How to install shark fin antenna?

andreax716,

Installation isntructions are at the VisualGarage site:

VG Shark Fin Antenna - Installation

there are a number of threads here on PriusChat about installation. Use the
search function with "sharkfin" or "shark fin" and you'll find them quickly.

Good Luck.

 

Bolt the wire up, clean the roof, peal the paper off, and stick it on.

Some other details on my page:
EV page

 

Its also good to follow the instructions and use the masking tape to outline the placement, otherwise you will have an askew shark fin like me. Anyone know how to remove one and what to use as replacement tape, I would guess acetone and 3m tape.

 

I would also add to make sure you or a friend stands behind the car before final placement to ensure that the sharkfin is aligned perfectly straight forward. You don't want to end up with the antenna pointing slightly to the left or right. You really can't make that observation if you're too close to the car.

 

Yank it off with some heat, and/or floss. Then follow up with WD-40 or Kerosene (same thing, really). Wash well. Use an alcohol wipe, and start over with some 3m tape. Might be best to ask the company for a new ring though since you'll never cut your tape to look that good!

 

Ok how did you install the shark fin since it's near impossible to reach from standing behind the car, and from the side it's still a good reach and you can't get see from a good angle if it's straight or not. Do you typically need a step stool? Even if I use masking tape I was hoping to stand behind it while I press the antenna down. Please advise. Thanks.

 

bump ^

 

I used a two step, step ladder to get the Shark Fin where I needed it to be.

I saw one example where someone used a laser pointer to line-up the Fin with the rear window washer nozzle. I had my wife check to the same effect, then I applied electrical tape near the Fin's perimeter as a guide. On a Gen III there's not a heck-of-a-lot of room to move the Fin off-center, as it soon bumps into the antenna below it.

Be sure that the paint area where you intend to apply the Shark Fin's adhesive layer is very clean. I used 70 rubbing alcohol the first time. That was not sufficient, as parts of the adhesive separated from the paint over night. 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner did the job intended.

Marshal

 

See, I KNEW someone had to use a step ladder to reach it properly! Haha. Thanks!

I dont own any 3M GPAC and hope I wouldn't have to buy any for this install. I do have 70 isopropyl and the regular soap/detergent. My car is somewhat dirty and dusty, so I am debating between getting a full car wash or just cleaning the local area (it's not quite dirty enough to warrant a car wash). Thanks.

 

Seriously: just get some 3M GPAC. You'll thank me later.

Marshal

 

Just so I understand, so you didnt use 3M GPAC the first time and you found it didn't stick well. By the time you corrected the fin, wasn't the adhesive less sticky? How did you re-install the fin?

Also, I just did a preliminary cleaning around the antenna base using only detergent and water and it feels very clean/smooth. The only thing I can see is some dust left from my cleaning cloth which I think I'll try to pick up with a swiffer static cloth.

 

When I mounted my sharkfin, in addition to taping off all the way
'round the fin, I marked center lines on the tape fore and aft of the fin,
and also on the front and back of the fin so that alignment was easy.

Use "low tack," reduced stickiness, masking tape to make removal easy.
It is either white, blue, or light green.
DO NOT USE THE TAN MASKING TAPE.

You can use any wax dissolving solution. I used Goof Off -- it comes in
very small containers, some places even 7-11 carries it -- but mineral
spirits, etc, will do fine.
DO NOT USE ACETONE, BENZENE, etc.

I would suggest :
* Work in coolish temps, not in direct sunlight.
* First, wash the mounting area with mild soap and water to remove
dirt and grit.
* Rinsing the area liberally with clear water.
* Dry with a soft cloth.
* Dampen a clean soft cloth with the chosen wax remover. (The idea
here is not to have so much cleaner in the cloth that it drips somewhere
else.)
* Gently clean the mounting area.
* Dry with clean, soft cloth.
* Repeat the last three steps.
* Mount the fin.
* Carefully remove the tape. (There is a best way to do this. Do not
pull the tape straight up, it can pull off paint. Gently, slowly pull the
tape back on itself so it peels off. Even better is to pull the tape at a
diagonal.)
* With low tack tape it is highly unlikely to have any tape adhesive
reside. But if there is any, clean it off with a rag dampened in the
cleaner.
* Wash and wax the whole car, with an extra coat of wax on and
around the fin.

* Celebrate! :cheer2:

 

Great advice Roke, thanks. Is 70% isopropyl (rubbing alcohol) a "wax remover"? And I assume the process of removing the wax does not strip the paint? Did my car even come waxed, cause I've never truly waxed it?

Noted on the Acetone, as far as I know that is very abrasive and should be only used on metal.

 

I don't really know. I followed someone else's recommendations.

It looks like you have metallic paint. If so, it has a clear overcoat
formulated to protect the paint from airborne pollutants, and even
dilute acid rain -- for a little while anyway. The overcoat can easily
withstand the oh, so gentle abuse of sensitive cleaning with a dewaxer.

I would suspect that your car was washed by the dealer to remove
transportation dirt/dust so it was all sparkly when you picked it up.
Whether they also waxed it is anybody's guess.

The dewaxing business is a CYA procedure to get maximum stick.

Acetone is a clear liquid. It isn't abrasive pe ser. It is highly reactive
and will soften/dissolve most any coating. Think of it as a fast
evaporating paint remover.

For long term shine and color retention, you should at least wax your
car regularly. There are many threads on waxing or using one of the
other special long lasting, high shine DIY coatings.

 

Thanks again. My scientific intuition tells me that rubbing alcohol is technically a wax remover, as it is a solvent, albeit, not as as strong as the commercial stuff like 3M. VG's instructions say to clean with rubbing alcohol first, then the 3M solvents or Dawn.

You seem to suggest using the soap/water first, then using the wax remover/solvent/alcohol, which I agree with.

 

sorry double post

 

So what's your opinion on reception quality with the sharkfin? I'd love to get rid of the "Rubber Ducky" but don't want to ruin the radio reception.

 

It's on its way in the mail so I don't have it yet, which is why Im asking all these prep/cleaning questions. But I'm crossing my fingers big time that it works well.

 

Does anybody know if its a bad idea to install the fin right before it rains (I'm getting it today but it's supposed to rain in 2 days)? I'm wondering if the adhesive needs time to cure, and rain would break those bonds. Thanks.