Installed Chrome Hood Fins
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 3
From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by cc5731478
May be traveling to view those CO Rocky Mtns up in Denver.
Be great if you can join.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2004 RX330, 2008 Scion xB, 2001 Honda Insight Hybrid, 2010 Toyot Prius v ATP
The whole shebang!
Okay, I did it - I broke down and got the fins, and I installed them. Here's the whole process, as best as I can present it to you guys. First, here's the box that came from Park Place;
The box inside was from Schatz, which if I'm not mistaken is German for "treasure," or something similar.
Inside were six numbered fins, and a set of fairly clear instructions;
The fins lined up and all looked pretty much the same, other than the numbering. (This is not the case!)
Pre-fins;
Excess wax removal was via some dish soap water, followed by a denatured alchohol wipe to ensure no residue on the fins.
Pre-fitting showed I was going in the right direction with the numbers - start at the outside fender on the passenger side and work your way from 1 to 6. Just for kicks, I swapped a fin and found that on each side, the fins are three very slightly different lengths. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER SO AS NOT TO PUT THE WRONG FIN IN THE WRONG PLACE!
Each fin has two piece of 3M adhesive, one down each side of the fin, covered with a protective paper that is in a very small area. Forceps or tweezers (carefully!) helped out. In th second picture, it's hard to see the uncovered tape, but I think you can get the idea. (I hope!) Note the gloves to avoid damaging or marking the plastichrome.
You need to moisten the fin (I used a different part of the sponge), then press it in to place. I aligned the front tip of the cover with the original fin and keeping some pressure on that lowered the rear of the fin into place, which seemed to work well! Make sure you're working with temperatures of at least 21C (about 70F, no problem here in Arizona right now!) as the moisture needs to evaporate after the fins have been attached. They said wait three hours for that to happen. That's about ten minutes in Arizona Summer time.
And done! Whee!
I hope you guys enjoyed this and it helps give you an idea of what's involved!
STP
The box inside was from Schatz, which if I'm not mistaken is German for "treasure," or something similar.
Inside were six numbered fins, and a set of fairly clear instructions;
The fins lined up and all looked pretty much the same, other than the numbering. (This is not the case!)
Pre-fins;
Excess wax removal was via some dish soap water, followed by a denatured alchohol wipe to ensure no residue on the fins.
Pre-fitting showed I was going in the right direction with the numbers - start at the outside fender on the passenger side and work your way from 1 to 6. Just for kicks, I swapped a fin and found that on each side, the fins are three very slightly different lengths. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER SO AS NOT TO PUT THE WRONG FIN IN THE WRONG PLACE!
Each fin has two piece of 3M adhesive, one down each side of the fin, covered with a protective paper that is in a very small area. Forceps or tweezers (carefully!) helped out. In th second picture, it's hard to see the uncovered tape, but I think you can get the idea. (I hope!) Note the gloves to avoid damaging or marking the plastichrome.
You need to moisten the fin (I used a different part of the sponge), then press it in to place. I aligned the front tip of the cover with the original fin and keeping some pressure on that lowered the rear of the fin into place, which seemed to work well! Make sure you're working with temperatures of at least 21C (about 70F, no problem here in Arizona right now!) as the moisture needs to evaporate after the fins have been attached. They said wait three hours for that to happen. That's about ten minutes in Arizona Summer time.
And done! Whee!
I hope you guys enjoyed this and it helps give you an idea of what's involved!
STP
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,046
Likes: 1
From: Colorado Rocky Mtns.
'06 A6 & '08 GL550
Wicked cool Steve!
Thanks for taking the time to document all of the steps. Absolutely blown away by the detail! Looking forward to seeing them live and in person, along with Newbie's in Vegas.
Thanks for taking the time to document all of the steps. Absolutely blown away by the detail! Looking forward to seeing them live and in person, along with Newbie's in Vegas.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 800
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
2014 GL 450
Great job with the instructions, Steve. Yup, super easy install...much easier than most of the chrome I've installed on my Harley (remove seat, disconnect battery & remove gas tank for most anything you install on a Harley).
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Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas, NV
GL450 (Alabaster White/Black Interior)
STP,
Very impressive detailed instructions. Reminds me of L8Apex's instructions on how to install the chrome/stainless bumper guard. This site is really incredibly helpful.
Thanks..............
Very impressive detailed instructions. Reminds me of L8Apex's instructions on how to install the chrome/stainless bumper guard. This site is really incredibly helpful.
Thanks..............
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
'13 Q7, '13 A6
I received the same package as well this week from park place. I'll post some pics of my wife's GL after we return from San Diego next week. Most impressive install instructions from STP.
Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: LAS VEGAS
ML500
OMG, you guys really like the "bling". $200 for plastic chrome? You got to be kidding, I can get me a new winch for that much.
I thought they were an entire unit including the vents. I need to get into this "bling" business.
I really want the chrome fog lights cover. I'll try to get them from the dealer today.
I thought they were an entire unit including the vents. I need to get into this "bling" business.
I really want the chrome fog lights cover. I'll try to get them from the dealer today.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: MA
13 SL550, 14 E63 Wagon, 15 S550, 11 M3, 08 F430 Spider, 12 ML350
OMG, you guys really like the "bling". $200 for plastic chrome? You got to be kidding, I can get me a new winch for that much.
I thought they were an entire unit including the vents. I need to get into this "bling" business.
I really want the chrome fog lights cover. I'll try to get them from the dealer today.
I thought they were an entire unit including the vents. I need to get into this "bling" business.
I really want the chrome fog lights cover. I'll try to get them from the dealer today.
= $$$$$$$$$$
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 3
From: LA LA Land
'07 GL 450, '02 S 80 T6
Originally Posted by Nevada Jack
The animation king...LOL
Where does he find this stuff?
Where does he find this stuff?
And, when does he find time to find this stuff?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: MA
13 SL550, 14 E63 Wagon, 15 S550, 11 M3, 08 F430 Spider, 12 ML350
How about these for some custom center wheel caps??
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 379
Likes: 0
From: MA
13 SL550, 14 E63 Wagon, 15 S550, 11 M3, 08 F430 Spider, 12 ML350
Jack looks good any way we look at him
