E-Class (W212) 2010 - 2016: E 350, E 550

Removing Shark Fin on 2012 E350

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Old 08-22-2018, 03:53 PM
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e350 2012
Removing Shark Fin on 2012 E350

Hello,

I want to wrap my roof black, and in the process of removing the shark fin, I got stock like many other people here.

The shark fin on my car looks a bit different than the other ones I've seen. Please see attached pictures.

Are the three pins detachable? If so, do i only need to push in the one side and the whole pin will get removed?
And do I actually need to remove the pins so I can lift the fin just a bit?
I feel like i can play around with the two metal brackets on the front and back sides of the whole thing.
Also, the screw is non removable since it's too large to fit between the pins.
What should I do?

Last edited by Anthony199; 08-22-2018 at 05:32 PM.
Old 08-22-2018, 06:28 PM
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95% sure that the fin cover itself is held on with urethane. You'll have to slowly and gently pry off the old urethane adhesive, unscrew the screw thing and pull off the plugs. Looks like you'll need one of those skinny extension tools to unscrew. You'll also have to reapply the urethane to make the fin cover stay put. Not totally sure if you can use tape, I'd be concerned about the fin cover just flying off one day.
Old 08-22-2018, 06:43 PM
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Yeah, I’m not sure that the torx in your photo is necessary to pull the cover. Konigstiger would know. I think you protect the roof and use a wire to literally cut through the adhesive. Please don’t do this, however until you get more information.
Old 08-22-2018, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by LemonSqueezy
95% sure that the fin cover itself is held on with urethane. You'll have to slowly and gently pry off the old urethane adhesive, unscrew the screw thing and pull off the plugs. Looks like you'll need one of those skinny extension tools to unscrew. You'll also have to reapply the urethane to make the fin cover stay put. Not totally sure if you can use tape, I'd be concerned about the fin cover just flying off one day.
Im actually pretty sure too. The reasons are for better waterproofing, and if it was glued on, it would habe been easily removable from the bottom.
Also, I do have a thin T20 screwdriver that fits right in, but the problem is when I unscrew the bolt, the bolt head starts pushing on the pins, and the bold heald itself is actually wodwi than the distance between the pins. By the way, I saw a used replacement piece on eBay which seemed to have an uneven surface from where it touches with the roof, so I assumed it wasn't removed easily (probably they had to cut the urethane too). Anyways, I'm starting to think i should wrap the roof while keep the fin on. I can maybe try to use on sheet for the roof and the fin at once, or just cut an opening for the fin and wrap it after I'm done with the roof. What do you think?
Old 08-22-2018, 07:18 PM
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Originally Posted by KEY08
Yeah, I’m not sure that the torx in your photo is necessary to pull the cover. Konigstiger would know. I think you protect the roof and use a wire to literally cut through the adhesive. Please don’t do this, however until you get more information.
If there is some adhesive, i definitely won't cut it. I will have difficulties trying to reseal it back. How can I contact Konigstiger about this? And yes you're right the screw doesnt loosen the fin, it looses the inner parts off the plastic exterior trim.
Old 08-22-2018, 07:31 PM
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You can just private msg him, he has a lot of info. Family of mine has a 13 e350, had roof wrapped with a guy I know out of a body shop. They have the tools to properly take off the fin, unscrew the bolt, and has urethane to reapply the fin cover. It it not required to take off the fin to wrap your roof. You can just poke a hole on the wrap, pull the wrap down the fin, and work your heat gun around it.
Old 08-22-2018, 07:36 PM
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removing the shark fin though allows you to wrap the fin itself a lot easier too, if you were planning on doing that



Old 08-22-2018, 07:38 PM
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I would treat the fin like a door handle and wrap it separately even if left attached to the roof.
Old 08-22-2018, 11:24 PM
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So i decided to wrap the roof without the fin and i couldn't wait.. here are the final pics:

​​​​​​

Edit: if anyone was wondering, i ised VviVid wrap for the roof.
Other mods, headlights and taillights tint from vvivid too, halo dipped front grill in satin, black hood emblem from ebay, autoflex nighthawk pearls on rims, 35% front 20% rear tint.

Last edited by Anthony199; 08-22-2018 at 11:58 PM.
Old 08-23-2018, 09:52 AM
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That Looks good 👍 Vvivid is excellent film. I used 3M for all of my exterior trim and grille but I think I would go with Vvivid for panels.

Last edited by Mud; 08-23-2018 at 09:56 AM.
Old 08-23-2018, 09:53 AM
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That looks good 👍 Vvivid is excellent film. I used 3M for all of my exterior trim and grille but I would also use Vvivid for panels. I did use it for my taillight film.

Sorry for double post! Couldn't delete the first one.


Last edited by Mud; 08-23-2018 at 10:00 AM.
Old 08-23-2018, 10:11 AM
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Looks good to me 👍
Old 08-23-2018, 10:13 AM
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Thanks everyone!
Old 08-24-2018, 03:44 PM
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So i read through the thread but couldnt find on how to remove it.... well specifically those 3 (if i remember correctly) wires that attached to the fin....
so .. any help with it?
i previously wrapped my roof by making a hole where apprx. Fin location was amd worked my way around it... still holding up. But soon i want to re wrap it. And those wires stopped me from turning that in intp a perfect job.
Old 08-24-2018, 07:59 PM
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Originally Posted by belarus27
So i read through the thread but couldnt find on how to remove it.... well specifically those 3 (if i remember correctly) wires that attached to the fin....
so .. any help with it?
i previously wrapped my roof by making a hole where apprx. Fin location was amd worked my way around it... still holding up. But soon i want to re wrap it. And those wires stopped me from turning that in intp a perfect job.
To be honest that's what i did too, made a hole and worked my way around it. I don't have the tools nor the skill to cut the adhesive between the fin and the roof, and to glue it back in place. I'm think that ethe pins are removable (if you have the same ones as nice), but the fin is definitely glued to the roof. As it was mentioned on this thread earlier, a professional shop can remove it for you.

Last edited by Anthony199; 08-24-2018 at 11:10 PM.
Old 08-24-2018, 10:28 PM
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those fakra connectors have a button to remove them. technique is to depress and push connector down before pulling off

Removing Shark Fin on 2012 E350-ppzxatg.jpg
Old 08-24-2018, 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted by nhoj_yelbom
those fakra connectors have a button to remove them. technique is to depress and push connector down before pulling off

Actually when i push the clip i cant feel that i can release the pin. What do you mean "to depress and push connector down before pulling off"? Dont I just need to push the retaining clip on the side and pull?
Old 08-24-2018, 11:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Anthony199
Actually when i push the clip i cant feel that i can release the pin. What do you mean "to depress and push connector down before pulling off"? Dont I just need to push the retaining clip on the side and pull?
you can, but that technique makes sure the clip is fully disengaged by pushing it down first. if you ever try to remove one that is being stubborn that will solve it
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