ctlaw74

Hey Everybody,
Just mounted my rear window spoiler (ebay special) on Sunday. Replaced the crappy tape it came with with brand new 3m moulding adhesive tape from the auto store. Put plenty of it on. Seemed to go on great. However I looked at the darn thing today and the ends seem to be peeling up. The thing is on there good for the most part however with both ends lifting I think the thing will eventually come off.
It has been crazy weather here in CT the past couple of days. Was 55-60 degrees when I put it on, (also heated the glass and spoiler with a heat gun during application) and then 17 degrees yesterday and 45 degrees today.

I am leaning towards getting a trunk spoiler this spring M5 or RS6 and using the stick on method but now I am leary because of this current lifting issue. The car did have ice and snow on the spoiler from the storm yesterday, however I don't think this should've really caused this problem, or the rest of you guys would've complained about it already.

Has anybody had problems or had to redo their spoilers?

Thanks in advance
Matt

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/98056/hind.jpg">

SNAFU 4

Many car washes, lots of ice and snow and many high speed runs.
Did you prep the area with rubbing alcohol first? Is it placed just right top/bottom, left/right?

AudiDen aka 2Turbos

out of the 3M tape and to go with the urethane instead because he had seen a few lip spoilers come loose that were using 3M tape. Having said that, it's probably the bigger RS6 spoiler that has this issue and not the M3 or M5 spoilers.

In addition, I don't have ANY gap between the spoiler and my trunk since I don't have the thickness of the 3M tape to deal with.

ctlaw74

The area was cleaned thoroughly with 3m adhesive remover (yes I let it dry prior to installation).
The spoiler does have an inherent curvature to it, other than that it is pretty much flat. I'm thinking that the glass doesn't hold the thing down as well as a painted trunk lid.

What do you mean by
"go with the urethane instead"
Is it a different type of tape?
Thanks for the replies

BlkSnake

If you don't prep it really well. Even the slight wax can help make it come right off.

However, we prepped my buddy's Mustang before putting his Saleen side skirts on, but even then in about 3 weeks or so the thing peeled right off.

trichards

brutal cold and crappy snow conditions for 2 years, no prob

DWP

ADhesive is the way to go - no problems with my superheavy LLtek spoiler.

Boston Driver

ebay spoilers are not properly pre-bent, straight, and require some bending to fit the curve of the trunk (or roof).

I have had NO issues with my OEM BMW M5 spoiler because it is already curved, and required NO bending to fit the back of the 2.7T. Others with replica spoilers have had no issues with ends coming up, but it seems to be hit or miss.

What did you do to prep the surface? Did you remove all wax, etc. before installing? I am assuming that you used the 3M auto adhesive (gray color tape with red backing?).

I am going with the RS6 spoiler for my 4.2, but I am going with OEM and having it bolted onto the trunk like it is from the facotry. Yeah, it requires some drilling, but hey, the spoiler will stay with the car anyway.

For smaller spoilers (like the M5) the tape should be enough.

I have never had to remove/remount a spoiler...but it would be a PITA I'm sure. Getting that thing off will take some patience. I would recommend a heat gun and some fishing line to get it off the car, then copious amounts of goo gone to remove any remaining adhesive.

Good luck!!!

AlexiD12

I prepped the area well with rubbing alchohol, as the car had just been detailed and there was alot of wax on it. I used the blue painters masking tape to secure the spoiler once it was installed and left is on for a couple of days. In the end, about 3 inches on the right side lifted slightly. I was concerned at first but the rest is on so good, I know it isnt going anywhere. The lifting is minimal, perhaps 1-2mm. If it were to ever progress, I would take it off and remount with new tape.

The tape that came with mine was 3M automotive tape. You only get 1 shot with it when sticking, its like a magnet it sticks so hard.

AudiDen aka 2Turbos

the same type of adhesive they use for your windshield. That baby is NEVER coming off. And I like the fact that it doesn't leave any gaps between the spoiler and the trunk.
I've been holding out on pics till the spring when I get my summer wheels, but I'll try to take some pictures of the finished product this week for you.

BTW, I bought my RS6 spoiler for $189 unpainted online, and got the local body shop to paint match it to my car. The fit is perfect. Exactly like OEM RS6. Even compared it side by side. If you buy one online, I wouldn't trust the paint job from anyone except local shops and the dealer themselves, especially if you have a pearl paint like mine.