Tailgate - Who To speak with.

[SkippyG4]

So I want to put the pop lock on my tailgate handle. Problem is that i can't get the tailgate access panel open due to the bed liner that the dealer had put on for me when I bought the truck. Do I contact the dealer (bought the truck april 2014) to find out what to do or do I contact the people they had install the bed liner.

 

[TBaganATX]

Call the dealer, they had it done for you correct?

[Retired Bob]

I've gotta agree with you, that is one of a heck spray over job they did!! I'm guessing you already know that the access panel should have been removed and sprayed separately and some throwaway screws used to plug the screw holes - then the throwaway screws removed and SS screws/washers used to screw the panel back in place.

 

As you stated, the dealer set up the project with a 3rd party - so I would go to the dealer and say "The people YOU had spray my bed forgot to remove the access panel before they did their spraying and now I can't remove the panel. I would appreciate it if you would contact them and have them fix this!" This is the dealer's responsibility to fix.

 

 

edit - spelling errors + double Reply fixed

[SkippyG4]

They definitely had it installed. It was cheaper to have them do it then to go there ourselves to have it done.

 

Called the sales guy and he was like we had Ziebart do it, call them. I said well I really don't have any proof of purchase they won't know i bought it from them. He sent me to his new truck sales manager. Waiting for a return call.

[Retired Bob]

SkippyG4, the more I thought about your problem, the more upset I became - the spray guy did an unacceptable job!! But the problem is easily fixed by the spray guy (probably had to do this fix more that once on other trucks)! He will cut out the panel with probably a knife, flip the panel over to see the screw holes and drill them out to get the spray out of the holes. Then he will sand all edges to get them smooth (and spray again where needed). Don't let him use any screws except quality SS crews with washers - any other screws will rust within 1 month or less.

 

Also, check to see that he didn't also spray over the bed drain holes, the tie-down holes and any other holes you want open for future needs. You can look at another truck like yours to see what holes are there to determine which ones you want open. If he did spray over other holes, it's not a big deal for you to cut them open with a sharp box cutter - but be careful you don't cut your fingers!!! I'd still tell the dealer what holes you want fixed.

 

Go to the dealer now - don't put this off - the sooner the better.

[SkippyG4]

here is a pic of the other truck. can get to some of the screws but there is still no way that panel is coming off without a knife....

 

[crafferty]

here is a pic of the other truck. can get to some of the screws but there is still no way that panel is coming off without a knife....

 

Dang that really sucks man. Whoever sprayed your liner did a half ass job, no questions about it. The drain holes in the bed floor should have been stuffed, the caps on the bed walls removed and the panel on the tailgate should have been removed and spray separately as well. When you speak with the sales manager address the concerns I mentioned above and at least have the tailgate sprayed again. It's going to look like hell once you cut out that panel and from the sound of it the screws too.

[crafferty]

Sorry for the double post but the picture below is what your tailgate should look like when sprayed properly.

 

[SkippyG4]

we never heard back form the "sales manager" today. we are going to stop by the dealership tomorrow with both trucks. thanks for the advise.

[Retired Bob]

SkippyG4 - just a couple more things:

 

Talk to the dealership owner - "Mr. xyz, I just bought a new truck from (salesman x) and he convinced me to let your dealership include getting Ziebart to spray my new truck's bed rather than me taking the truck there myself. He said I would save money by letting you set up the deal with Ziebart. Well, here's what happened <tell him the problems>. When I asked salesman x to contact Ziebart about correcting the problems he said I would have to deal with Ziebart myself. I explained why this was not a good idea and was then told to see your sales manager. The sales manager said .......... Never heard back from him. I had hoped that as your sales person had talked me into going thru you for the spray in bed liner that your dealership would help get the problems fixed."

 

If no success, go ahead and talk to the spray guy - if he won't work with you tell the spray guy that you plan to complain about the service you have received and that you plan to talk to the Ziebart home office about correcting the problems - call the Ziebart company and calmly and politely explain the situation and ask what can be done. Maybe the spray guy will fix the problems tho rather than have you contact the Ziebart home office and speak badly about the spray guy's franchise.

[SkippyG4]

Update - Never heard back from sales manager. Went right to the spray guy. Told him the situation and showed him one of the trucks. He could tell by the spray job it was his shop and come to find out they are known to cover the access panels like ours were done. . I guess most dealers tell them to do this because of the drop in liner screws will be too long and its easier just to spray it in. Told him how bad of an idea that is as you are really screwing over the guy that gets it done. Especially now that the tailgate has electronics (backup camera) in it

 

Long story short he said no problem to fix. We are dropping both tailgates off on Wednesday to get grown down (cringe) panel lifted and then primed and re-shot with liner separate. Will be taking pictures of the tailgate before i drop off to make sure there are no scratches into finish as well.

[Retired Bob]

If you do not already have it from the dealer, make certain to get the paper copy of the warranty from the spray guy. The product is warranted nation wide so you want proof.

 

Make sure the drain holes are open !!!

[crafferty]

Update - Never heard back from sales manager. Went right to the spray guy. Told him the situation and showed him one of the trucks. He could tell by the spray job it was his shop and come to find out they are known to cover the access panels like ours were done. . I guess most dealers tell them to do this because of the drop in liner screws will be too long and its easier just to spray it in. Told him how bad of an idea that is as you are really screwing over the guy that gets it done. Especially now that the tailgate has electronics (backup camera) in it

 

Long story short he said no problem to fix. We are dropping both tailgates off on Wednesday to get grown down (cringe) panel lifted and then primed and re-shot with liner separate. Will be taking pictures of the tailgate before i drop off to make sure there are no scratches into finish as well.

Post some pictures when you get them back.

[ember1205]

Post some pictures when you get them back.

 

+1

 

That's a terrible install job and it concerns me that the spray shop owner knew right away that it was his shop that did the work. What do the drop-in liner screws have to do with spraying over and sealing the access panel? That makes absolutely ZERO sense to me at all.

 

FWIW: I opted for the drop-in liner on my truck. It wasn't until about a week later that I realized that the screws that hold the liner in were DRILLED into my bed. I was beyond pi$$ed and went right back to the dealer about it. 20 years and a half dozen trucks and I have NEVER had to drill holes into the sheet metal to install a liner. Had I known, I would have NEVER approved that install.

 

They pulled the drop-in and had a Line-X installed for me to make me happy and to seal the holes they put in the metal. I talked with the Line-X installer a couple of times ahead of the intsall and I was quite comfortable that he knew what he was doing. The install came out excellent, national lifetime warranty, and the access panel was removed and sprayed separately as it should have been.

[Retired Bob]

I believe a lot of the Chevy dealers are throwing drop-in liners in the Silverado trucks (even the trucks on the lot have liners locally) and the liners are such bad fit that multiple holes are drilled and screwed to try to make the liner fit - AND the drop-ins hold water just like a swimming pool !

 

Ask the spray company to use SS screws/washers when they put the access panel back after spraying it. If not, at lease look at the screws after 1 month to make sure they are not rusting - if they are, the spray company can swap the rusting screws for SS screws at that time.