Side Skirts From H*ll

[JayShep1]

So Im struggling here and could use some suggestions.. I bought some side skirts, first pair came in really damaged.. Waited another 2 weeks and got my second pair, which also came in damaged, but not nearly as bad. I thought oh well nothing a little sanding and bondo cant fix. So Im fitting them to my car with a heat gun, and realize that i might have to rivet them, which I dont want to do. I look around at other z's and I dont see the skirts riveted, so i wonder how this works. I know that they need to be screwed into the car in the wheel well, but how do you guys get them to sit flush along the car without rivets? Some sort of adhesive?

[demonZ73]

im going to go ahead and put my 2 cents in here and try to help u, i am no professional at this but i will say i ordered a fiberglass demon body kit for my z and my jaw nearly dropped when i put it up to my car, it didant even come close (the side skirts especially) theres a reason why it only cost $600 its because you have to basically be a legit master at putting these things on so after about a year trying to fit this thing the correct way i said F it and i molded the kit right to the car wich means i very securly bolted every part of the body kit to the car then filled in any small gaps w fiberglass filler, i wiuld recomend fiberglass filler for filling small holes and building it up kind of alot because its much stronger than regular body filler, then sand that and then apply body filler, its alot of work but if done right looks great beacause its seemless however u really cannot remove the body kit after, and also some pple might say this is a bad idea because of the fillers may start to crack over time.......well i took my chances with this, anyways hope this helps

[JayShep1]

Yeah I wasnt expecting to have to basically mold them to my car, oh well. But my other skirts were riveted on, and I didnt really like the way it looked, so I was just wondering if there were other ways

[demonZ73]

ya sorry, after reading ur post the 2nd time i kinda relized my plan was much differant, you were looking for more of some type of adhesive, lol sory and goodluck

[JayShep1]

I saw a video on youtube of a guy basically just pressing on a side skirt and have it sticking to the car. Screws were of course mounted on both ends and underneath the car, but none on the side. Does anyone know what this adhesive stripping is?

[mrmoose]

I glued mine with bondo, worked like a charm. Just mix it with a good amout of hardener so it cures fast and you are not stuck holding it on for hours. Also clean both surfaces up good with around 80 grit sand paper for good adhesion.

On a side not the tape my buddies used on their cars is butyl tape. Supe strong nasty stuff. I think they might have it at hadware stores as it's for use in home improvement projects.

[JayShep1]

Ok might have to try that. Thanks for the ideas.

[ReconZ]

Ok, I'm going to go with the idea that you don't want to permanently affix the kit to the body. I'm saying that, in part because of you did and then had to replace a panel...let's just say it could make things more than interesting. If you don't have to cut the skirts and mend them to a correct size, stay clear of the fiberglass. It's great for modding a poor fitting kit to get the correct length (measure, cut, mend, install), but you don't use fiberglass filler unless it's going to be permanent. Butyl tape is what we use for sealing gaps and making it weathertight, ie. headlight modding, taillight repair, spoiler install, etc. you NEVER use it to install body kits. You can find the proper 3M adhesive tape online for a decent price, or check with a local custom fabrication shop. Roll it out to length, cut to size, peel off one side of paper, run along inside joinin seam (leaving top layer of paper intact for now). Make a mark in the center of the skirt and slit the paper, leaving dog-ears that will poke up at the top of the skirt. Bolt on skirt on both ends, and it should sag slightly in middle. Lightly lift center of the skirt making sure that it's EXACTLY WHERE YOU WANT IT PLACED! Attach the small exposed area of the 3M double-sided tape to the bottom runner, peel the paper up and out from between the skirt as you use a hand to "smooth" the skirt up in place(forward or backward first, doesn't matter which). Then just complete it by going the other way repeating these steps. Voila, done. Good luck and be careful...3M tape sticks like no other. Ps..make sure you use alcohol to clean and prep the areas that the tape will be adhering to. It makes a world of difference.

[ReconZ]

Here's a link to 3M tape: just to give you and idea. Btw, I am NOT a 3M representative or salesman, just someone who's done countless body kits and projects and I've used them all. I've just found these to work the best.
http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en00 ... utput_html

[JayShep1]

Thats what Im looking for! Thank you. Now to find a place that sells it

[z32loverboy]

+1 on the 3m tape. stuff sticks to everything and doesn't like to come off so be careful

[JayShep1]

Alright thank you all