Film trimming device and method

Abstract

Provided are devices and methods of applying a film (120) to a first panel of a vehicle wherein the first panel is connected to a second panel of the vehicle by a joint area containing a ditch portion (52) that is recessed relative to the first panel. The method includes the steps of placing into the ditch portion (52) an elongated jig (100) that comprises a shim (102) extending continuously along the length of the ditch portion (52), the shim (102) protruding above a height of the first panel, applying the film (120) to the first and second panels such that the film (120) extends over the elongated jig (100), and then using a tool (122) to apply pressure against the film (120) and toward a cutting edge of the shim (102) along the length of the shim (102) to trim the film (120) along a peripheral edge. The elongated jig (100) can then be removed from the ditch portion (52), and the peripheral edge of the film (120) adhered to the ditch portion (52).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.