has accumulated a couple of minor scuffs (exactly what I didn't want to happen to the paint on the bumper itself), but it is still fully adhered.

post-1940-0-14573700-1479845328_thumb.jpg

post-1940-0-03668000-1479845339_thumb.jpg

 

If this all seems like a lot of bother, you can always have the dealer's trim shop remove the old one and install a new one!

Edited by kostby
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