Hi all, apologies but this is my first posting on here.

I bought a Maxton carbon effect spoiler extension for my MK7.5 (2013) Fiesta ST and wonder if anyone has fitted one and can confirm the 3M tape can withstand an automated car wash? (my local one has the foam strips - not bristles) - I haven't fitted my extension yet but if it can't take the car wash then I'd have to resort to hand washing, which since I live in an apartment (flat) is not easy, as there is no way to do that at home.

Any experiences appreciated!

2 hours ago, STP975 said:

 

... anyone has fitted one and can confirm the 3M tape can withstand an automated car wash?

 

Only do it if you have plenty of replacement 3M pads to re stick. There is no way it will withstand a car wash... Car badges are fine when stuck on through a car wash, but there is too much whiplash effect for an aerial, indeed most car washes will disclaim themselves from any liability on car aerials and usually have a sign up as you drive in. I'm afraid it's a bucket & sponge for you from now on 😅 Welcome to the forum.

EDIT

Ignore advice given in this post - totally misread the question! 🤣 See below from @unofix for proper way forward!

Hello Scott, welcome to the FOC.

Now this is an unusual case, myself and Stephen normally agree on all the threads on here, but in this case I have to say I believe you will be totally fine fitting your spoiler extension, it's all just a matter of preparation.  

You need to thoroughly clean both surfaces using Isopropanol (IPA). Choose a nice warm dry day to do the job so the car is not cold or damp. Use a clean cloth or lots of kitchen paper towels and clean the area of the car where the 3M tape will be sticking (do not use the little sticky pads) so as to get rid of any wax.

Apply the tape and fit the spoiler making sure to get it right first time, the tape will stick firmly as soon as it touches the car. Press down all along the spoiler and try and keep it dry for 24 hours. Wait at least 7 days before using a car wash, but after then it should be totally fine and stuck.

Isopropanol (IPA) can be got from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=isopropyl+alcohol&crid=B581R1CEQKW2&sprefix=iso%2Caps%2C179&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_2_3

3M automotive double sided tape, can be got from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=automotive+3m+double+sided+tape&adgrpid=124604430440&gclid=CjwKCAjwjZmTBhB4EiwAynRmD62gocCOLx3ArEc-d4cdZfCUm1ss7txzogF7J7BXWr3BiAdrTWCxAxoCmL8QAvD_BwE&hvadid=520624508380&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=1006688&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=448586744832823375&hvtargid=kwd-309218923661&hydadcr=6877_1813022&tag=googhydr-21&ref=pd_sl_339bbdrajb_e

How about taking a bucket with shampoo to the local jet wash. Rinse down the car, fill the bucket, wash with MF mitt, rinse then dry. 

The thought of a drive through gives me shivers.

11 minutes ago, unofix said:

Now this is an unusual case, myself and Stephen normally agree on all the threads on here, but in this case I have to say I believe you will be totally fine fitting your spoiler extension, it's all just a matter of preparation.  

 

LOL, I totally misread the OP. I thought it was a CF aerial extension, totally skipped it was a spoiler extension!! It's OK @unofix, we are again in sync and in entire agreement! I totally concur with you preparation routine, and have often stuck things on cars using that method to good effect. The ONLY thing I would add is that if possible, try and do the sticking on a warm day to aid the adhesion, or at the very least, warm all parts using a hair dryer... See, we're friends again!

Loads of YouTube vids where it states the 3m tape is not good enough hence why people use tiger seal or some sort of stronger glue 

1 hour ago, Kenny_stline said:

Loads of YouTube vids where it states the 3m tape is not good enough hence why people use tiger seal or some sort of stronger glue 

3M is a brand, there are many different tapes sold under that brand, you need to select the correct one for the job! People stating it's not good enough, have just used the wrong one.

https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/p/c/tapes/bonding-mounting-transfer/bonding/i/automotive/

https://www.3m.co.uk/3M/en_GB/p/d/b40065688/

Hi, and thanks to all who replied, all excellent comments. The spoiler extension lip has proper branded Scotch 3M tape on it from new, and I do have Tiger-Seal, but on a white car, I may not be able to get a good strip down without it being visible. I had also thought about bolting the extension on after it's adhered, using small self tapping screws with cap heads, via small pilot holes - but not decided on that yet. The extension is black carbon and the car of course is white, so black cap-head self tappers may look just fine on the upper edge of the extension, though that would probably be a last resort.

I used to avoid the old style carwashes when they were bristle based for obvious reasons, but the new units are soft foam strips so haven't seen any paint issues yet. Being white, it does get really dirty and so gets washed once a week. I can revert to using a gun wash of course, but I never use the manky brush on my paintwork, only on the wheels and the jet gun no matter how strong, never gets the dirt off properly. I wish we had a driveway....maybe one day!

Because I live in the City centre, there is always a massive queue behind you when going into the gun wash, puts a bit of pressure on you not to mess about. So I go with the drive through one.

2 minutes ago, STP975 said:

I can revert to using a gun wash of course, but I never use the manky brush on my paintwork, only on the wheels and the jet gun no matter how strong, never gets the dirt off properly. I wish we had a driveway....maybe one day!

Pressure gun and snowfoam is a nice regular chore. I'm sure you'll get a driveway sometime...

Now that's how I'd like to be able to do it...