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      08-29-2011, 03:34 PM   #1
Miami M3
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Spoiler FAIL - don't use 3M tape!

I'm still beside myself right now. This morning coming in to work on the highway I heard a strange rattle coming from the outside of the car. I looked out the side mirrors and saw nothing. Just as I look in my rear view, I see my $400 OEM carbon fiber spoiler go flying off into the middle of the highway. I can't even describe the feeling in my stomach. Needless to say I called up the guy who installed it (a very reputable guy who did great work on the rest of my car and who I won't name) and had a few words with him. The verdict: I should've gone with the betalink for the install, not 3M double sided tape. The tape failed ultimately, but I suspect it's because he wasn't able to get a good enough adhesion to the front edge of the spoiler (which is very thin and clearly not meant to be used with tape), and the wind eventually got under it and ripped it off. I've had it installed since March, and have gone 130+ without a problem, but I guess eventually it wore down and gave way. Looks like I just learned an expensive lesson in listening to OEM instructions for installation.

LESSON: Don't use double sided tape to install the OEM spoiler, use the betalink.
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      08-29-2011, 03:43 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Miami M3 View Post
I'm still beside myself right now. This morning coming in to work on the highway I heard a strange rattle coming from the outside of the car. I looked out the side mirrors and saw nothing. Just as I look in my rear view, I see my $400 OEM carbon fiber spoiler go flying off into the middle of the highway. I can't even describe the feeling in my stomach. Needless to say I called up the guy who installed it (a very reputable guy who did great work on the rest of my car and who I won't name) and had a few words with him. The verdict: I should've gone with the betalink for the install, not 3M double sided tape. The tape failed ultimately, but I suspect it's because he wasn't able to get a good enough adhesion to the front edge of the spoiler (which is very thin and clearly not meant to be used with tape), and the wind eventually got under it and ripped it off. I've had it installed since March, and have gone 130+ without a problem, but I guess eventually it wore down and gave way. Looks like I just learned an expensive lesson in listening to OEM instructions for installation.

LESSON: Don't use double sided tape to install the OEM spoiler, use the betalink.

Sorry to hear... But your experience is one of your own/installers making as I and many others have been just fine with 3m tape...

The MOST important part of the install is prep, you MUST MUST use rubbing alcohol or similar solution and prep the area that is to be use for adhesion.

Also a good installer would seal the gap with some silllicone or something.


PM me if you want a reccomended installer...
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      08-29-2011, 04:01 PM   #3
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Sorry to hear that happened. I was worried about that happening after I installed mine with 3M tape, but it has been about 3 months and it's still on there. Hopefully this doesn't mean that mine will fly off in 2 more months...
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      08-29-2011, 04:08 PM   #4
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I intended to install mine with 3M tape but after seeing the contact area on the spoiler, I wasn't convinced that it would hold at all! I just went ahead and used Beta Link and I have no regrets. It is solid as rock!
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      08-29-2011, 04:13 PM   #5
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i definitely think yours was put on pretty poorly. If it's put close enough to the front edge...it's not likely to ever come off from speed!
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      08-29-2011, 04:16 PM   #6
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If the oem CF (not performance version) is anything like the performance version and is hollow with no full flat surface on the underside, betalink should definitely be used. The oem urethane spoiler is a solid piece and the whole underside is flat and stuck onto the tape and the tape onto the trunk. Much more contact area on this one.
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      08-29-2011, 04:31 PM   #7
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sorry to hear. that must suck. on the bright side at least it didnt hit a approaching car. that may of made things worse
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      08-29-2011, 04:37 PM   #8
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Sorry to hear about that.
On a side note, I Installed my Vorsteiner spoiler with 3M double sided tape a year ago and have absolutely no problems with it.
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      08-29-2011, 05:08 PM   #9
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Thanks for the sympathy guys, I definitely learned my lesson. I'm getting a new one and will be using the betalink this time. To those of you that have 3M tape on yours, I hope mine was just poorly installed and you don't have the same problem. Nevertheless, I'll be gluing the next one down.
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      08-29-2011, 05:14 PM   #10
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I installed my own and used double sided tape. I definitely took my time and did the job right and I'm pretty confident it'll hold. Sorry to hear yours fell off.
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      08-29-2011, 05:25 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by username11 View Post
This was God's way of telling you that your carbon fiber spoiler is lame. Revert to stock and consider it a blessing.
Thank you for that interpretation. Very useful talent you have there.
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      08-29-2011, 07:49 PM   #12
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oh geez, another one of "these" threads.


3M double-sided tape works perfect, i only know this because i work in a body shop.

I installed my moms C/F trunk lip with it a year ago, and it is literally still flawless.
Sorry to say, but your "reputable" person may have made a mistake, it's not the product.
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      08-29-2011, 10:36 PM   #13
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I used double sided tape on my bmw performance spoiler and it's still holding strong 7 months after the install.
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      08-30-2011, 02:03 AM   #14
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my spolier is held on with 3M tape and I track my car...I track my car often. (6 times this summer alone) and it hasn't gone anywhere :P
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      09-02-2011, 12:53 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by persian54 View Post
my spolier is held on with 3M tape and I track my car...I track my car often. (6 times this summer alone) and it hasn't gone anywhere :P
clearly not driving fast enough.....jk
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      09-02-2011, 12:59 PM   #16
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sorry to hear that. Used 3m tape on my cf spoiler and its still on my trunk
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      09-02-2011, 02:36 PM   #17
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I just used staples. Holds just fine
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Thickness feels good to me and my hands aren't that big.
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      09-02-2011, 05:27 PM   #18
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install fail - id say the majority of folks use the 3M tape. DIY next time
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      09-02-2011, 05:30 PM   #19
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I've used 3M tape on so many things. Like any other install the most important thing is Prep! If the surface isnt prepped right you'll always have something fly off.
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      09-02-2011, 09:42 PM   #20
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Thats why I had mine installed at the delivery center. Read too many stories about bad installs and these possible issues with a DIY install with tape. BTW, the performance spoiler is nothing like a lip spoiler, it is a lot bigger and could put a lot of torque on the attachment point. Driving won't cause any issues, even at speed, grabbing the spoiler to close the trunk will! Not that I every do it, but others touch it.
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      09-02-2011, 10:03 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chris s View Post
i definitely think yours was put on pretty poorly. If it's put close enough to the front edge...it's not likely to ever come off from speed!
+ 1000

Bad install period!
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      09-03-2011, 07:47 AM   #22
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There are many grades of 3M tapes.

Some cheap, some super expensive.
Dont use the cheap stuff
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