BM2BZ

just want to know how many of you have put the spoilers on yourself.
i've received the trunk spoiler yesterday and as i've mentioned before in the other threads, i'm not a handyman and have never put on any kits on any of my cars before. so this is the very first time and could be a challenge for me to install a spoiler myself even it looks like a 5-10 minutes job. the box came with a q-tip, primer adhesion promoter and alcohol pad. the instruction booklet didn't mention anything about them, just peel off, stick on. so what are they exactly for? is the alcohol pad just to clean the area where the spoiler sits? if so, will the alcohol damage the paint of the car? if anyone has done it before, your help is much appreciated. thank you very much in advance !

ImInPA

Just have your dealer install it. The alcohol will not harm your paint and is used often in detailing to strip the polish and fillers out during polishing/correction. It will certainly look odd if you do not get it aligned correctly and will be very visible. If I were you, this would not be my first attempt at doing this type of thing.

BM2BZ

i was thinking about have it installed by some professional but by looking at the instruction, it seems extremely easy. did you do yours on your own?

enzo thecat

I just removed my factory spoiler and put on a Carbon Fiber one (just before Christmas). The day after, I installed one on my brothers CLS

The installation was a little bit of a pain. If you dont get it centered perfectly, you will have to reposition. Thats when things get hairy, because some of the tapes adheres to the car and some stays on the wing. Reapplying the tape on the wing becomes impossible because it stretches and completely distorts. So you have to remove all tape and put new on. The tape is available at any auto supply store though and not expensive. But I am also a perfectionist and wanted them centered exactly to the mm.

PM me if you want detailed information and I'll give you my phone number. You can call me for help.

e

BM2BZ

thanks for your offer, enzo ! pm sent .

K-A

Yeah it's really easy. I'm terribly not handy and I did it with my 2010 E. The key is to make sure you clean it (I used water, no soap, no alcohol and it stuck well, although I'd recommend maybe something stronger). You just have to be VERY careful about the positioning. Use two people if you can, however, I did it all myself. I found that the key is in how long and hard you press it. If you don't press it enough, it may start popping up after some time. Literally PRESS it, and practically hold each individual section for minutes while pressing (my arms were sore afterward, but I didn't want to deal with the paranoia later).

BM2BZ

i've asked the place where i bought the spoiler from and here is what they sent me: http://www.double-to.com/BC.MOTO/Typ...20install.html

i think it's very easy as you said but i'm also a perfectionist like enzo. so my game plan is have my wife do it together with me and if anything goes wrong, i have someone to blame .

by the way, he said i don't have to use the primer adhesion promoter if i don't want to. i guess if you didn't use anything else other than the 3m double-sided tape and still going strong. why would i need to bother, right?

BM2BZ

i've done it...finally. but want to know is it me or everybody is the same. after everything is finished, i've noticed there is a small gap between the spoiler and top of the trunk, not the end where the star sits. i guess the gap is from the thickness of the 3m tape. but will it be ok during rains and car washes ? please advise. thanks ! btw, love the look .

K-A

Mine wasn't a perfect fit as well. When it rained or I washed the car, I noticed water going "through" the spoiler in some areas, so I was always paranoid that at some point it'd come off. A year into it (on my old 2010) no problems, though.

bigigg

Test fit it, center it, mark each end with some tape.. and there you go..I would also make sure you install in warm temps.. the 3m tape sticks better. ITS VERY EASY

BM2BZ

ok, it's kind of a sigh of relief .

yup, the installation is easy but now my concern is the gap. glad to hear ka had the same thing for over a year and still ok.

PHML

I got the same gap...like 0.5mm thin...its the 3M tape. Actually, I see it beneficial for the 3M to create a seal so that water/rain doesn't get trapped between the trunk and the spoiler.

Invain15

Very easy to do my friend. I've done it on a few cars so far. Just make sure you go to home depot or lowes and get the good quality extra strength 3m. I've had bad luck with the ones that are shipped to me. Make sure you clean the area of the car really well. Measure first, mark of with tape, and viola you should be fine.

BM2BZ

good point. hard to believe that little piece could make the car looks that much better.

i did exactly like what you said except getting the tape myself from lowes as the spoiler came in painted w/the tapes.

DoubleA

Its very easy. I do mine on all my cars. just lining it up can an issue so maybe use a friend.

Pakeboy

U can do it...

thomasshawn

where are most people getting the roof spoilers from?

BM2BZ

i did ask a friend, in fact two .

i did it last week .


a sponsor from this forum jbspeed or ebay.

thomasshawn

great. saw jbspeed but was just making sure before I ordered.
are most people using the 3M tape that comes with it or are you getting the heavy duty stuff from lowes or an auto parts place?

BM2BZ

based on most of the members, i don't think you need anything else.

thomasshawn

awesome thanks.

Busta Riles

I've installed lots of trunk lip spoilers. The easiest ones are the ones that have a cutout for the 3rd brake light or star emblem, as you have a nice guide to work with, if you're doing it yourself.

I just installed my new one last week (EBay) and the quality is much better than ones i've seen in the past.

If doing it yourself, use 4 pieces of 3M tape. 2 pieces along the top of the spoiler, and 2 along the bottom, like this....

______________ ______________
______________ ______________

Where you're leaving the gap in the middle, pull the adhesive cover back a little bit on each of the 4 pieces and attach little tabs (pieces of clear packing tape is what i use) to each one that will stick out from underneath the spoiler when you set it on the trunk.

Now you can line up the spoiler on the trunk. When you have it in the spot that you want, put a small amount of pressure on it as you pull on one of the tabs to expose the tape onto the trunk. That slippery red plastic that covers the tape is quite strong and won't break as long as you don't press too hard when you're trying to pull it off.

I like to do the 2 lower ones first & then the upper ones, but do whatever works for you. Make sure once you remove all 4 strips that you apply a bunch of pressure to all areas of the spoiler, so it sticks well.

TIPS:

- Make sure the trunk & spoiler are both CLEAN before install.

- I never use the tape that comes with the spoiler. Go buy a roll of heavy duty 3M tape and use it instead. it's generally stickier than anything else. If you live in a crappy climate & order your spoiler in the winter, the tape that comes in the box has probably been frozen & loses adhesion even once it thaws.

- Don't wash your car for at least a day after you put on the spoiler.

I hope this helps.

thomasshawn

Reliable source for roof spoiler? I ordered from jbspeed and he contacted me to say he wasn't sure he could match the arctic white.

So if anybody has experience with another source please let me know

BM2BZ

i wish this post was here before my installation. very helpful .

shoot me a pm, buddy.

enzo thecat

I have a brand new arctic white Mercedes Benz OEM spoiler in bubble wrap. I took it off as soon as I bought my car in and swapped to a carbon fiber one. Make me an offer.