Well, I installed the AM quarter window louvers Friday evening and let cure until Sunday. I followed the directions to a "T" and used the adhesive promoter and the alcohol packs provided. Sunday evening, I washed and polished the Stang and drove around for a few minutes. Coming to work this morning, I noticed several spots where the 3m double sided sticky tape is not sticking to the car. Did I wash the car too soon? I tried not get the louver totally wet and didn't spray directly on the louver when washing the car.
I guess I will need to remove and re-do.
I will need to pick up the heavy duty 3m tape from Home depot.
Any suggestions when re-doing?

 

Sorry to hear that.

Be sure to prep the louvers as well as the windows. I doubt that washing the car had any impact since the adhesive had more than enough time to cure. My only thoughts would be the ambient temperature during the 24 hour cure period such as if the car was outside with temperatures dropping below ideal plus any humidity and condensation that may have impacted the curing process.

I think I'd ditch the provided alcohol packs (unless the package states greater than 90%) and go with a solvent made for surface preparation. I've installed quarter window louvers, rear window louvers and side scoops with the solvent I bought and other than 1 of the 6 rear window louver brackets, never had an issue.

 

Kevin, I am pretty sure I have read on some of these installs that require the use of 3M tape that the temperatures should stay above 60 degrees I believe or it may be 70, if thats the case I am pretty sure it has gotten below 60 at night within the past few days?

 

Appreciate it Nuke. I made sure to take my time and follow the instructions to a "T". I really hate re-doing things, especially when I did it right the first time. I am thinking maybe there is an issue with the 3M tape provided. I should have purchased the 3M double sided tape from Home Depot and used it.
Where can I get te 90% alcohol solvent?
I also noticed in past posts that the adhesion promoter is not necessarily needed?

 

Hey Eddie! When I installed the louvers Friday evening, in the garage, it was around 73 degrees. I don't think it got below 60 in my garage, but then, it may have. I left the stang in the garage until Sunday, when I decided to wash and polished it. I checked the louvers Saturday morning and evening, and everything seemed to be sticking fine.

 

You can get >90% alcohol at some drug stores but in some cases they have to order it. Since I've had very good luck with the solvent that I bought at an O'Reilleys (sp), I haven't bothered with alcohol OR adhesive promoter. I have used the solvent on painted surfaces too. My side scoops are a great example. It's been over 3 years on the louvers and scoops.

I suspect you did it right and that it was a tape issue. I'll keep my fingers crossed for your next attempt.

 

Cool, do you know the name of the solvent from O'Reilleys? I will give that a try and purchase stronger 3M tape from Home depot. I am wondering how difficult it is going to be uninstalling the louvers where it did cure.
Appreciate your help Nuke!

 

Kevin, I was thinking that you left your car parked outside. I don't how it could have gotten below 60 in the garage!

 

Very frustrating, I should have followed my gut and just purchased the heavy duty 3M tape from Home Depot. Live and learn!

 

I'm at work so I can't get the brand but most of the auto parts stores not only have the solvent but also the 3M tape.

I've only had to remove 1 bracket for my rear window louvers and I used fishing line to saw thru the tape, then a razor blade on the glass to remove the bulk and then the solvent to get the rest of the adhesive off. It was a real PITA so I don't envy you having to remove both louvers. Put some good tunes on, get a tall glass of something cold and have at it.