I read in another post about a couple of people taping on there titanium skid plates they purchased from hill engineering, does anyone have any feed back on how well they held up being taped on ? I tried doing a pm to one of the people but there mailbox was full Thanks MArk
No way. Bolt them on properly. (It's hard to be any more direct.... 'cept my daddy always said, "any job worth doing, is worth doing right")
Mark: Cleared my Inbox, so PM me if you wish. I double side taped mine on three 360, and never had a problem. One car was located in Tokyo and during winter around 38 degree F temperature still did not have any problem. I had discussed using double sided tape with Paul at Hill Engineering and subsequently he made the titanium plates without mounting screw holes specifically for me. If I remember correctly, Paul had said double sided tape is sometimes used in fixturing parts during machining process. It's important to thoroughly clean both the skid plates and bumper so the tape will establish a good bond. Should do it in room temperature. And don't touch the sticky surface of tape with your fingers as oil from skin will diminish the bond. 3M makes a automotive grade tape (black foam core) that works very well. Other top quality tape should also work well. I did not like the idea of drilling holes in my bumper to afix the skid plates. Not just because I don't want to drill holes, but in the unlikely event that the front edge of the skid plate is caught on a curb, then the worse case with tape is that skid plates may shear-off off the tape. With screws, you may rip out large chunks of the bumper. For poly-ethelene or plastic type of skid plates, I also used double sided tape on my 430. Did it just two months ago so I can not atest to the durability of using double sided tape on plastic material.
You say this because...????? Double sided tape worked for me on 4 of my cars now, so I'm perfectly comfortable with it. If screws makes you happy then by all means screw the skid plates down. BTW where I am located, 99% of license plates are affixed to cars by double sided tape. And it's extremely difficult to remove them. At times it feels as if you'll peel off the paint before the tape will rip.
Some new tapes are so strong they are being used in structural (body panel to body panel) applications instred of conventional adhesive or spot welds.
The correct term for the tape is "Mounting Tape". It is very strong. I bet you could use it to attach a car battery to the side of my tool box a foot off the ground. I think it is a great idea. I'm going to try it. If the skid plate gets smeared off it wont take a big piece of the bumper with it. Well maybe it will, that stuff really is strong.
Just fitted the nylon ones from Hills on my 360 challenge. Had the steel ones on my 355. Bolts are the only way to go if they are doing their job.
I don't get it, aren't skid plates supposed to protect the chassis and critical engine/suspension components from damage? Or are you guys talking about the little metal rubbing places just affixed to teh bottom of the bumer to protect the cosmetic lip?
You're talking about the underpanels. The skid plates are affixed at the front of the bumper to protect against scrapes.
The are only supposed to protect from dragging, not a crash landing. But then I don't drive like the dukes of hazard.
Can someone tell me where to buy this "mounting Tape?" Does it come in black? I like the tape idea because of all the reasons stated above. Thanks
First of all, search for my other threads on this. I made my own skid plates for my 430 and taped them on. They have survived numerous scrapes, including very high speed impacts at speed at the track. For those folks how are saying tape won't work--they either haven't used it, used the wrong tape, or have a very unique experience/situation. I have hooked one other local 430 owner with my plates--they were taped on, and his plates have survived multiple track impacts. (I feel like saying "So there!" but the stuff works. A lot of trim, spoilers, etc. on current vehicles is attached with this stuff. That includes the Acura factory fender flairs and spoiler on my MDX.) The item number is 06397, and the description is: scotch mount double coated automotive acrylic foam tape gray 1/2inch 10yard 1.8mm (the color is really black, though). Cost should be about $16. I purchased mine from a local auto paint supply store. You also should consider using the prep solvent (the 3M website has all of the technical details you would need).
I used 3M structural tape when I mounted mine two months ago - and am pleased with the result. I actually would prefer the plate to shear on impact versus tearing/cracking the bumper.... Stu
^Thanks Scotty and Sezme, I have no qualms with using tape, in fact I think it is far superior to drilling holes in a $100K+ car. I plan on buying the plates from Premier Motorsport and using the tape to install them. I'll buy some from you Scotty if you're willing to sell. Let me know. Thanks.
I used heavy duty 3M mounting tape which I got from Home Depot. I cut the strips so they covered the entire skid pad and stuck them on after I washed and cleaned the area where the pads were to be attached and the pads themselves. Worked great; no problems at all with them feeling loose whatsoever. BTW, you do know there are stock elements of the 430 which are literally taped onto the car itself. Such as the small silver "pinanfarina" signs on the sides of the car and if I am not mistaken, the "Ferrari" sign on the top rear of the car. /jim
If you don't like the tape idea, you can always use the glue we use on boats. It's called "Mr. Sticky" underwater glue. That stuff is insane. I use it (and JB weld) on everything. Mr. Sticky is better on fiberglass and plastics than JB weld. JB weld is good on aluminum and anything without a super slick surface. http://www.a-a-i.net/products.htm Most boat stores sell it. You can probably find it on ebay. Ray
Paging Mr. Thomas Andrews, Paging Mr. Thomas Andrews... White Star is on the line... (heh, too bad they didn't have that stuff in 1912!!!)
How have you guys who taped on your skid plates gotten on? I have my car in for some paint items soon and want to get them to fit skid plates, the thing is if mountain tape has stood the test of time I prefer that route!
The longest I owned a car with plates is my '98 M3, which I bought in 2006. It has plates on and they are still holding strong.
