Two-Sided tape for Aero parts
 

I have the PU CS-Style Side Skirts from Jon Motoring, and I don't like the way they attach to the car. They are wavy, drooping away between each screw. I also don't like the screws in general, fearing rust.

I want to take them off, clean and cover the screw holes, and put them back on with the two-sided tape and the two bolts on the front and rear which are accessible through the wheel wells.

I have no experience with these kinds of products, so I have no idea what's best for this application. I would guess 3M VHB tape, but which kind? I would think thinnest would be best. A lot of the load will be supported by the two bolts, so they won't be the main source of support.

Also, once applied, will they be able to be removed and not be trashed if needed? Would it come off with cleaner/solvents, or will they basically be a part of the skirts once applied?

Thanks in advance!

Oh also, it will need to be able to stay stable and reliable in high temps, since it's an outside car in south Florida.

Dont use tape. that will produce a visible gap between your cars body and the PU side piece. If you are really annoyed by the droop, get a piece of aluminum or something that you can place between the self tapping screws and the PU side skirt. This will help distribute the force of the screws more evenly, eliminating the droops.

I only get droops when the car has been out in the sun for a while and the PU softens. Hardly noticeable unless you took a picture of it at just the right angle. After the temperatures cool, it goes back to flat.

I was hoping maybe there was a thin enough tape for it to be virtually flush.

Possibly! Go take a look when you're at the hardware store and see what you can find.

3M makes an outdoor mounting tape. It is grey in color but the packaging on the outside of the tape is red. Comes in a large roll and is usually about $30 but it is 100% worth it. Used it when I was installing my side markers on my old WRX and old misc items. Looks almost identical to the tape that is used in stock form.

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...94542041&rt=c3

Some are as thin as 0.4mm thick. Use navigation menu on left to narrow down search.

-alex

Thanks. I'm going to give some of that a try. If it doesn't work, oh well, I'll just go back to the traditional method.

Update: I've completed the switch. Took forever because of weather down here in South Florida (I have to work outside).

I went with 3m Automotive tape, rather than the hardcore VHB, mainly because of availability (They had it at the local auto parts store). So far holding up well.

The skirts had the waves in them, even when I took them off. I heated (both sun and hair dryer...I need a heat gun) them a bit and it helped. I'm hoping time and the sun will help some more.

Here are the results:

before:
http://www.freudeamfoto.com/gtx/skirtb4.jpg

after:
http://www.freudeamfoto.com/gtx/skirtafter.jpg
(note that bit of rain in the gap kind of accentuates it, but it's no worse really than with the hardware)

How are the skirts holding up with just the 3M tape? Do you have any detailed pictures of the two screw mount holes you talked about on either end?

If I'm having fun with friends doing 120 down I75, the last thing I want to be thinking about is whether the TAPE holding my side skirts on will hold up. they won't. The rain will weaken that tape and those will rip off. Use more screws.

My sideskirts started to sag last summer so I just went in with double the screws and it's held up well. At speed or through a puddle, whether my shit's staying on is the least of my concerns now.