Finished installing my OEM CF trunk spoiler.

[dondula]

Hey all, Promise pictures to come tomorrow as soon as i remove all the securing tape.

I went ahead and decided to save myself a couple hundred bucks and installed my CF trunk spoiler myself. After reading every DIY I could find and reading the Beta Link instructions over and over again, I did it.

The beta link is such a mess let me tell you...

So here is my two questions.

I spread the beta link thin on the rear flat serfaces under the spoiler. I applied a little extra on each corner end of the spoiler as well. As for the bottom front edge of the spoiler, the edge is so thin, i didn't see how i could place any beta link on it so I didn't. I only put beta link of the flat serfaces as instructed to. I hope this is ok? can anyone let me know?

its been about 6 hours since I placed the spoiler on. i just hope I put enough. I didn't go crazy and put alot, just thin light coats and made sure the entire spoiler made contact..

does it take a full 24 to 48 hours for this stuff to turn rock hard? because some of the dried beta link on my towels is still kinda gummy, not sticky but its not rock rock hard either.

if anyone can answer both these questions I would appriciate it. thanks all and happy new year!

[pseto]

I put on as much as I could, taped down the spoiler, and let it cure overnight. It's a 2 person job IMO b/c we spent a lot of time cleaning up the excess betalink and it wanted to make sure the fit was perfect, especially the corners

[Moxie]

Originally Posted by dondula

I went ahead and decided to save myself a couple hundred bucks and installed my CF trunk spoiler myself.

It's only 30 minutes labor if you remove the old one. I was driving it 8 hours after install.

[roddyc]

I don't think it is supposed to turn rock hard; my understanding is that the entire point of using betalink over an epoxy was to allow for a little bit of flex. I drove mine after letting it cure overnight.

Whenever I clay the car now, even after 6 months, I still manage to pick up a little bit of betalink residue from the seam between the spoiler and the trunk. I wish I would have done a more thorough job cleaning up immediately after I finished; it so much easier to remove when it is fresh.

[dondula]

So, I did this in a two step process. I used beta link on all the flat surface areas on the spoiler and extra on both sides corners. The front edge of the spoiler that lays on a flat angle on the top of the trunk lid I had used 0 glue because the surface area is not large enou to hold any glue without making a complete mess. So now that the beta link I applied yesterday is cured fully and the spoiler is locked into place, i took my left over glue I saved from yesterday and squirted it along the outer edge that no glue was applied to yesterday. This is the edges of the spoiler that lay flat on the trunk lid.. I then used a plastic card that's thinner than a credit card and pushed the bead of beta link glue I placed along the spoiler and started to push the glue under the edges of the spoiler. I then used the left over cleaner and cleaned everything very well. Now the spoiler has contact with the glue all the way around.

No one ever says in their DIY if you need glue on this particular area of the spoiler, it would seem you don't use glue because the edge is too thin... If I did this all at once yesterday's, the cleanup would be too intense and the spoiler would be sliding everywhere moving out of position while I would try to clean all the extra glue off, so my advise to anyone thinking of doing this yourself is to do this in a two step process like I did. Secure the flat adhesion areas of the spoiler with beta link, let set for 24 hours, next day, do the front outer edge by running a nice bead of glue and lift up the lips edge with a think plastic card then run it across allowing the glue to seep underneath. Press the edges firm to make sure the spoiler makes contact with the beta link. The first day I would use painters tape to secure the spoiler down tight. The second day, you won't need to secure the fron edge down because it will make nice contact with the beta link on its own.

My advise is, take your time. Some say it takes 30 minutes, but if you're a protectionist like me, the first part will take you 1 hour, and the second day for the front edge will take you 15 minutes.

Don't be scared if you make a mess, there is no way to do this without glue getting messy, the beta link cleaner works amazing, just clean up with in 20 to 30 minutes and take your time cleaning. That's what takes the longest. I'm very happy with the outcome and glad not only that I saved money from the dealer doing it, but I also feel like I spent more time and care installing it then the dealer would have.

[dondula]

Also to add, for proper bonding with beta link, don't glue in temps lower than 60 and higher than 80 degrees

[Teeopi]

What part of Michigan u locate at? I am down for this DIY when it gets warmer as well

[carbon//m3]

Nice work! I love mine as well I used double sided 3m tape on mine though.

[THE TECH]

Looks good.

[BMW Fanatic]

FYI; I drove mine like 5 minutes after they were done securing it using betalink. Looks good.

[Biker]

Originally Posted by pseto

I put on as much as I could, taped down the spoiler, and let it cure overnight. It's a 2 person job IMO b/c we spent a lot of time cleaning up the excess betalink and it wanted to make sure the fit was perfect, especially the corners

Looks nice! I'd like to replace the stock with cf spoiler when it's get warmer as well.

[BLACK OPS]

Nice Job!

[Schom]

Originally Posted by Biker

Looks nice! I'd like to replace the stock with cf spoiler when it's get warmer as well.

Ok dumb question here, does the CF replace the stock spoiler? Or does the cf go over the top and attach to the stock spoiler? If the first is true, how do you get the stock off?

[maxenar]

Originally Posted by Schom

Ok dumb question here, does the CF replace the stock spoiler? Or does the cf go over the top and attach to the stock spoiler? If the first is true, how do you get the stock off?

It looks like it's definitely a replacement (i.e. it does NOT go on top of the stock one). I removed my rear spoiler with lots of heat, patience and prying. Then cleanup with 3M adhesive cleaner.

[Schom]

Got it. Thanks for the reply.

[SumoJax]

Looks great!!! Would this fit on a e93?? Having a hard time sourcing one that would fit. Any leads?

[Nati Beastcat]

Originally Posted by SumoJax

Looks great!!! Would this fit on a e93?? Having a hard time sourcing one that would fit. Any leads?

I think it's E90 and E92 only. For the oem BMW spoiler that is.

[Nordstat]

Originally Posted by Nati Beastcat

I think it's E90 and E92 only. For the oem BMW spoiler that is.

^ this.

P.S. 3M FTW for this kind of job. No need for Betalink IMO.

[e92livin]

Will dried up betalink around the spoiler come off? or is it there for good?

[tinman831]

Originally Posted by e92livin

Will dried up betalink around the spoiler come off? or is it there for good?

It will come off. It's just a hassle to clean up.

[e92livin]

Originally Posted by tinman831

It will come off. It's just a hassle to clean up.

What did you use ?