Bugwall Installation instructions and tips
So your new Bug Wall has come in the mail. Well, that means it’s time to learn how to install your RV bug screen, and we’re here to help. To ensure this process goes as smoothly as possible, the first step of any Bug Wall installation is to take a look at this article. While this installation won’t be too difficult, you should still be sure to follow the instructions closely. With our help, this can be a low-stress endeavor! After all, the unofficial first step of this installation is to crack open a drink. Cheers to a bug-free van!
Step 1 - Coozie load
Load your fancy new Bugwall coozie that was included in your package. Toss in your favorite beverage, take a few sips and imagine how much cooler your van is about to be. That cool bug free breeze just brushing along your skin. Your non-bug bitten skin that is. It will be glorious. Now that we are in the right mindset lets move on to step 2.
2- Watch the install video
Click on the videos at the bottom of this RV insect screen installation guide. Our instructions are also written out below. Please read through these instructions and watch the videos for the best overall guide to installing your insect screen. If your package came with any additional or supplemental instructions those will be done in addition to these written instructions and video. Currently all of our van screens ship with a roll of double sided tape. This is not featured in the video but be sure to install it as shown below.
3- Positioning
TIME TRAVEL- Lets help our future self out for a few seconds- Take a marker and mark the seal with a mark on your van so you can re-install the seal back to the same place later on in the process. Its a big help if you can install the seal back in the same position left to right. Your future self will be stoked you did this!
-You can remove the seal from across the top of your door opening. You will want to clean the flange with some alcohol or just wipe it down really good with water to get as much of the loos dirt off as possible. This will help the tape stick.
-Next install the double sided tape across the top and around both corners. This is not shown in the current video as it has been added for our V2 screens. An updated video is coming soon. The tape is long enough to start and end just below both corners. The tape ideally will be folded so that the tape is 1/2 on the front of the flange and half on the back of the flange.
-After the tape is on the flange you can pull off the red cover so the exposed side of the tape is now sticky.
-You can now hold up your screen and position it in your doorway. You can do this similar to the video but the addition of the tape will help greatly with this step. You can press the screen across the tape and it will hold it pretty good for you.
IMPORTANT- When positioning your screen make sure to check the left and right position AND the length. You will especially want to make sure the left zipper on a sliding door screen will not interfere with the weather seal along the left side. TIP- At the very top it will be out of center to the right- The left edge of the weather seal "bumps out" so you want your screen centered between the bump out shape and the right edge of the door. If you center it at the very top of the opening it may interfere with that bump out.
LENGTH TIP- When the screen is hanging from the tape check your length. You will want to be about 1/2" to 3/4" LONG at this point. When you install the clips and re-install the seal it will cause the screen to raise up when the black material across the top wraps around the flange. To get a better idea of the finished height wrap the black material around the flange with your hands. Simulating installing the small clips and the weather seal.
LENGTH TIP 2- For magnet screens its best for the door to finish just scraping the floor. This allows for the best magnetic operation of your van screen.
Once your side to side and length are close to position you can move onto step 3 clip install
4- TOP Clips install
The position of your bug screen looks good side to side and length now let us move forward.
You will be using the "thick" clips that came with your screen across the top. They will pinch over the fabric and the tape.
SPRINTER REAR SCREENS ONLY- Do not use clips on Sprinter rear screens across the top. The tape and seal will hold the screen you will have additional tips for this in your package. All other screens install as below.
IMPORTANT- We are only going to install a few and then check the length- These are difficult to remove once installed so lets not go crazy til we check the length. You can use a small hammer or mallet to install the clips.
Install one in the center and one towards each side- Your screen should still be slightly long at this point- The weather seal and working down the sides will still lift the screen about another 1/4" or so.
If your length looks good you can install a clip about every 6-8" across the top.
THE CORNERS- These can be a little tricky but we will get ya through it. This is usually a good stopping point- take a sip from that coozie, admire how far we have come.
CORNER TIPS-
Tip 1- Make some room- You will want to use your fingers and push the black material up behind the corners. Shortly we are going to be re-installing the weather seal and if the fabric is too taunt the seal will not push back on up into the corners fully. We will want to get that seal fully up into the corners so we need to make some room. Get that fabric wrapped around the flange with room on the backside.
Tip 2- Install a clip just below the corner and right in the turn- The metal, tape and fabric make for a thick area here. You may need to use a small hammer to tap the clips in this area.
LENGTH CHECK- Now that we are across the top and around the coners check your length. You should be fairly close to your finished height. Maybe a touch long at this point is ok as when you go down the side you can adjust to hit it right on.
5-TOP SEAL
Now you can re-install the seal across the top this is where the time traveling in the positioning step pays off. Go ahead..take a sip and cheers to your past self for making that reference mark on where to re-install this seal. By making that mark and you knowing exactly where to position that weather seal you now saved enough time for a ice cold sip. Refreshing.
THE PINCH- IMPORTANT- Before reinstalling the seal you must "pinch" it back shut. These seals have some metal inside of them to help hold their shape and grip. You want to pinch the seal back shut so it will have as much grip as possible once pushed on. This is shown in the video and is very important.
Using your reference mark your past self made you can reinstall your pinched shut seal across the top and around the corners. It should be snug going on.
LENGTH CHECK- Hows that length looking?
6- Work the sides
Lets work down the sides. You will wrap the fabric around the flang and install a clip. Use the clips that best fits the thickness of the metal.
The tricky areas- The left edge will have the "bump out" this area will require some finese. We find it easier to cut in some releif cuts in the material to help go around this area.
TIP- Keep an eye on the zipper so that it is coming down straight. If your working one edge you can find yourself getting a little cooked when working your sliding door screen down the edge. Same with our rear RV screens. Just step back every now and then. Take a sip and make sure your coming down the sides straight.
You can re-install the seal as you go down the sides.
IMPORTANT- TENSION- If you are installing a magnetic closing screen you will want to keep an eye on the tension. Too much side to side tension will cause the magnet strip to not operate correctly. We can adjust some at the end but do not install the screen super tight. This is less important with zipper screens.
Promaster sliding doors note- Your forward edge will have a plastic piece over the seal towards the bottom of the door. If you can remove that piece it is best but you will want to leave extra slack in the material for when you re-install. You can also just use the plastic piece to retain and hold the screen. Just loosen the 2 screws -tuck the screen behind the plastic and re-tighten the screws.
Transit Steps- The Transits will have a plastic step at the bottom that can make for a pain removing and reinstalling the seal. This is shown in the video. If you can easily remove the step that is recommended. If your step is blocked in just follow along with the video for this area.
Travatos- You will have a couple bars included in your package and instructions for install.
7- Trim and finish
DO NOT shut the sliding door witht he excess material without trimming. There is a small chance it could get caught. If you are not confident in your placement you can trim and leave some and then trim close later. But if the door looks good and is operating good you can go ahead and trim and finish the door.
Once you have the seal installed check the tension. Is everything operating as it should. Looking straight?
Once your satasfied you can start trimming off the excess material. We recommend sissors but some will choose a razor for a super tight trim. Sissors are less dangerous and also less likely to scratch your beautiful van. You can follow the video showing the trimming process.
8- RELOAD AND ENJOY
Reload that coozie, jump in the van out of the bug zone and into the bug-free zone. Relax and enjoy all that air flow.
Questions or problems?
If you have a question or a install problem please send us a note or give us a call. We are here to help.
Bugwall Video Instructions
