VG Sharkfinn Antenna. Could not make a 100% Seal, gaps in tape

[EBMCS03]

Originally Posted by DaJo

The appearance is not what I'm concerned about, it's the sealing ability of the tape.

It rains almost everyday here in "Rain"couver...

Well if I don't see any gaps Im assuming its sealing fine. One won't know unless u put it through a car wash and then rip the antenna off to see if there's water inside.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by EBMCS03

Well if I don't see any gaps Im assuming its sealing fine. One won't know unless u put it through a car wash and then rip the antenna off to see if there's water inside.

If you put a bright light to it and get close enough, you can see if there are gaps or if its the reflection of the roof.

[chenshuo]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

Tried heat gun at 500 F, got it pretty soft...

And u have to be really careful as @CircuitJerk said, very dangerous for the roof paint.

Can't you use those sealant for windshield? I don't know what those things are called but when you get your windshield replaced those glass people use the black glue-like thing. After it dries it's easy to remove too.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by chenshuo

Can't you use those sealant for windshield? I don't know what those things are called but when you get your windshield replaced those glass people use the black glue-like thing. After it dries it's easy to remove too.

I have never dealt with that so maybe its an option but I don't know.

[butdamnbrian]

on sealant, i poked around awhile, but wasn't able to find a paint-safe sealant. the sealants out there (eg silicone) either don't adhere well to paint or require a solvent to remove that would harm the paint (or worse, razor blade). see permatex offerings, for example. same thing with front windshield caulk i looked into.

if anyone has a good option for a sealant/caulk that can be applied that won't require paint-damaging techniques for removal, please post up. would love to know.

also, check out carsmo post here, in which they discuss a similar issue for installation of their duckbill spoiler:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...2&postcount=21

thoughts include:
1. possibly using the same tape carsmo uses for its spoiler, rather than the more generic stuff.
2. maybe it's a GOOD thing to have a few small open ridges under the shark fin; yes water will get in, but the ventilation also will allow the water to escape/evaporate. carsmo actually intends for this to occur with its duckbill spoiler, as it leaves the lowermost section of the duckbill untaped for drainage/ventilation. seems like a complete seal is an unrealistic expectation with tape as the only medium (even if the tape is 100% ridge-less).
3. sounds like correctly prepping the surface is CRUCIAL to ensure good adherence by tape. i understand scratch-x will remove excess wax from auto paint. the quality of the seal will depend greatly on the thoroughness of surface preparation.

thoughts?

[itsibarra]

Originally Posted by EBMCS03

Mine seems to be holding up ok.

One question, I noticed how VG des not include any template on where and how you install the sharkfin, I mean I guess it should be relativly self explainatory but where are you guys installing it? closer to the back of the car or towards the front? I cant remember if I centered it or pushed it forward.

Notice in my pic I have left a gap between the antenna and the edge of the back windshield.

I think the cars roof curves more towards the back of the car so if you center it more towards the front of the car there's less curve, less prone to the gap
Attachment 24927

When I installed my VG antenna i went more towards the back of the car just because i thought it looked better there. The antenna is slightly stretched and the piece will spring foward if i let go, but i didn't get any type of lift anywhere on my fin. I just used simple isopropyl to prep the area and it stuck right on. Been on the car for 6 months now..

[tech4pdx]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy83

I bought and installed the VG Sharkfinn. I tried three different times to install it, every single time there were gaps in the tape and I could never made them disappear completely. First two times I followed instructions (clean, dry, measure, tape, test fit, remove tape, press front part for 1 minute, press back for 1 minute, all set and done).

The third time (determined to get it to work) I got on a ladder and put all the weight of my body into the VG Sharkfinn, I could NEVER make the gap disappear. This last time was the best one (in terms of amount of gap). It initially looked completely sealed but gaps would come back 4-5 days later.

I am not badmouthing them AT ALL. They are stand up guys, very friendly, with good customer service and they stood 10000% behind their product. They helped me all along the way and made things right with me at the end. They even shipped me different sharkfins to try. I just couldn't get it right (even put a small dent in the window frame trying to put so much force into the finn).

The Finn is awesome, extremely pretty, but I just could never get it to fit. Maybe I am too picky and wanted 100% seal on the tape, I know some people who have gaps in the tape and don't mind. I was concerned with water getting in there, especially since the gap was in the front.

Just wanted to share my experience with the community, knowledge is power.

I'm so glad you wrote this up. That would drive me nuts. I'm going to get the 2" Perrin instead.

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by butdamnbrian

thoughts include:
1. possibly using the same tape carsmo uses for its spoiler, rather than the more generic stuff.
2. maybe it's a GOOD thing to have a few small open ridges under the shark fin; yes water will get in, but the ventilation also will allow the water to escape/evaporate. carsmo actually intends for this to occur with its duckbill spoiler, as it leaves the lowermost section of the duckbill untaped for drainage/ventilation. seems like a complete seal is an unrealistic expectation with tape as the only medium (even if the tape is 100% ridge-less).
3. sounds like correctly prepping the surface is CRUCIAL to ensure good adherence by tape. i understand scratch-x will remove excess wax from auto paint. the quality of the seal will depend greatly on the thoroughness of surface preparation.

thoughts?

It would be nice to have those holes in the BACK of the Fin, so the water runs that way. The problem is the holes and ridges are usually on the side/front.

I honestly used stuff made specifically to make paint stick (like touch up paint), which is pretty good. And it still didn't work.

I will ad this. Most people are not problem. I just think a better tape could be used so that NO ONE has any issues.

[Cajun]

According to VG (see vendor thread), the gap is caused by "improper installation" - kind of strange since mine didn't even come with instructions...

[Sportsguy83]

Originally Posted by Cajun

According to VG (see vendor thread), the gap is caused by "improper installation" - kind of strange since mine didn't even come with instructions...

I know..

[EBMCS03]

Originally Posted by itsibarra

When I installed my VG antenna i went more towards the back of the car just because i thought it looked better there. The antenna is slightly stretched and the piece will spring foward if i let go, but i didn't get any type of lift anywhere on my fin. I just used simple isopropyl to prep the area and it stuck right on. Been on the car for 6 months now..

Ya I basically pushed it as far up as it would go with 0 pressure on the antenna.

I shined a spot light around it today and took some pics. I see no gap in mine

[kevinnivek8877]

I bought this fin over the summer but I was having the same problems as you. I took it off and haven't put it back on because of the cold weather. Interesting to see that I am not the only one with this issue.

[Blake]

I will take a picture of mine. I got the Beat Sonic and I have a BAD gap in the front. I don't know what to do to fix it?? I put it on in July, it's been fine but it just bothers me that it has a gap in the front.

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by Blake

I will take a picture of mine. I got the Beat Sonic and I have a BAD gap in the front. I don't know what to do to fix it?? I put it on in July, it's been fine but it just bothers me that it has a gap in the front.

Sorry, I'm abit confused... You have a Beat Sonic and it has a gap in front as well?

Did you install it properly (thorough cleaning and prep)?