ACS (Replica) Roof Spoiler Install Problems - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

REKIII · 18th September 2009, 22:12

So last winter I got a replica of the spoiler. I got it painted which promptly showed me the flaws of the replica. The paint brought out the knit lines of the plastic as well as the poor seams where the mold came together.

So, I took it back to the painter and they worked all that stuff out and repainted, it looks pritine.

Flash forward to this summer when I try to install it. I went and purchased a couple rolls of the3M automotive double sided tape, cleaned the spoiler and windo with alchohol, did some test fiting and find that the spoiler doesn't perfectly match the curvature of the roof, its a bit flatter, so the center touches before the sides. Now worries as with just a bit of force it flexes into place. I apply tape to all the raised surfaces and stick the spoiler on without removing it to reposition, just aligned and on.

Next morning I coume out and both sides have sprung. I think to myself, wow, you're stupid bob, you know twin stick takes a while to stick. So I grabbed my roll of blue painters tape and tapped the whole spoiler down, painers tape held it no problem. I left it like that for 24 hours.

Pulled the tape off, and within a hour the spoiler had spring. So, I remove it figuring the tape at the end had lost their sticky from being exposed overnight. Wow was the center hard to get off.

A couple weeks later I decide to try again. This time I put tape all over it, and even put 2 layers on the ends creating a taper to combat the spring in the spoiler. I immediately apply painters tape and leave it on for 2 Days, when I removed it, the spoiler was allready pulling a bit and stretching the tape.

I pull the tape off and later that day the spoiler is sprung. I waited a week to pull it off this time and the center was nearly impossible to get off but it came off without kinking or blemishing the spoiler at all.

So now what do I do? There has to be a way to make this thing work, it's so close.

Ideas from those that have installed? Am I using the right stuff? I've alread spent over $30 on stupid tape.

Thanks for any help.

Bob

cknaak · 19th September 2009, 00:20

I had the same problem with a carbon fiber ACS replica spoiler. I think you have to buy a heat gun and get it real hot so that you bend it to the contour of the rear window. This probably should have been done before paint.

I never got around to mine and still have the spoiler in the garage. Good Luck.

azaytsev · 19th September 2009, 00:34

Go to your local BMW dealer and buy a Betalink

Mfreakin5 · 19th September 2009, 01:02

seems like your only option is a heatgun and a little patience. That's the great thing about plastic, it'll bend however you want with a little heat and force.

razahyde · 19th September 2009, 01:03

pics of what it would look like improperly installed?

my genuine ACS fits like a glove...glad i didnt get aftermarket.

azaytsev · 19th September 2009, 01:04

here is the BMW part number for betalink glue 82-69-9-408-866

m5_2nv · 19th September 2009, 03:41

I also have a ACS replica roof spoiler and it went on fine.

I bought there side molding tape (I know you already said there automotive tape but it could be different from what I used??) because mine sticks like glue.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that mine was a little bowed too, and i doubled up the tape on the sides, cant really notice it and it makes up for the tension on the ends so it wont spring back up on you.

It also holds on my genuine ACS side skirts and sticks thru rain/snow and whatever wisconsin throws our way!

Is this the tape you used??

Hdhntr23 · 19th September 2009, 04:11

This is how I did it. I wish I wouldve done the same for my trunk spoiler. Im having the same issues as you with that. I only used painters tape and 4 pressure clamps to hold it down. The ends of my trunk spoiler are still wanting to come up a bit.

The roof spoiler Timmay77 and I used ratchet tie down straps and painters tape. I left it in the sun for a day, in the garage at night back out in the sun all day the next day and in the garage again. We used 1 strap on (hehe I said strap on) the length of the spoiler into the car... thats what the blue blanket is for. We used a second one in the middle to pull it down because it wanted to walk up to the top of the car. We secured the hooks into the cargo net hooks in the trunk. We also used the pressure clamps on the sides of the car to insure it wouldnt walk there either.

Sorry, forgot to add.... COPIOUS amounts of the 3M heavy duty double sided tape in the above post was used on it too. That mofo isnt going anywhere!!!

Hdhntr23 · 19th September 2009, 04:15

Edit.

JCM5 · 19th September 2009, 07:22

I got a replica ACS roof spoiler as well few years ago. Believe me not worth it ...what you pay is what you get... it's horrible, uneven surface,flimsy and won't fit perfectly I regret it, few days later I throw it in the trash can. Get the real thing it's crazy expensive but well worth it for a M5.