Dali Valientine1 mount for coupes

[DONYMO]

Has anyone installed the Dali Valentine-1 mount kit on a coupe?

How did you attach it?

I tried using industrial strength velcro (as suggested by Mark Johnson) and it held the radar detector in place perfectly....until the next morning when it pulled away from the headliner and fell into the seat.

In other words, the industrial strength velcro's glue doesn't seem strong enough (or doesn't make good enough contact with) to stay on the headliner. Any suggestions???

P.S. I really don't want to screw it into the headliner.

 

[MAJOR STONER]

I don't have any experience with the unit, but you could try some 3M double sided tape, the type used to secure the Wings West body kit panels. Your local bodyshop should have some on hand.

 

[DONYMO]

Good idea. Do I have to go to a body shop?
Don't they sell this at a regular store like Home Depot?

 

[Soichiro]

Did you clean the headliner before using the Velcro? I think the Velcro would handle this weight easily.

 

[DONYMO]

No, I did not. I just wiped it off a little. What would be good to prep it?

 

[KGP]

You do know that you are not limited to using the V1 coupe mount in the coupe? IOW you could use the T mount inteaad.

 

[DONYMO]

Thanks, but I'm too far down this road to change now.

 

[Hiroshima]

I have mine still stuck on the windshield to give it the best possible visibility to radar. But if you want to attach it to the roof using velcro I would recommend Velcor dual lock. It is not velcro in the traditional sense. When you see it you will understand.

As for the prep, I would use some kind of kitchen spray cleaner or rubbing alcohol to remove any kind of oil, grease, or film which will prevent the velcro adhesive from getting a firm hold.

 

[MAJOR STONER]

They should sell the tape at an auto store, and maybe home depot. I figured if you had a bodyshop that knows you, they could just give you some.

 

[AKUDOU]

Any suggestions???

P.S. I really don't want to screw it into the headliner.

Go to an automotive paint supply center and ask for 3M Scotch Mount it is a double -coated acrylic foam tape (.045 in thick) Part No. 051131. This is a lot stronger than the Wings West Tape. I removed all the tape on the WW and replaced with the above. If it will hold WW rear spats it should work fine in your application. I have some extra. How much do you need?

 

[DONYMO]

3 inches square

 

[AKUDOU]

3 inches square

No Problem e-mail your address I am just 300mi north of Hotlanta and I'll mail tomorrow.

 

[AKUDOU]

3 inches square

Donymo If you e-mailed me today our server was down and lost all mail (sorry). Send again or send to my home tonight [email protected]

 

[92 white 0650]

Screw it

I really don't want to screw it into the headliner.

This advice applies only if it's "your" car for an indefinite period and you're not sitting around with a cover on it wondering about re-sale value. With that disclaimer out of the way, here's my advice after 4 years in this position:

I didn't want to screw it either, but I did and the functionality and convenience far outweigh any anxiety about holes in my liner. I don't have the Dali thing, I just used the visor mount that came with it after removing the visor clip. Just looking at Dali's site, I can't see how his is better than just the visor clip. I have a second visor clip screwed into the liner in my daily driver (2000 Prelude) and switch it back and forth. I can slide it into the clip, pop the short power cord (from the dome light) with one hand in 5 seconds while driving. Best and easiest location for a radar detector I've ever had in 25 years of using them.

So for starters, go ahead and do the tape/velcro thing for a few months and when you get tired of fussing with it and ready for a permanent solution, then screw it.

PS: Either way, it's an outstanding location. One can speculate all day long about the mirror partially blocking it in this location, but the way that radar "floods" the entire area, I think there's no significant compromise in detection capability. And like I say, the functionality, convenience and relatively stealthy location (for not being a remote) is well worth the theoretical trade-offs

 

[DONYMO]

My only concern is not knowing exactly how long of a screw to use. I can live with a small hole in the headliner. My fear is sending the screw throught the roof! Any advice on exactly how far into the headliner I need to go?

 

[pimp42]

I think the Dali site says a 1 inch screw. That sounds HUGE - I'm too terrified to even think about a 1 inch screw in there...

m

 

[92 white 0650]

screw length

Yes that is a concern.

I had it screwed just into the fabric liner for about 3 years. When that got sloppy, I screwed it thru the fabric liner and into the solid metal liner.

Take the dome light out and you'll be able to see the solid metal liner and see/feel the gap between it and the roof. With a little care you'll be able to figure out the right length.

 

[Ojas]

The headliner is not too hard to remove. Perhaps, you can remove it and use a nut/washer/bolt rather than just a screw. This way you won't have to worry about screw length or screwing into the roof. I think this would be more secure, anyway. The headliner seemed pretty thin, I'm sure not sure how long the mount secured with a screw would last before the threads strip the hole.

Just a thought.