Adhessive for SS Inserts
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale CA
St. Jude Donor '06
Adhessive for SS Inserts
I got the SS inserts for both the front and rear and was planning on putting them on today. What I was wondering is what adhesive you guys would recommend. I know I should clean the area with denatured alcohol and the letters already come with some sticky tape on them. Call me paranoid but I don't want these things flying off, so what did you guys use, in addition to the stick stuff already on them to make sure they stick for good? 
Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 710
Likes: 1
From: Fremont (Livin' On The Fault Line!) CA
Use the stuff that came in a small brown bottle (or packet, can't remember which version I got with mine); it is some sort of adhesive promoter and should be applied using a Q-Tip AFTER you have thoroughly cleaned the area using alcohol as mentioned
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 1
From: Santa Cruz Mountains CA
Do Not Use Superglue!
I used superglue this weekend for rear Corvette lettering, it was a mistake. It can blister your paint if you're not extremely careful.
On the other hand, I'm guessing that the letters will stay put.
I used superglue this weekend for rear Corvette lettering, it was a mistake. It can blister your paint if you're not extremely careful.
On the other hand, I'm guessing that the letters will stay put.
Last edited by Pipes; Aug 1, 2005 at 11:37 AM.
Wil Cooksey #256
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 24
From: Sacramento Kalifornia
When I put mine on 2-years ago the sticky tape started to come off as I was trying to remove the backing on the "O". I ended up removing all the adhesive and installing the rest of them with 3M Super Adhesive. The "C" was the only one I installed with the tape, and I lost it about 6-months ago. 
Got a new one and installed it with 3M Super Adhesive.
Got a new one and installed it with 3M Super Adhesive.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
Originally Posted by 50 4Ever
When I put mine on 2-years ago the sticky tape started to come off as I was trying to remove the backing on the "O". I ended up removing all the adhesive and installing the rest of them with 3M Super Adhesive. The "C" was the only one I installed with the tape, and I lost it about 6-months ago. Got a new one and installed it with 3M Super Adhesive.
Got a new one and installed it with 3M Super Adhesive.
Wil Cooksey #256
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,814
Likes: 24
From: Sacramento Kalifornia
Originally Posted by berryj
Where did u buy the extra "C" from?
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Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 190
Likes: 4
From: CO
I put on my SS inserts about a month ago, and the thing that I learned is to let the primer, that comes with the letters, dry first. I tried to put the letters on when the primer was still wet and now my R is not sticking too well.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
From: Edmond OK.
I had a problem with the "-" in one of the E's in front. It fell off with in a few months after installation. Called SS and they said they would send out another "-". Several months latter it never arrived so I ordered a new front end set. Now at least I have an extra set. 
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,675
Likes: 58
From: Hayward (Bay Area) CA
After reading all this, I'd say get the 3M super adhesive stuff. Better to be safe than sorry.. I bought mine from West coast corvette, haven't installed it yet. But I'd hate to loose one of them letters. I paid $70 for the rear letters set. I can't imagine paying $140 (for 2 sets), if I ever needed another letter. So, I'll get the 3M stuff, whenever I'm ready to install it... Its up to you what you wanna do..
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 1
From: Littleton Colorado
Just check every time you wash your Vette. My ‘R’ started coming off a week after install. I washed and used denatured alcohol, and I can’t imagine that the adhesive promoter was not dry when I put it on. It was +100 for the four days following and I did not wash it until the 4th day. My ‘E’s are not looking great either.
I remounted the ‘R’ with the 3m heavy duty spray adhesive, which is pretty messy. So far so good, just a mess to deal with. I do not think it would be wise to start with the 3m spray, just use it if one of the letters fail.
Over all I like it , and I’ll just have to check the lettering every time I wash for a while. 
I remounted the ‘R’ with the 3m heavy duty spray adhesive, which is pretty messy. So far so good, just a mess to deal with. I do not think it would be wise to start with the 3m spray, just use it if one of the letters fail.
Over all I like it
, and I’ll just have to check the lettering every time I wash for a while.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport TN
Originally Posted by Vette_Fan
After reading all this, I'd say get the 3M super adhesive stuff. Better to be safe than sorry.. I bought mine from West coast corvette, haven't installed it yet. But I'd hate to loose one of them letters. I paid $70 for the rear letters set. I can't imagine paying $140 (for 2 sets), if I ever needed another letter. So, I'll get the 3M stuff, whenever I'm ready to install it... Its up to you what you wanna do..
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 25,236
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From: Sun Coast of Florida
St. Jude Donor '03-'26
Originally Posted by berryj
Where did u buy the extra "C" from?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,495
Likes: 0
From: Paducah Ky
Originally Posted by TOOGECKO
Cleaned mine well, used the supplied adhesive promoter and have had no problems in 1-1/2 yrs. Just be careful when washing/waxing to not snag on letters...
Six months and no problems yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 58,498
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From: Oklahoma City OK
C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by mrm1149
If you clean well, you'll have no problems. Main thing is to have a superclean surface with no wax................
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
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From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Originally Posted by LarryW
Use the stuff that came in a small brown bottle (or packet, can't remember which version I got with mine); it is some sort of adhesive promoter and should be applied using a Q-Tip AFTER you have thoroughly cleaned the area using alcohol as mentioned
Follow the directions, make sure area is squeaky clean and take your time. No prob.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Originally Posted by LarryW
Use the stuff that came in a small brown bottle (or packet, can't remember which version I got with mine); it is some sort of adhesive promoter and should be applied using a Q-Tip AFTER you have thoroughly cleaned the area using alcohol as mentioned
Mine are stuck tight