HOW TO: Installing IS Side Skirt

[PNWDan]

I cleaned the very top most section with acetone and ran the tape the entire length. My skirts have never moved. The tape the way I did it also stops debris from running down and sitting inside the skirts. To help install the tape, apply the tape to the skirts keeping the backing on it then install the skirts with all the plastic clips on the pinch seam at the bottom. Finally gently pull the backing between the skirt and car. Pull down the length of the car while pressing the skirt to the car. Pretty easy. Prep all surfaces first and you'll never have to mess with them again.

[TrentW]

Well gentlemen, I've changed my mind on the 3M double sided trim tape.

When I installed the first skirt on the passenger side, two of the green grommets pulled out of the hole, creating large, ugly gaps-see photo. I don't know if this was because I had painted my rockers with two coats of POR 15 and that made the seating area of the metal thicker or what, but needless to say, it really pissed me off.



Since I had already drilled all the holes on both sides, I went to Home Depot and found some plastic 3/8" plastic hole plugs and used rtv sealer on them and plugged the holes tight on the driver's side, letting it cure overnight. I left the white grommet (fits 5/16" hole in the rearward part of front fender and fits the round white plug) in place, as for some reason it seated well on both sides. That means you still have plugs in the front and the two plastic rivets in the rear wheelwell in place. I cut tape to fit the tabs where the plastic clips previously were, stuck one side in place on the skirt, leaving the protective strip on the other side. I then dry-fitted the skirt with the help of my wife to check fitment and determine where exactly to place the skirt for final installation. This is important--once the tape is stuck, it's stuck! Then it's just a matter of lining it up and pressing it on, again using a helper. Came out perfect and held fine at highway speeds on my way to the Windy City BMWCCA VintageFest last weekend. Now I've just got to redo the passenger side cause that gap is driving me nuts. Hope this helps.

[bernzpeed]

I realized that you had used 12 of the same green grommets for your install. I bought my skirts and hardware from Blunttech and they sent me 12 of the green ones and 2 of the smaller white grommets for a total of 14. I noticed you skipped one of the plugs, using a total of 12. The o.d. of the white plugs is smaller, which explains them fitting the 5/16" hole, rather than the 3/8" for the green ones. The inside hole looks to be the same however--see photo.

Possibly you were shorted the 2 white grommets?

that's a possibility. it was just easier to order all of the same part nos.
but you are right that the plug that goes in the white grommet, goes in a little bit tougher than the others.

[TrentW]

I realized that you had used 12 of the same green grommets for your install. I bought my skirts and hardware from Blunttech and they sent me 12 of the green ones and 2 of the smaller white grommets for a total of 14. I noticed you skipped one of the plugs, using a total of 12. The o.d. of the white plugs is smaller, which explains them fitting the 5/16" hole, rather than the 3/8" for the green ones. The inside hole looks to be the same however--see photo.

Possibly you were shorted the 2 white grommets?

[bernzpeed]

no i had the plugs on the skirt and pushed hard on it. it's not that bad at all. With regards to the size of the hole, the plugs went in without a hitch using the same green grommet.

it could be possible to slide it in but will be a pain in the butt to align since the plugs can turn.

thanks for the observation though. i'm sure people can use the info. in the future.

[TrentW]

i installed the plugs into the grommets first and then did the bottom clips.

I reread this again and realized maybe there was some confusion. I'm wondering if it's possible to install the top white peg clips into the grommets on the car w/o being attached to the skirt. Then maybe I could attach the skirt by sliding it down over the clips, rather than having to push so hard on the skirts to get the pegs seated into the grommets--which I've heard takes quite a bit of effort--and possibly damaging the paint? I'll still have to press in the two pegs at the rear of the front fender though. Was this the method you used?

[TrentW]

Do it right the first time. That's the whole point of providing all the mounting hardware. Looking forward to seeing it on your car soon.

I agree.

Im not knocking your DIY. Its very good info for people. I was just suggesting that there are other ways. Not wrong ways, just other ways. Many people have used the tape with great success. Back when these cars were made, the holes were factory drilled and sealed before install. Drilling holes at home in the garage without anything else done to the holes can open the door for rust etc. Just my .02¢

I painted the drilled holes with a q-tip soaked in POR 15 yesterday and let it dry overnight before I install the grommets today. I'm also gonna use a small amount of sealant around the edges of the grommets before installing just for good measure. I'm not worried about rust as I don't wash my car with soap and water (or haven't had to yet) since I had it painted a year and a half ago and it doesn't get driven in the rain and is stored for the winter. Regardless, POR 15 is awesome stuff and combined with a sealant should alleviate any issues with rust.

bernzspeed--An important point I discovered is that the two white grommets that go into the rear of the front fenders are a 5/16" hole, not 3/8" like the green grommets. They're the ones that fit the round white plugs that slide into the slotted piece of the skirt. Luckily, I noticed this while inspecting the parts and hadn't drilled those holes yet, but you may want to update your sticky.

[PNWDan]

Do it right the first time. That's the whole point of providing all the mounting hardware. Looking forward to seeing it on your car soon.

Im not knocking your DIY. Its very good info for people. I was just suggesting that there are other ways. Not wrong ways, just other ways. Many people have used the tape with great success. Back when these cars were made, the holes were factory drilled and sealed before install. Drilling holes at home in the garage without anything else done to the holes can open the door for rust etc. Just my .02¢

[bernzpeed]

Do it right the first time. That's the whole point of providing all the mounting hardware. Looking forward to seeing it on your car soon.

[PNWDan]

Finally getting around to installing mine this weekend and from what I understand, you installed the bottom clips first and then pushed in the top pegs correct? My skirts are pre-painted and wondering who hard I'm gonna have to push on the top of the skirt to get them inserted--possibly fudging up the paint. Has anyone tried inserting the white top plugs into the grommets first, then hanging the top onto them and installing the bottom clips after?

Or just skip the plugs and drilling holes and use 3M Trim tape. That's what I did on mine. Drove through every weather possible for 60 miles a day. Never a sign of coming off.

[TrentW]

Thanks for clarifying. Looking forward to getting them on.

[bernzpeed]

i installed the plugs into the grommets first and then did the bottom clips.

[TrentW]

Finally getting around to installing mine this weekend and from what I understand, you installed the bottom clips first and then pushed in the top pegs correct? My skirts are pre-painted and wondering who hard I'm gonna have to push on the top of the skirt to get them inserted--possibly fudging up the paint. Has anyone tried inserting the white top plugs into the grommets first, then hanging the top onto them and installing the bottom clips after?

[bernzpeed]

hi bernzpeed, very interesting diy. im planning to install skirt too, thanks to you.

can you please verify if all quantities are correct.

thanks in advance...

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showpost.php?p=2783803&postcount=100

[harold30]

hi bernzpeed, very interesting diy. im planning to install skirt too, thanks to you.

anyway, looking at the first page of your post it shows the hardware along with skirt but im not sure if everything is correct to my observation.

i have attached an image and added quantities (in red circle) to those parts were not provided by realoem.

note: the added quantities were based on the image in the first page you posted.



can you please verify if all quantities are correct.

thanks in advance...