GFX diffuser not staying on! Help please! - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Rafael205 · 07-25-2013, 07:53 AM

Hi everyone,
About a month ago I bought the rear piece of the GFX package from a member and had a local person install it. The installation didn't look bad, until a couple weeks ago I started noticing some gaps in the double sided tape area, only to find that the double sided tape is giving out. I'm going to re-do the taping myself and drill a hole somewhere in the wheel well so I can be able to stick something down there to help support it. Any suggestions?? Oh and by the way, the guy that did the installation refuses to re-do the installation.. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

01pewterz28 · 07-25-2013, 08:56 AM

IMHO this will happen if the area is not cleaned super well with alcohol it’s very important that it’s super clean then use blue painters tape to keep tight to the bumper until the tape a hear to the bumper. The key I found when I helped a fellow member with his was apply the double sited tape to the rear diffuser piece let it sit for 2-3 days so it will a hear to the diffuser, then put it on the rear bumper keep pressure on it and use the blue painters tape applied for 24 hours. This is a 2 person job to make sure it’s on even as you only have 1 shot.

Rafael205 · 07-25-2013, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01pewterz28

IMHO this will happen if the area is not cleaned super well with alcohol it’s very important that it’s super clean then use blue painters tape to keep tight to the bumper until the tape a hear to the bumper. The key I found when I helped a fellow member with his was apply the double sited tape to the rear diffuser piece let it sit for 2-3 days so it will a hear to the diffuser, then put it on the rear bumper keep pressure on it and use the blue painters tape applied for 24 hours. This is a 2 person job to make sure it’s on even as you only have 1 shot.

Yeah I was wanting to assume that the surface wasn't properly cleaned as soon as this started to happen.. Any tips on removing the residual tape before I apply the new double sided tape?

Rafael205 · 07-25-2013, 09:58 AM

By the way, sorry for the the dirty car, I'm afraid that washing it will only make this worse..

willhe64 · 07-25-2013, 11:38 AM

My Kit has spacer block and 2 plastic rivets that went in at the bottom wheel well (pic 2). The guy who did your kit missed an important step. I'm betting that is why it is pulling away.

Download the install instructions from the first post of this thread.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59669

Take a look at Figures 13,14,17 and 18. You'll see what I mean.

Rafael205 · 07-25-2013, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willhe64

My Kit has spacer block and 2 plastic rivets that went in at the bottom wheel well (pic 2). The guy who did your kit missed an important step. I'm betting that is why it is pulling away.

Download the install instructions from the first post of this thread.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59669

Take a look at Figures 13,14,17 and 18. You'll see what I mean.

I see what you mean, where might I find these clips and appropriate rivets?

willhe64 · 07-25-2013, 01:00 PM

Well they came with the kit. I'm guessing your installer threw them out. I don't know if you can buy them separately.

LIM3 · 07-25-2013, 01:09 PM

The area was not cleaned properly. The installer was aware of that and that's why he refuses to fix it.

Clay bar that area and make sure it is clean of any dirt, wipe it down with rubbing alcohol.
Then do the install mentioned above.

Also, look into filling a complaint on him and if payed with a credit car file for a refund if possible

Airmaster · 07-25-2013, 02:04 PM

Alright, this just happened to me with my RX Sport diffuser. Here's what you need to do.

(I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MISTAKES OR DAMAGE)

1- Go to Advance Auto or Autozone and get the 3M double sided Automotive grade adhesive tape as well as a can of ACETONE. Buy a scraper if you don't have that too.

2- Remove the entire bumper assembly.

3- Carefully scrape off all the old adhesive. Take your time, it is a time consuming process!

4- Use blue painters tape or something similar to mask off any of the painted surface on your diffuser.

5- Use the acetone to clean off ALL REMNANTS of the old adhesive. Use paper towels! Again, take your time, it takes a while. (BTW do NOT get the acetone on your paint, it will strip it, that's what the masking tape was for)

6- Use masking tape again on your Camaro's bumper to protect from the acetone.

7- Clean off the bumper on your Camaro with the acetone on all contact points where the diffuser's adhesive will need to adhere to. Again use paper towels.

8- Ensure the diffuser's contact points are very clean. Apply the 3M tape to the diffuser.

9- Cut different areas of the 3M tape so you can lift off the backing while you place your diffuser on.

10- Ensure the Camaro's bumper's contact points are very clean. Grab a partner and bring the diffuser to the bumper and take off the backing as you slowly push the diffuser in place.

11- Put pressure and place something up against it to hold it just for a while.

12- Do not drive for 24 hours just in case.

13- Enjoy your repair like I did.

Amazing how many people responded to your thread but not a single one to mine two days ago lmao. Oh well, I figured it out and now at least I can pass along these steps.

Rafael205 · 07-25-2013, 04:02 PM

Thanks for the input everyone! Air master, im going to go with your process, but do you think it would be ok if I used a different remover for the adhesive? Maybe something more "paint friendly"?

willhe64 · 07-25-2013, 04:14 PM

You've got to secure it at the bottom of the wheel well as per the installation instructions or it will just work loose again.

Airmaster · 07-25-2013, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafael205

Thanks for the input everyone! Air master, im going to go with your process, but do you think it would be ok if I used a different remover for the adhesive? Maybe something more "paint friendly"?

Isopropyl (or even denatured) alcohol is more paint friendly, as such it doesn't have the same power of acetone lol. If you are very careful acetone makes removing the old stuff so much easier. Alcohol might not get it all off properly.

I tired alcohol first, then Goof Off, and finally after not getting very far, went out and bought the acetone. Smartest move I made all day.

And btw, whatever extra installation instructions there are for your particular diffuser make sure you follow those too!

Rafael205 · 07-26-2013, 01:25 AM

Alright, does anyone know where I can find the wheel well brackets that connect the diffuser to the rear fascia??? If I don't install these or something similar the diffuser will probably fall off again...

willhe64 · 07-26-2013, 12:28 PM

PM the chevrolet customer service rep on this forum. See if he can help.

F.Y.I. I thought those plastic rivets were Mickey duck. One holds the block in place and the lowest one goes through the GFX, block and Fender. I replaced the second with a 1/4" x 1.5" Stainless Bolt and nylock with washers.

07-25-2013, 07:53 AM	#1
Rafael205 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Euless, Texas Posts: 527	GFX diffuser not staying on! Help please! Hi everyone, About a month ago I bought the rear piece of the GFX package from a member and had a local person install it. The installation didn't look bad, until a couple weeks ago I started noticing some gaps in the double sided tape area, only to find that the double sided tape is giving out. I'm going to re-do the taping myself and drill a hole somewhere in the wheel well so I can be able to stick something down there to help support it. Any suggestions?? Oh and by the way, the guy that did the installation refuses to re-do the installation.. Any help would be appreciated, thanks! Attached Images

07-25-2013, 08:56 AM	#2
01pewterz28 #TeamBeckyD Drives: 2017 HBM 2SS Convertible A8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 10,494 View My Garage	IMHO this will happen if the area is not cleaned super well with alcohol it’s very important that it’s super clean then use blue painters tape to keep tight to the bumper until the tape a hear to the bumper. The key I found when I helped a fellow member with his was apply the double sited tape to the rear diffuser piece let it sit for 2-3 days so it will a hear to the diffuser, then put it on the rear bumper keep pressure on it and use the blue painters tape applied for 24 hours. This is a 2 person job to make sure it’s on even as you only have 1 shot. __________________ #TeamBeckyD FIFTY HBM 2SS VERT

07-25-2013, 11:38 AM	#5
willhe64 Drives: 2012 45th Vert, 2011 4x4, 9sec Vega Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,188	My Kit has spacer block and 2 plastic rivets that went in at the bottom wheel well (pic 2). The guy who did your kit missed an important step. I'm betting that is why it is pulling away. Download the install instructions from the first post of this thread. http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59669 Take a look at Figures 13,14,17 and 18. You'll see what I mean. __________________ I feel it only fair to warn you, I have a black belt in CAPS LOCK.

07-25-2013, 01:00 PM	#7
willhe64 Drives: 2012 45th Vert, 2011 4x4, 9sec Vega Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,188	Well they came with the kit. I'm guessing your installer threw them out. I don't know if you can buy them separately. __________________ I feel it only fair to warn you, I have a black belt in CAPS LOCK.

07-25-2013, 01:09 PM	#8
LIM3 it's mind bottling.. Drives: SGM Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: miami floirda. Posts: 5,392	The area was not cleaned properly. The installer was aware of that and that's why he refuses to fix it. Clay bar that area and make sure it is clean of any dirt, wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. Then do the install mentioned above. Also, look into filling a complaint on him and if payed with a credit car file for a refund if possible __________________

07-25-2013, 09:58 AM	#4
Rafael205 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Euless, Texas Posts: 527	By the way, sorry for the the dirty car, I'm afraid that washing it will only make this worse..

07-25-2013, 02:04 PM	#9
Airmaster Go Gators! Drives: Camaro Jeep Abarth 944 325i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: CT Posts: 844	Alright, this just happened to me with my RX Sport diffuser. Here's what you need to do. (I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR MISTAKES OR DAMAGE) 1- Go to Advance Auto or Autozone and get the 3M double sided Automotive grade adhesive tape as well as a can of ACETONE. Buy a scraper if you don't have that too. 2- Remove the entire bumper assembly. 3- Carefully scrape off all the old adhesive. Take your time, it is a time consuming process! 4- Use blue painters tape or something similar to mask off any of the painted surface on your diffuser. 5- Use the acetone to clean off ALL REMNANTS of the old adhesive. Use paper towels! Again, take your time, it takes a while. (BTW do NOT get the acetone on your paint, it will strip it, that's what the masking tape was for) 6- Use masking tape again on your Camaro's bumper to protect from the acetone. 7- Clean off the bumper on your Camaro with the acetone on all contact points where the diffuser's adhesive will need to adhere to. Again use paper towels. 8- Ensure the diffuser's contact points are very clean. Apply the 3M tape to the diffuser. 9- Cut different areas of the 3M tape so you can lift off the backing while you place your diffuser on. 10- Ensure the Camaro's bumper's contact points are very clean. Grab a partner and bring the diffuser to the bumper and take off the backing as you slowly push the diffuser in place. 11- Put pressure and place something up against it to hold it just for a while. 12- Do not drive for 24 hours just in case. 13- Enjoy your repair like I did. Amazing how many people responded to your thread but not a single one to mine two days ago lmao. Oh well, I figured it out and now at least I can pass along these steps. __________________ '13 Camaro, '97 Wrangler, '12 500 Abarth, '85.5 944, '06 325i Suspension Mods: BMR and JPSS Sways, BMR Poly Bushings, BMR strut tower brace, BMR control arms, BMR toe arms, stock springs and struts Engine Mods: All bolt ons (haha) Brake Mods: Brembo SS caliper swap front and rear

07-25-2013, 04:02 PM	#10
Rafael205 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Euless, Texas Posts: 527	Thanks for the input everyone! Air master, im going to go with your process, but do you think it would be ok if I used a different remover for the adhesive? Maybe something more "paint friendly"?

07-25-2013, 04:14 PM	#11
willhe64 Drives: 2012 45th Vert, 2011 4x4, 9sec Vega Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,188	You've got to secure it at the bottom of the wheel well as per the installation instructions or it will just work loose again. __________________ I feel it only fair to warn you, I have a black belt in CAPS LOCK.

07-26-2013, 01:25 AM	#13
Rafael205 Drives: 2011 Camaro LS Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Euless, Texas Posts: 527	Alright, does anyone know where I can find the wheel well brackets that connect the diffuser to the rear fascia??? If I don't install these or something similar the diffuser will probably fall off again...

07-26-2013, 12:28 PM	#14
willhe64 Drives: 2012 45th Vert, 2011 4x4, 9sec Vega Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,188	PM the chevrolet customer service rep on this forum. See if he can help. F.Y.I. I thought those plastic rivets were Mickey duck. One holds the block in place and the lowest one goes through the GFX, block and Fender. I replaced the second with a 1/4" x 1.5" Stainless Bolt and nylock with washers. __________________ I feel it only fair to warn you, I have a black belt in CAPS LOCK.