The_Shirt

And thanks for all the additional replies since my first thanks =). Would I be right to guess that the 3m 4298 "adhesive promoter" is an automotive solvent (as nuke posted to use), or is it something different and I still need to find either the automotive solvent or the 90%+ alcohol to clean?

MeanStang08

yup, you'd be right.. 4298 is killer on paint.. make sure it doesn't drip any..

157dB

+1
Murder on the clearcoat.
But affixes the 3M tape to the painted accessory like mad.
And cleans glass like no ones busisness.
Smells like a permanent marker without the pigment.
I am sure the MSDS states what it is made of.
Acrylic Polymer - Trade Secret

ahkitekt

See my post from today about my install.

Use the 100% rubbing alcohol after your car has been washed very well. Use painter's tape on the edges of the louver and edges of the car body butt up against each other. draw a straight line across for alignment. when you take off the 3M cover pad, you can slowly put them right on against the alignment lines and then apply some even pressure. let sit for about 18-24 hours before driving.

I did the hubcapsplus install Sunday night and I love the look.

Blacksmoke

I'm not understanding this... and I dont like what is being said because it is worrying me.

I have the Xenon window scoops installed. They go OVER the window and onto the
actual body of the car.
It came with adhesive promoter that it said to use.... and yes it went on the freakin
paint.....
So does this mean that when I take these off someday my paint on the car
is gonna be all fugged up?

MeanStang08

basically yes.. alot of factors are involved, so it's possible a good buffing might clean up those spots.. they might need to be clearcoated again though.. depends on how much promotor was used, how well you take of the dbl-sided tape when you remove them, and how long they were on the car..

Blacksmoke

Well... I am going to have to take them off soon.
Some of the paint off one of the scoops is peeling off now... (which they came painted and now are saying they wont replace them for me).

I have had them on the car for about a year and a half now.
Why the HELL would they tell me on the instructions to put something on my car
that would hurt the paint. That is just CRAZY and really pisses me off.

How will I be able to tell if the clear coat has been damaged?
(what will I see?)
Also... what you recommend I do as far as going about taking the louvers off?

MeanStang08

ouch.. that stinks..

I assume they don't think you're gonna remove them.. they want them to "hold" on best they can, and the tape sticks better when you use the promotor. it's not really made to be a "removable" accessory..

i'm no expert at this, but but i would use fishing line and possibly a blow dryer to heat up the tape, make it more pliable.. then just saw the fishing line back and forth to "cut" through the tape. you're gonna have to wash that residue off once you get them off.. (i'd use the alcohol solution)

i honestly don't know what you'll see when you take it off.. maybe someone else can answer this better than i ??? i would assume you'd see a very very dull finish where the tape is.. or swirlies in the clear? and depending on the base coat of the car, you might lose metallic luster and depth with a light shone at the correct angle ? with them only having been on that long, it might be possible that you get them off, and you can't even see anything at all.

good luck.. and i hope someone with more experience in the removal can answer these questions..

Blacksmoke

Thanks. Now that I know all of this I am going to go with some different louvers
after removing these.
Hopefully I wont see any paint damage but I guess that will be seen in the future soon enough.

I guess if they have damaged the paint I will have the choice of either

1. paying for the damage to be removed
2. repainting those louvers and getting them slapped back on.. covering up the
damage.

If there is no damage I will go with another brand of course and not test my luck again.
If there is damage.... dunno what I will do. One of the two options above
even though I dunno whcih would be best.
I remember seeing a pair of ROUSH quarters at the local dealership here.
I wonder if those bond the same way or if they go on the window instead....

MeanStang08

yeah, i would assume touching up with clearcoat wouldn't be "too" awfully expensive.. and definately worth it.. if it's damaged..

mine are Roush - they have 3 clips / support brackets that are 3m dbl-sided taped to both the body and the glass.. but it's just 3 spots about 1" by 2" each.. but it's still on the body.. but i don't plan on removing mine ever.. so it didn't bother me.. but i had to be very careful cause that promotor runs like water.. and i didn't realize it at first.. luckily i had a towel and caught it before it got off my tape...

i have seen a couple styles that stick to your glass only.. so i know they're out there.. good luck man.. make sure you reply back and let us know when you remove your existing ones, let us know what you found out..