Tie Down Plugs are covered by bed liner

Norcal Flyfisherman · May 19, 2015

I ordered some retractable tie downs to go in the bed of my 2014 Silverado. The dealer sprayed the bed liner over the plastic plugs, do I just have to cut around the plug to remove them? Will a utility knife do the trick?

Thanks in advance.

Rawyzf · May 19, 2015

I ordered some retractable tie downs to go in the bed of my 2014 Silverado. The dealer sprayed the bed liner over the plastic plugs, do I just have to cut around the plug to remove them? Will a utility knife do the trick?

Thanks in advance.

They did the exact same to mine.

I took a quick "stab" at cutting them out and stopped in fear of losing a finger or stabbing myself. I told the dealer that next time I am in, they can cut them out.

Norcal Flyfisherman · May 20, 2015

Thanks! I would do the same thing, but the dealer that I bought from is 600 miles away. Guess I'll try my bright utility knife idea and hope for the best

chebby guy · May 20, 2015

find the center of the pocket, drill a hole, and use a router. that's how I did mine.

morrislee · May 20, 2015

Thanks! I would do the same thing, but the dealer that I bought from is 600 miles away. Guess I'll try my bright utility knife idea and hope for the best

Doesnt have to be the original dealer, but all you have to do is use an xacto knife , cut around the border of the grommet/plastic cap.

Here is a perfect video showing how

07Softail · May 20, 2015

LOL... If I hadn't of popped mine out my Line-X sprayer would have covered them up too.

RT

crafferty · May 20, 2015

What bed liner was sprayed in your truck? If it's Line-X take it to your local shop, they'll cut and repair the Line-X so it looks right. Sounds like a lazy shop sprayed your bed. Are the screws in your tailgate covered as well?

DanY · May 21, 2015

What bed liner was sprayed in your truck? If it's Line-X take it to your local shop, they'll cut and repair the Line-X so it looks right. Sounds like a lazy shop sprayed your bed. Are the screws in your tailgate covered as well?

Also check to see if they sprayed over the tailgate access panel. If so then definitely make the dealer have the installer fix this the right way and not just cut open the panel and screw heads. I would have been really pissed if I had this problem when I went to install the Pop&Lock power tailgate lock.

I bought my truck off the lot and it had the GM factory spray in liner. I like it. Same texture as the Line-X on my old truck but definitely not as thick as Line-X.

Norcal Flyfisherman · May 21, 2015

Thanks everyone. Not sure what brand liner it is, but I don't think it's Line-X. That video helps a lot, I'll try it this weekend.

Rawyzf · May 21, 2015

Also check to see if they sprayed over the tailgate access panel. If so then definitely make the dealer have the installer fix this the right way and not just cut open the panel and screw heads. I would have been really pissed if I had this problem when I went to install the Pop&Lock power tailgate lock.

I bought my truck off the lot and it had the GM factory spray in liner. I like it. Same texture as the Line-X on my old truck but definitely not as thick as Line-X.

Ok, what is a tailgate access panel? Sorry for the stupid question, lol, but I really don't know.

crafferty · May 21, 2015

Ok, what is a tailgate access panel? Sorry for the stupid question, lol, but I really don't know.

On your tailgate there is a access panel that runs about 3/4 the width of your tailgate. It has about 8 or 9 screws that hold it in place. You remove the panel to access the internals on the tailgate.

DanY · May 21, 2015

Ok, what is a tailgate access panel? Sorry for the stupid question, lol, but I really don't know.

The tailgate has a panel maybe 6-8" high and almost full width that allows your to access the latch and handle from the inside. It is secured by 8 torx head flat head screws.

The only reason I needed in there was to install the actuator that unlocks the tailgate when you unlock the truck doors.

Some people have had the bedliner installers spray right over it. This covers the panel seam and all the screw heads. The only way to get it open is to cut along the panel seam and try to dig out the screw heads from the liner material. Very difficult with a harder liner material like Line-X.

IlliniST · May 22, 2015

Doesnt have to be the original dealer, but all you have to do is use an xacto knife , cut around the border of the grommet/plastic cap.

Here is a perfect video showing how

I did this exactly. Works fine, just sucks that I had to do it. I want to put the electric tailgate lock on, and they've covered the inspection plate as well. I don't want to cut that one out.

Norcal Flyfisherman · May 22, 2015

I did this exactly. Works fine, just sucks that I had to do it. I want to put the electric tailgate lock on, and they've covered the inspection plate as well. I don't want to cut that one out.

Did you cover up the holes with tie down rings? Just wondering if there was bare metal showing between the bed liner and tie down.