To 3M or not to 3M, that is the ?

[HITMAN]

Ok folks, I ask this question only because I am interested to hear what everyone’s ideas are about this topic.

I want to install a Wings West Body Kit onto my NSX and have had other body kits on my other cars (Mercedes, Acura Legend, etc..) that have been installed using the 3M adhesive backing tape and adhesive promoter, but I hear that using liquid urethane would work better.

I was recommended by a friend to contact Ed Wright with Extreme Body Conversions in Westminster, Colorado, who used to work for Koenig in Germany. He has built some pretty amazing cars, and recommends installing the kit using liquid urethane rather then the 3M adhesive tape. He showed me some pictures of him standing on an air dam of a Mercedes Benz that was installed using liquid urethane. Here is his link: http://www.extremebodyconversions.com/

I am not sure what the pros and cons are for using the liquid urethane over the 3M adhesive tape. Any suggestions?


[This message has been edited by HITMAN (edited 23 October 2002).]

 

[D'Ecosse]

& then you remove it with an air chisel when its time to go, huh?

My experience this evening tells me the tape when adhered properly is plenty adequate: I was at my body shop, of all places, to get my skirts color matched to body before he shoots them tomorrow; he asks me to bring my car over closer to door so he doesn't have to run back & forth as he is mixing different shade cards; then he watches me drive right into curb which I could have sworn was another 2 feet further forward (thanks to car right next which was pulled up over the top of curb) - only 2 weeks after the front was done! I coulda cried as I heard it crunch.
But, when I looked only a small mark on the front of the WW lip - the body guy rubbed it off easy with a little compound, can't even see it now.
Now, he said he saw the lip almost bend double, yet it stayed frimly attached. Also a testament to a quality paint finish with adequate flex agent or he said w/o it the paint would have cracked even though lip didn't.
So, I am convinced the tape is just fine, although I would have had my doubts about it other than this experience.

p.s. That is also a good reason for not going with FG - it would have just splintered; my previous FG kit cracked on both the front & under-side of the skirt - I love the fact that WW is urethane, very forgiving that low to ground. Also my paint guy is using a new special flex agent on the skirts for that reason - I'll post name of it after I ask him again.

[This message has been edited by D'Ecosse (edited 24 October 2002).]

 

[LJSB]

At my shop we use 3M fast set urethane or 3M panel bonding adhesive.
Not one panel we have ever put on has come off or loose at all. IT STAYS ON.
The fellow above is right however. You will need a chisel to get it off.
Joe Lomoriello

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www.vincesautobodyworks.com

[This message has been edited by pbassjo (edited 24 October 2002).]

 

[HITMAN]

Thanks guys for the information. This would make sense to just install it with the 3M adhesive tape and not to install it with the liquid urethane. I can see trying to get it off later would be a real pain.

Thanks!

 

[4AU4LIFE]

3M for sure.
My WW kit is also attached that way.

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ALL NSX
92 RED/BLACK 5-SPEED