How to prepare trunk lid for attaching spoiler

shagnat

New member
Dec 6, 2013
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How should I prepare my trunk lid for attaching a new "spoiler" lip to my trunk using the 3M tape which was provided with the lip?

Any input is appreciated.
 
I would just make sure you have a very clean surface. (clay & polish). Kinda scary just having 3m tape holding a spoiler...
 
I would just make sure you have a very clean surface. (clay & polish). Kinda scary just having 3m tape holding a spoiler...

Yep, a good polish and alcohol wipe down will prepare the surface for proper adhesion. If the surface is cool to the touch, then use a heat gun to warm things up for strong initial bonding.
 
Yep, a good polish and alcohol wipe down will prepare the surface for proper adhesion. If the surface is cool to the touch, then use a heat gun to warm things up for strong initial bonding.
Warming things up with a heat gun is a great idea I hadn't thought about.
Thanks! :dblthumb2:
 
Hair Dryer works too if you don't have a heat gun.

Don't get the 3M double sided sticky tape too hot, just warm. I would also warm up the trunk lid/paint using the hair dryer or move the trunk into the sun.


Prep paint just like you would for a coating, the is clay, polish, strip.


:)
 
besure to do a good ipa wipe down so adhesive sticks, heat is a very good idea escpecially on cold days.

Also, be sure to put some weight on the spoiler to keep pressure on the adhesive. Unless its a very small spoiler i'd use more than 3m.

Some cars do have very small spoilers that 3m tape would be sufficient, do you have a picture of said spoiler?
 
To those aprehensive about the 3M tape, aren't most factory lip spoilers just stuck on with double-sided tape? That's how my sister's Lexus IS is. What am I missing here?
 
I installed a lot of body kits with 3m double sided tape (front lip, side skirt, trunk lip/spoiler, rear diffuser).

The tricks I follow:
- do it on a warm day
- dont get the tape hot until you have the bodykit lined up to exactly how you want
- ask for someone to hold it while you line up the kit
- don't cut out a single long piece of tape, it is easier to peel off with two to three smaller pieces instead
- peel a corner that sticks out from each piece of tape
- once everything is lined up, pull on the corner and take off the plastic attached to the tape
- press down and use heatgun/hair dryer
 
Thanks, everyone!
The 3M tape is already attached to the spoiler/lip. I just need to prep the trunk lid (regarding cleaning etc.) for installation. I'm sure it needs to be clean, but, my concern was more of how to be sure the trunk lid doesn't have any waxes/sealants that have any oils or super slick properties that would keep the 3M tape for adhering to the trunk as well as possible.
I do have a heat gun and will definitely warm up the trunk lid before applying the spoiler/lip.
 
Thanks, everyone!
The 3M tape is already attached to the spoiler/lip. I just need to prep the trunk lid (regarding cleaning etc.) for installation. I'm sure it needs to be clean, but, my concern was more of how to be sure the trunk lid doesn't have any waxes/sealants that have any oils or super slick properties that would keep the 3M tape for adhering to the trunk as well as possible.
I do have a heat gun and will definitely warm up the trunk lid before applying the spoiler/lip.

Polishing the trunk lid then IPA wipedown will prep the surface for installation as several others have mentioned...
 
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