GP Factor Fender Plates 3M tape not holding

[C-Mack]

As the temperatures have changed I’ve noticed my GP Fender Plates 3M tape bond is not holding as I initially installed them in September. Vehicle is garage kept/clean and does not see the elements so I’m a bit surprised to see them lifting so soon. I followed the instructions they provide exactly and was very thorough with the cleaning and paint prep, I also weighted down the plates and let them cure for about a week before I used the vehicle.

Initially everything was great but I’ve noticed the front edge is lifting. It almost looks as if the aluminum plate is starting to cup slightly width wise and lifting up off the fender. These are beautiful plates (better material and looking than OEM) and I really don’t want to have to drill/rivet them down hence the reason I went with them in the first place. I would imagine getting them back off will be a bit of a struggle as I’d like to see what the issue is and reinstall them.

 

[anand]

Getting them off shouldn't be too terribly bad; use floss (or similar) to cut/separate the VHB. A bit of heat will help in removing the VHB (and a 3M adhesive removal wheel for the small bits).

I hit mine with a bit of 3M Adhesion promoter prior to install, but then again, I know we haven't experienced nearly the temps that UT has

 

[Jeffrey]

I was an early proponent of mounting the tread plats with VHB tape. All was well until I noticed a bit of separation. Not long after, I noticed the plate vibrating slightly loose as I drove on the freeway at 70 mph. As I was nearing an exit to check it out, the plate flew off the vehicle and up into the air like a wing, never to be seen again. When I remounted the new ones, I only installed three black rivets and used 1/4" wide tape. Problem solved.

 

[C-Mack]

Thanks for the tips, I figured that would be the process to remove and replace them. I used the 3M adhesion promoter but it still came apart frustratingly. Too nice of a product to give up on so I’ll have to try again I guess.

 

[C-Mack]

I was an early proponent of mounting the tread plats with VHB tape. All was well until I noticed a bit of separation. Not long after, I noticed the plate vibrating slightly loose as I drove on the freeway at 70 mph. As I was nearing an exit to check it out, the plate flew off the vehicle and up into the air like a wing, never to be seen again. When I remounted the new ones, I only installed three black rivets and used 1/4" wide tape. Problem solved.

That’s exactly the scenario I’m concerned about the plates go flying… I do have a set of black rivets as “Plan B” option though. I really don’t want to drill through the fender if I can avoid it and prefer the clean look without rivets but we’ll see how it goes.

I’m curious if the aluminum plates are heating/expanding and cooling at different rates than the fender itself which is the mechanism that eventually causes the tape to fail? Also, could the additional thickness of the GP plates compared to stock make them less likely to conform fully to the fender putting additional pressure on the adhesive tape?