Anyone install a sharkfin antenna?

[kastegir]

I bought one of those sharkfin antennas from visualgarage.com. The paint match is perfect and it looks great, but I can't get it to stick properly. I followed their instructions to the letter, but I've got a 3" section along one side that's pulling away from the roof. It's not falling off, just leaving a gap of about 1/2 MM between the adhesive gasket and the roof. It's still on there very firmly, but I want a complete seal so stuff doesn't get under there, etc. Anyone have ideas about how to get it to stick?

The company has offered to sell me another adhesive gasket for about $10, but I'm thinking there must be a simpler solution than taking the whole thing off, cleaning off the residue, applying the new gasket to the antenna and trying again.

Any ideas?

[Aka.Beave]

I bet you didn't get all your wax/polish off the car before you stuck it down and thats why the tape didn't stick worth a crap. so if i were you, i would order a new gasket, take the old one off, get some wax and grease remover, and clean the roof really well before you stick the new one down. then, re-wax the area on the roof. you can buy the wax and grease remover in a arosol can at wal-mart i believe. Otherwise if you trust me, get some "paint thinner" in that generic can at wal mart - just don't let it sit on the paint for a long time. Thats my two pennies.. otherwise, how do you like that shark fin? does it get good reception?

[kastegir]

Yeah, the reception is comparable to the stock antenna.

It's wierd that it didn't stick, given that I used isopropyl alcohol to clean the area before applying the tape.

I bought a new gasket, and I'll be sure to clean it and then use a wax remover this time...

[Aka.Beave]

cool good luck!!

[IATURBOA4]

I dont think that you have to use that strong of stuff for the antenna to stick i would prob make sure the area is clean and then clay bar the area, its less abrasive then what the other guys are suggesting and it should take all of the residue of so it just clear coat. Then you should have a good seal. Idk you may wanna ask lenny about it he used to be a detailer/ still is one so he would know better then anyone probably

[kastegir]

Good call on the clay bar. That makes a ton of sense.

[kastegir]

OK, finally got around to reapplying the shark fin today. After conferring with the company, they suggested doing it before the car has been out in the hot sun, or after it's cooled off for a better stick. Go figure.
I washed the car, then cleaned the area with Dawn dish soap to strip the wax, then dried it carefully, then went over the area with rubbing alcolol and let it dry.

After all that, I applied the entenna and it appears to be sticking MUCH better. I'm also letting it sit in my garage (out of the 100+ temps) for a while, to allow the adhesive to fully set up.

I'll post some pics after I rewash and wax.

Thanks for all the advice!

[DSV]

Glad to hear its working better this time. From everything I have ever heard about adhesives on cars, it always comes back to prep, prep, prep. You have to prep the surface well and get that paint very clean in order to create the best bond for the adhesive. :tu: