I just received my lip spoiler for my SSM '04 TL 6MT. I plan on not drilling but using the double sided tape method which is already on the spoiler.

Problem is the company who sold it to me says to not install in cold weather as the adhesive won't work.

It is 20 degrees today and will not be rising above any kind of installable temperature for, MONTHS...

Anyone else run into this problem? What was your solution???

 

adhesives usually don't stick as well in cold weather. also clean the surface of the car very well so that there is no dirt layer between the spoiler and the trunk.

 

I know they don't stick will in this cold weather. That is why I asked for solutions. I also am aware that the surface must be cleaned. Please help me by responding to the question,
SOLUTIONS!

 

One option is to use a hardryer or similar impliment while securing the item to the trunk. Is it just a cold in your garage? As long as you give adhesive sufficient time and it is not freezing outside, you should be ok.

Why no screws? They are really easy to drill for and ensure that the spoiler stays in place.

 

It will not be above freezing for sometime and unfortunately, my garage is not heated. Do you have an idea how long it will take the adhesive to setup? The hairdryer sounds like a good idea but I am not sure if it will work in this temperature.

(MUST,,,MOVE,,,,SOUTH!!!)

 

I've got nothin...sorry...born, raised, and still living in So-Cal, so this is not a problem I have ever had to overcome. I would assume that you just need to get the surface to a room temperature, stick the thing on, and just run the dryer back and forth for a veryshort period of time, all should be well. Maybe someone with more experience can chime in.

 

where'd you get the lip spoiler from and how much did you pay for it. I'm looking into getting one

 

A hairdryer would be useless, by the time you heated one side the other side would have cooled down already. See if you can rent or even buy a kerosene heater or equivalent for your garage (they're not that expensive and you can always use it when you need to work on you car). You're going to need a couple of days for the adhesive to set other wise the spoiler will definitely go flying off the back.

 

Moral to this story sounds like this: Do not purchase a lip spoiler with the intention of installing in the winter months if you live in a godforsaken place like Cleveland. Unless, you have access to a heated garage for 48 hours or more.

(Sans the drill holes)..

 

Check ebay. $190 delivered. not OEM, but I guarantee you will not notice the difference in quality etc..

 

I just looked at taking off the decklid and bringing it inside. Jesus, I'm desparate.
I am sure I would do more damage taking it off by myself than it is worth...

 

Yo .. you need to relax pal... it's just a spoiler. No offense, really, but relax.

I installed the very lip spoiler you are about to install on my own SSM 5AT ..

(www.cardomain.com/id/peterubers) for pics

One thing you CAN do to heat just that portion of your decklid:

1) go draw some very very hot water from your bathtub into a plastic bucket.
2) Soak some rags/towels/beach towels in the hot water and continue running hot hot water in the bucket (while its in the tub, of course b/c it will overflow).
3) when you're sure the towels are up to peak temp, bring the bucket outside, and place the towels on top of your decklid.
4) let them sit there for a good minute or two .. it'll uniformly heat the decklid to useable temperature.
5) as SOON as two minutes are up, remove the towels, dry the decklid, and be prepared (with a buddy) to adhere the decklid for permanent install.
6) I removed all three 3M strips from my spoiler, and purchased my own 3M tape from home depot (wider strips) and installed only two strips (seamless, and it was just as wide as the spoiler) .. therefore, there were NO gaps b/w strips of 3M tape.
7) given that you have done #6... apply your decklid, firmly press both ends at the same time (hence your buddy should be around helping you). Then reapply the towels over the decklid spoiler and decklid (have a friend draw up another bucket w/ freshly warm towels) ..

8) this should do the trick

You are desperate, obviously, so desperate times call for desperate measures.

Now chill out and try this method!

 

btw .. i've had my decklid spoiler installed now for nearly 5 months .. had it in every type of weather condition you can imagine .. and it's solid. This thing ain't coming off... if it does, it's taking the OEM paint off my decklid with it!

 

honestly, you dont need to be a jerk. the guy was just saying some simple things not to forget. when you are in a situation, it is very easy to forget things like that. i am dissapointed in the hostility that you have towards another TL owner.... in fact, to anybody whether they owned a TL or not. he didnt really have a solution but just reminded you on the basics

 

gman: Again? Come on - be cool around here. PLEASE.

I bought a space heater and put it in my garage. Left it on for a few hours, then took a hair dryer, heated the trunk lid, and the tape on the lip spoiler. Then stuck it on. It takes extra time to heat of course, but it works.

But please, chill. This very well may offend you, but BMW and Benz forums have the attitude you have - I see it all the time when I am reading on their forums. This forum, on the other hand, is full of Acura drivers who generally are a little more nice, calm, and peaceful. You are going to get different responses from everybody. Your threads are going to get filled with answers to other peoples questions as they ask them - it is the nature of forums. I think you need to relax a little bit, you will eventually get the answers you are looking for - it just takes time.

 

OMG!

All this abuse. Wow, You guys have really turned into sissies. It was just a post to reiterate my request. Sorry guys. It must be the lack of sunshine here. Did you see my post after that, I even threw in some sarcasm. Must have gone overlooked.

Sorry to all members whom felt the wrath of my single post. Should I happen to meet any of you in the future, I would be happy to buy you a drink. See, I am not that bad of a guy after all.

Sorry guys. I will have to bite my tongue. After all Patel, I am a BMW guy.

Go Roadfly!! and Acurazine...

 

I know you are a BMW guy - that's why I said it (I'll be honest, it was to get your attention)

Really? Will you buy me a drink? Sure I'm still underage - but...... Just checking?

Now, on another note, since we are all going to be friends here... did you happen to post pictures of your car? You should if you havn't same with signing in (first page of the forum has sign in for new owners..incase you missed it). When you do the lip spoiler, take lots of pics, post how you managed to do it in the cold weather for future people - if you don't mind of course. I am sure it will save somebody else the trouble in the future.

 

Okay.. Did the install today. used a heat gun to 'warmup' the decklid and kept the lip in the house. Installed in 5 minutes. Lined it up by myself. Continued to use the heatgun for another 5 minutes. It is on rock solid. No need to do anything else. BTW, It was 19 degrees for a high today.
Ron Ashe with Trimking whom sells these on ebay for $170 was a great help. Great company, great service. Don't pay the OEM price. Not worth the extra $$$$. Save it for other mods.