I ordered the rear lip spoiler for the tC, and just couldn’t convince myself that drilling holes in the hatch as the instructions indicate would add anything to the ease or quality of the install. As I see it, drilling only adds a lot of time and several more opportunities to screw something up. The entire perimeter of the underside of the spoiler has 3M VHB tape on it. This is a structural bonding tape, the kind of stuff that can replace rivets in aircraft. It is more than enough to hold a cosmetic spoiler in place.

This installation method will save you from buying the installation kit, finding and buying the required hole saw, lining up the template in the install kit, all of the drilling, the removal of interior panels required for cleaning up the metal shavings, sealing around the drilled holes, etc.

Tools needed:
This depends on the method you choose. Read through the DIY first and decide how you want to proceed.

Parts needed:
tC lip spoiler
Extra 3M VHB tape (optional)

Parts not needed:
tC lip spoiler installation kit

Here’s what I did:

The spoiler appears to be a rotationally molded thermoplastic part. There are two plastic studs and two threaded metal studs molded into the underside. Obviously, these have to go.

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2879.jpg

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2880.jpg

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2881.jpg

Remove the four circular foam gaskets. You will put these back on later, so stick them to a piece of wax paper to keep the adhesive side clean.

I drilled out the two plastic studs using a large drill bit. There are probably several other good ways to get rid of these.

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2883.jpg

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2890.jpg

First, I’ll tell you how I removed the studs, and then I’ll tell you how I would try it if I had the opportunity to do it again.

I cut off the metal studs with a cutoff wheel on the Dremel, then ground and sanded the remaining stubs flush. As you can see, this gets messy, so it probably would have been a good idea to put a layer of masking tape over the VHB tape to keep it clean.

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2886.jpg

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2888.jpg

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2891.jpg

The metal studs got quite hot when they were being cut off, hot enough to soften the thermoplastic around the base of the stud, allowing the stud to move around. I had to push the remainder of the stud back down into the spoiler. If I had the chance to do this over, I would try heating the stud with a propane torch (a small butane torch might even be enough) and pulling the entire stud out with pliers. Similarly, it might be possible to heat the plastic studs and scrape them off, or cut them off with a hot knife.

Now, clean everything up, and replace the foam gaskets. They will allow you to place the spoiler on the car without much of the adhesive making contact, so you can make adjustments before engaging all of the tape. You can buy the 3M VHB tape (I had bought some a while back at Target, part number 4011), so you can add more to the spoiler if you don’t feel comfortable with what is already there.

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2899.jpg

Now, practice positioning the spoiler before you remove the liner from the tape. You only get one chance once the liner is off, so take the time to become familiar with the fitment.

Getting the spoiler in the correct position is actually easy. The ‘hangey-down' tabs in the back on each end help ensure that the forward-to-back position is correct, so you mostly just need to concentrate on the left-to-right positioning. Practice.

The area on the hatch where the spoiler will be attached must be free of wax, dirt, etc. and be completely dry. I used a tar and wax remover and followed that up with Dawn and hot water, then clean water. The Toyota installation manual for the spoiler recommends a 3M surface prep solvent that certainly works very well.

Pull off all of the tape liner and gently set the spoiler into position on the hatch. Keep a finger on each end of the spoiler so that you can feel the edge of the hatch and keep the spoiler centered as you lower it. The foam should be keeping the tape off of the hatch at this point, except maybe at the very ends. Push the spoiler forward so the hangey-downs touch the back of the hatch, double-check the spacing on each side, take a deep breath, and press down evenly and straight-down.

Press down around the perimeter of the spoiler and make sure the tape makes contact everywhere.

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2894.jpg

http://www.scionlife.com/tech/images/lip_spoiler_tc/IMG_2902.jpg

:relief: :clap: looks great! Nice writeup! Ive been waiting for some1 to do a writeup so i wont have to drill holes into my hatch! so overall how long did it take you? has it moved on you with the double sided tape or does it pretty much stay in place? cause i was worried about when rain gets into it i wont want it to wash out the stickey? Great writeup!

where did you buy your lip spoiler from?

niceeeeeeeeeeee

:relief: :clap: looks great! Nice writeup! Ive been waiting for some1 to do a writeup so i wont have to drill holes into my hatch! so overall how long did it take you? has it moved on you with the double sided tape or does it pretty much stay in place? cause i was worried about when rain gets into it i wont want it to wash out the stickey? Great writeup!

where did you buy your lip spoiler from?

The spoiler is still firmly in place, even after a Houston summer. Other manufacturers use the 'tape only' method, and it works fine.

It took me a couple of hours from start to finish. It could probably be done in an hour with the instructions.

I bought the spoiler from McGeorge, I think it was around $250.

Will add to the tech...

does the lip spoiler sit flush and tight on the hatch? Can you post come close up pics on how the spoiler sits? thanks and nice once again!

Very good job...looks real nice,I was going to install one myself but wasn't too thrill on drilling holes on my hatch so I kept putting it off ,and just to think that you needed the install template at extra cost, but now thanks to this info.Im going to do it right away...Thanks!

i bet if u have a sound system it will make the spoiler fall off, cuz even with the pedastal spoiler i have shakes like hell, looks like its ready to come off lol

Very good job...looks real nice,I was going to install one myself but wasn't too thrill on drilling holes on my hatch so I kept putting it off ,and just to think that you needed the install template at extra cost, but now thanks to this info.Im going to do it right away...Thanks!
post some pics when your done! I plan on ordereing my lip spoiler around next week to do this little install!

I just bought a CF one with no hardware whatsoever, this will help me big time, thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHARK-WING-SPOILER-SCION-TC-CELICA-MR2-MR-2-COROLLA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33638QQitemZ8005121841QQrdZ1

plz somebody find that car and destroy it, its wayyy too embarrassing. omg

I just bought a CF one with no hardware whatsoever, this will help me big time, thanks!

I was thinking of buying one of those to... saw it on ebay... Where did you buy yours and how is the quality? Did it come with 3M tape?

Nathan
ycart1201

looks great. i may try this

great! thanks for the write-up

one question, my car came factory with this option, i want to change the wing and get the pedestrial, prolly mine has holes drilled into it, how would i go about covering them up, any ideas ?

I was thinking of buying one of those to... saw it on ebay... Where did you buy yours and how is the quality? Did it come with 3M tape?

Nathan
ycart1201

I have the same spoiler. The quality is what I would call "good", whereas big brand manufacturers produce a "very good" product; some very minor erros in the CF in places, only noticeable by putting your face right up against it. And it comes in a box with... nothing. No nuts, no bolts, no tape, no instructions, nada. But whaddaya want? You can pay as little at $100 shipped from what I've seen. Mine was ~$130.



Hooribel aluminum wing (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHARK-WING-SPOILER-SCION-TC-CELICA-MR2-MR-2-COROLLA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33638QQitemZ8005121841QQrdZ1)

plz somebody find that car and destroy it, its wayyy too embarrassing. omg



Actual sharks are embarassed that their name is included in the description of that product. Calling that "thing" horrible is an insult to the word horrible.

Wow I think I might do this! That was an awesome write up. What do people think about the carbon fiber look on black sand pearl? OR where do I find a cheap painted factory lip?

looks goood, never was into the spoiler, but thas clean. gettin one.

okay so i work for one of the largest ford dealerships in the north west. and we put wings like this on the saleen mustangs. no drilling no nothing, just double side tape. all i have to say is crap. after 3-4 monhts they are lifting and some are just plain falling off. I personally have put over 60 REPLACEMENT WINGS back on the mustangs because they have come off. if you want your wing to stay on, drill the holes.

that looks hot. i would just say, go easy on the power washing.... hand wash if i were you.

i got a superwhite too, but i am gettin the CF lip. tough call now that i see yours, but with the route i am going, CF all the way. good write up, i am going to drill the holes though.

I was thinking of buying one of those to... saw it on ebay... Where did you buy yours and how is the quality? Did it come with 3M tape?

Nathan
ycart1201

I have the same spoiler. The quality is what I would call "good", whereas big brand manufacturers produce a "very good" product; some very minor erros in the CF in places, only noticeable by putting your face right up against it. And it comes in a box with... nothing. No nuts, no bolts, no tape, no instructions, nada. But whaddaya want? You can pay as little at $100 shipped from what I've seen. Mine was ~$130.



Hooribel aluminum wing (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SHARK-WING-SPOILER-SCION-TC-CELICA-MR2-MR-2-COROLLA_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33638QQitemZ8005121841QQrdZ1)

plz somebody find that car and destroy it, its wayyy too embarrassing. omg



Actual sharks are embarassed that their name is included in the description of that product. Calling that "thing" horrible is an insult to the word horrible.

Cool. thanks for the update on quality. :bow:

Nathan
ycart1201

Awesome tut.

Texas always doing things right, frikkin' sweet.

I'm not a huge fan of spoilers at ALL, but that one is so low and smooth, and looks nice when combined with the ground FX shiz that you can get from Toyo..

very nice

nice write up.. just bought my OEM style CF lip spoiler going to pick up my 3m VBH tape and put it on .. white is where its at man keep up the good work

Out of curiosity, what is the install price from the dealer to completely drill install the lip spoiler?

i believe around $200? well at least thats how much someone paid. Not too sure on your dealership? there's a DIY on another forum on the drilling. you can purchase the template for around $20 i think, and you lay it on your hatch and drill where it tells you to?

template? yeah.. marks where you're supposed to drill.

So does taping work? Has someone had the spoiler on for a while and not had it fall off. please someone respond. thanks.

yeah mines been on since october with 3m molding tape (like 6.99 at autozone). i just put some all the way across the rear hatch and pressed the spoiler down. make sure you line it up straight. its been hovering around 0 degrees here for the last week or so and that thing is still solid as a rock. the tape definitely works.

my girl has a tc and i want her to get this lip wing, ill keep this post inmind when she gets it.

I remembered when I first got my lip spoiler installed, the dealer had used the recommended factory method which was drill & tape. When it rain, you can see the tape soak up water and start to see gaps the spoiler still stayed on okay but when you push it down, you can feel the tape being compress and it bounce right back up. The deal tried twice to ammend the problem with the same issue the 3rd time the dealer end up sending my car to a bodyshop and they use silicon which worked best !! no more gaps

just called the stealership yesterday to get a quote on the install, "$200". Yea it looks like ill be doing it myself!

I traded my tC in back in November 2006, and the spoiler was still on just as strong as the day I installed it. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

I've used 3M double sided tape on my oem cf spoiler and you'd probably need 3 or 4 people to pry it off. I've pressure washed it a few times with no issues.

Thanks, Guys...So tape it is, but the sillicon idea isnt a bad one.

I feel much safer that my lip is drilled why do you want to remove it anyways??

Well, I put the spoiler on with tape...tomorrow is the test day...its raining...So we will see

thanks for the idea to install the lip spoiler without drilling. I just picked up a used (and pretty scratched) lip spoiler for $60 and now my project is to repaint and install it without drilling:


used a dremmel bit to grind down around the threaded pins and then used plyers to torque them off
http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_07---lipspoiler2b.jpg

ground down
http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_07---lipspoiler3b.jpg

it would be so much easier to install it without repainting . . . but oh so ugly
http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_07---lipspoiler4b.jpg

sanding the old paint down
http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_07---lipspoiler6.jpg

(Hopefully I can primer - sand - paint - sand - clear coat tomorrow)

kool, keep us posted!

all primered and painted (about 3 5oz cans worth of paint)
http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_10---lipspoiler1.jpg

double sided tape on the back
http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_10---lipspoiler2.jpg

polished and waxed
http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_10---lipspoiler3.jpg

nice and shiny
http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_10---lipspoiler4.jpg

testing the fitment on my car
http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_11---lipspoiler1.jpg

oh crap . . . the white on the lip doesn't match the white of my car . . . http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_11---lipspoiler2.jpg

these are the products I used (which didn't match the 040 scion tc superwhite paint code)
http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_11---lipspoiler3.jpg

so I dropped by the auto body paint supply store and picked up the real stuff http://www.derekmiyamoto.com/tc/070407lipspoiler/07_04_11---lipspoiler4.jpg

I'm currently just about done repainting with pro paint supplies - I'll post pictures when i get it on my car

looks great! does it feel real sturdy?

is that spoiler the big style or OEM?

looks great! does it feel real sturdy?

yeah, it's not shaky at all. I've got like 2 full packages of that heavy duty 3m tape holding it on so I'm not really worried about it.

also, it's just the small lip spoiler (not the big one). I wouldn't trust just tape to hold on the big pedistal spoiler.

nice write up guys. im expecting my lip spoiler for my csm tC this next monday. is isopropyl alcohol sufficient enough to remove the wax on the hatch? i waxed it maybe 3 months ago, so the wax is probably nearly gone by now.