Hoping the wise Forum can tell me how easy/difficult side skirt installation is. Just ordered a GT3 pair from Eckler's/Automotion for my '02 C4 Cab & was hoping to enjoy doing something on my own car for a change.

Can I do this myself?

Thx in advance to the amazing Forum! Bob in AZ

 

It looks pretty simple. This video is of a 997 but the concept and technique is the same http://www.gt3tek.com/products/997sr.htm Good Luck

 

I did my whole aero kit myself. If it's OEM and you have all the hardware with it, it's very easy.

Just make sure you do it in a warm environment(more flexibility in the material) and start from the front by pulling tight against wheel well and work your way back from there.

Some elect to use 3m auto body tape and some don't. If you do, peel off a little at a time as you work your way back. Don't peel off the whole thing at once.

 

I made the mistake of using inexpensive body tape, the side skirts came loose within a week.
It took 4 hours to remove the adhesive and clean them before refixing.
Used 3M tape and no problems for 2 years.

 

Many thanks the suggestions, guys!

dporto: Thx for the link; weekend homework for sure!

Alpine: I got the fiberglass, 1-piece skirts so no unrolling required. My front air dam from GT3TEK was polyurethane & came wadded up but installed nicely although the 3M tape came loose in a couple areas.

tb996: Will definately use the 3M but I had some difficulty even with the 3M on my front air dam from GT3TEK. I think it was because of the weight of the polyurethane material. But, the side skirts from Eckler's/Automotion are fiberglass so am hoping the 3M will work well.

Why didn't the Dreaded Previous Owner have the courtesy of ordering the side skirts as an option for me? He spends extra $$$ on the Cabrio but not the skirts? Sheeesh, some people are just rude, huh?

Again, many thanks for the help everybody! Bob in AZ

 

There are different grades of 3m body tape. You should be using the ones that body shops uses. The prep is also the key in how long the 3m tape stays on. If you use the supplemental body tape primer, it should never come off on its own.

As for fiberglass skirts I would advise not using 3m tape as it will not hold it on for the long term. Some body shops will use screws or rivets. EEK!

I'm not familiar with your skirts specifically but I would probably use polyurethane body panel adhesive like Drei Bond if you can't use the factory fasteners and attachment points.

As for others thinking of going this route, I recommend buying OEM skirts as you'll save more money in the long run saving on prep/labor, easily worth the $200 or so savings IMO.

 

Alpine: I hear ya & THX A TON for your thoughts. I'm headed to my Indy this week for an oil leak check so will inquire about the skirts & what they recommend. As mentioned in my original post, was just hoping to do ONE simple thing on this car myself! Maybe nothing's simple on this car???

My little old 1975 914 2.0 had aftermarket rockers that just screwed into the OEM locations; no such luck here. But, to be honest, while I want the side panel to adhere correctly, I wouldn't mind a situation where I could remove them easily if I needed to & then start all over with installation. Make sense?

Otherwise, no rivets for sure! EEK & YIKES!