i installed my mugen grille on my 07 TSX a few weeks ago. i noticed that the double-sided tape that was included and used for the bottom portion of the grille to the bumper doesn't seem to be adhereing too well. i did all the necessary prepping needed--cleaned the surfaces of both the grille and bumper, wiped them both with some isopropyl alcohol, etc...

has anyone encounted this issue? it seems that the heat generated from under the hood is causing it to heat up and soften, and i'm sure the recent drop in temps isn't helping much either. that, plus the bottom doesn't sit very flush with the bumper, so it might need some thicker tape. there is a gap. it's noticable if you sit in front and look, but from afar it's no big deal. i'm wondering if i should just let it be or if i should re-do it all over again with some new tape.

i also had a similar issue with the back of my euro-r rear lip underbody spoiler. all the taping points seem to be sticking except those right on top of the exhaust tips. i'm wondering if the heat, again, is affecting the adhesive and causing it to come off.

thanks.

 

Do you park the car outside? Did it rain in the day or two following your installation of the grille and kit? I know one of the things I've read about bodykit installs is to keep the car dry (ie, don't wash it) for a day or two to let the tape adhere properly. If your car got wet that could be what's causing you some issues.

Just a thought!

- Matt

 

^^what matt said is probably true. I think you need to provide proper time for the tape to "bond" to the surfaces. The hair dryer did not work when I tried to take the 3m tape off my M3 trunk spoiler. That stuff was bonded on there for good and the only way to get it off was by using a flat head and then sand paper.

 

i didn't know that there even needed to be double-sided tape with the mugen grille install. this worries me. mine should be coming in in the next couple of weeks, and in oregon we get rain pretty damn often. should i hold off until spring to install my grille? i don't have a garage i can keep my car in.


p.s. got pics?

 

i park outside b/c i rent an apartment. but it didn't rain during that 24 hour period. i made sure the forecast was clear when i installed everything.

the grille should come with tape and if you look at the pics in the instructions, it tells you to use two strips, one on each side of where the bottom of the grille meets the bumper. again, i think part of the issue is the grille doesn't sit totally flush with the bumper, so there's a gap. you kinda have to push down so the tape makes contact with the grille. the other thing is that the temp can get pretty hot since it's exposed to the engine bay.

i don't even know if i should attempt to put on the lip spoiler i got b/c the temps are so screwy now. sometimes it'll get up to 60. at night it drops down to the 30's or 40's.

 

^^The tape should be sticky enough where the grill will not pop back up once you push it down.

The heat from the engine bay also does not help if you have not allowed proper time for the tape to bond to the surfaces. If you give it a good amount of time, I am sure the heat will not affect it. Like I said, the tape is a complete B*TCH to remove once it is bonded correctly.

 

crap. that's not good.

i guess i may just have to wait until it warms up a little to fix this.

would it be stupid to try and squeeze another layer of double-sided tape on the existing piece? or would it be safe to assume a lot of debris has already stuck to the surface since it's exposed already?

the tape is bonded to the bumper really well. just not to the grille.

 

I would just redo the whole thing. Make sure you are using the grey 3m auto tape.

 

do you recommend a specific thickness?

 

is this the stuff?

TAPE

 

Not sure why you guys are getting all hyped over this tape. The mugen grill stayed on fine even without the tape.

Don't apply the tape in cold weather. You're not gonna get good results.

 

I don't think so. It is automotive grade and is specifically for use with body parts. Was the tape you originally used grey??? Here is the specific tape that I used: http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...egoryCode=2101

It's the same stuff they use on the M3 lip spoilers. I would just strip the old tape off, clean the surface, place the new tape on, and press down on it for a couple minutes to let it bond to the two surfaces. I would repeat this throughout the entire day just to make sure it sticks for good.

 

I think I read that if the ambient temperature is below 50* not to try installs involving 3M tape. I know that when I did my Mugen vent visors I had to wait for a particularly warm October day last year.

 

the day i did it was definately above 50. i think there's more going on than just the tape.

thanks for the input, guys. i appreciate it.