Is 3M a bad idea for the CF performance spoiler?

[Edward]

Before the flames start, I did perform a

I've read pretty much every thread on this topic and have seen it go both ways, but I don't have a good grasp on how many people are fine with the tape job versus Beta Link.

I also have never seen a clear picture of just how much mounting surface area I have to work with on the underside where the spoiler is hollow.
If anyone ever took a photo it'd be much appreciated if I could see it.

Beta-link is not an option because tho I own the car, I have a big issue with committing to anything permanent in life. I always want the option to go back to stock if I prefer. I ordered the spoiler already sans beta link...

The dealership where I got my car also told me that they do not use beta link anymore. They said they use another adhesive that they forgot the name of. He said it is reversible if removed professionally.
I am strongly considering this move vs 3M. Anyone hear of it or know the name?


I guess if the spoiler blows off with 3M, it's not the end of the world, but I probably wouldn't buy another one.

[Ghetto2315]

Use the 3M. It's what I did and it's on there nice and tight with no issues. I'm in NJ so it gets pretty damn cold in the winter and pretty hot and muggy in the summer. It's been a year and a half and no issues thus far.

To be honest, the reason why I chose 3M over the Betalink was because I read a post a long time ago that somebody tried to steal a forum member's spoiler and he used betalink and the thief who tried to rip it off actually damaged the trunk and spent more money repairing the trunk than just buying a new spoiler.

[RD1M3]

Thanks for starting this one, I'll be interested to see the poll results. I'm debating the same issue as well. Leaning towards 3M.

[e1000]

I actually bought a bottle of betalink but ended up going the 3M route. It works fine. There's about a 1/4" space the entire way around the performance spoiler where you can make the tape stick. I used pretty long pieces and made sure there was no gap in between the different strips. It's amazingly solid and my spoiler has been on for over 2 years now with no issues. Doesn't even budge.

[ortho281]

I installed mine using betalink and I'm very happy with the results. I was under the impression, that it could still be removed if done carefully. I forgot where I read this, but I would rather not worry about it flying off on the track at 140 mph and being a projectile for the vehicle behind me.

[izzyM2]

Beta link - Flush to the surface. Looks installed from factory. Cons are its permanent.
(I went with) 3M - Will have a little slight gap, can be taken out... say when you sell your car and get a few bucks for it.

[Nati Beastcat]

as far as I know:

E92 - You can use Betalink or 3M
E90 - Only betalink works properly

[Edward]

Originally Posted by Nati Beastcat

as far as I know:

E92 - You can use Betalink or 3M
E90 - Only betalink works properly

Can you share the reasoning behind this?

Perhaps it's a surface area thing? The E92 version kicks higher so I figured it would be met with more air flow resistance and thus would be worse off with 3M.

[Nati Beastcat]

Originally Posted by Edward

Can you share the reasoning behind this?

Perhaps it's a surface area thing? The E92 version kicks higher so I figured it would be met with more air flow resistance and thus would be worse off with 3M.

I stopped by iND to drop off my spoiler for paint and was told by them. The problem has to do with the shape of the E90's trunk. They didn't say it couldn't be done, but they've tried 3M on the E90 and it doesn't look good.

All I need to hear and went with betalink.

read this whole thread if you haven't

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...light=betalink

Friend of mine owns a body shop and ended up doing for me for free after all that..

[Raja Ventureshield]

3m is the way to go. clean up the area well and install it, you will be happy.

[8_is_enough]

3M at first, but didn't like the gap and it had some flex. switched to betalink and now it's flush and solid.

[MasterP]

I used 3M adhesive promoter when using the VHB tape and it's ON there. You won't be pulling it off by hand. There's no gap if you buy the appropriate thickness of tape. Autozone does not sell it. I recommend you visit 3M.com or talk to a rep to determine the approprate product. I had to buy mine at Amazon since it's nearly impossible to find any at a "store." The Adhsive promoter makes it bond almost instantly so you have to peel back the red part a little at a time in sections.

I tried the Beta link and it was just a mess. I'm glad everyone else had luck with it, but it was a pain. It's worse cleaning up after it.

The install has had no problems at high speeds 140-150 mph with no issues. It's still on there even with Texas heat trying to melt it off.

[BIGW0RM]

I used 3m tape and I don't have any gap.

[s65e90]

Originally Posted by Nati Beastcat

as far as I know:

E92 - You can use Betalink or 3M
E90 - Only betalink works properly

lol that's just silly; my spolier had 3m on it and works just fine; additionally, the OE spoiler uses 3m tape as well; curious to know this reasoning.

[Edward]

Originally Posted by s65e90

lol that's just silly; my spolier had 3m on it and works just fine; additionally, the OE spoiler uses 3m tape as well; curious to know this reasoning.

Well the oem stock spoiler is a different case. It is smaller, far less air resistance to help it come off, and a much larger sticking surface area in relation to the exposed surface area of actual spoiler. The airflow at high speed has a lot more leverage to rip the spoiler off the trunk on the CF performance version.

The stock one is recessed maybe 1-1.5mm to accomodate the thickness of 3M tape as well.

[Nati Beastcat]

Originally Posted by s65e90

lol that's just silly; my spolier had 3m on it and works just fine; additionally, the OE spoiler uses 3m tape as well; curious to know this reasoning.

?? I was told don't bother with the tape on the E90. Not that it couldn't be done, but the glue was better on E90.

[squartus]

Been debating this myself, thanks for posting.

[Someone?]

To you guys that used 3M, how did you use the tape on the front part of the spoiler(because its folded, the spoiler isnt solid on the bottom its two pieces with the back being wider and the front being TINY)

[BIGW0RM]

Originally Posted by ibmike

To you guys that used 3M, how did you use the tape on the front part of the spoiler(because its folded, the spoiler isnt solid on the bottom its two pieces with the back being wider and the front being TINY)

you use 1/2" tape. You run it 1/8th of an inch from the edge of the spoiler. If you do it any closer, it will show a gap. The top part lays pretty flat along the trunk so while it looks like it might not hold, it does.

[Endless619]

3m

[Someone?]

Originally Posted by ILSMKU

you use 1/2" tape. You run it 1/8th of an inch from the edge of the spoiler. If you do it any closer, it will show a gap. The top part lays pretty flat along the trunk so while it looks like it might not hold, it does.

So you do that on the tiny front lip too? is the front lip area even equal 1/8 inch?

[Edward]

Originally Posted by ibmike

So you do that on the tiny front lip too? is the front lip area even equal 1/8 inch?

ibmike,

Your pic is of an E92 spoiler? That leading edge looks like it has no space at all for tape! I was trying to think creative to come up with a support structure of sorts to rig to go inside the hollow part to drastically increase surface area for tape...but I don't have any good ideas yet.