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SS Inserts falling off already?

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Old May 8, 2007 | 11:28 PM
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Default SS Inserts falling off already?

I just put these on a few weeks ago, and already half my "R" has peeled away. I've driven the car daily, but have only washed it once by hand so I can't think of any reason for this happening. When I put them on, it was over the stated 70 deg. for a week and they didn't get wet for over a week.

Has anyone else had a problem, and if so how willing were they to offer a replacement? I'm planning on calling them tomorrow, and will be quite irritated if they tell me they're not doing anything. These were too expensive to fall off in a month. It's really too bad, cause they look great and I was impressed.
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Old May 8, 2007 | 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Illini82
I just put these on a few weeks ago, and already half my "R" has peeled away. I've driven the car daily, but have only washed it once by hand so I can't think of any reason for this happening. When I put them on, it was over the stated 70 deg. for a week and they didn't get wet for over a week.

Has anyone else had a problem, and if so how willing were they to offer a replacement? I'm planning on calling them tomorrow, and will be quite irritated if they tell me they're not doing anything. These were too expensive to fall off in a month. It's really too bad, cause they look great and I was impressed.
I've had mine on for about three months....I know you don't want to hear this, but I have to question the surface preparation.....did you follow the directions to the letter (no pun intended)? Did you use the adhesive promoter that came with the letters?

From what I've seen here - SS Inserts is a first class outfit, and I doubt that they will just blow you off - though I certainly cannot speak for them.

Good luck.
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Old May 8, 2007 | 11:44 PM
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It is prep, but if you contact them they will send you a replacement letter.
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Old May 8, 2007 | 11:53 PM
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Hope you get it worked out.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 12:10 AM
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I cleaned the surface with alcohol prior to installing them.

It's funny you mention the adhesion promoter. When I got my letters, the promoter package had a hole in it and was dry. I called them (wish I would have got a name now) and they told me I didn't need it on a C5 and the C6's were the only ones who really needed it.... seems as though this wasn't the case. I'll see what I can do.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 12:27 AM
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Like everyone said, prep is the key.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by jrose7004
Like everyone said, prep is the key.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 01:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Illini82
I just put these on a few weeks ago, and already half my "R" has peeled away. I've driven the car daily, but have only washed it once by hand so I can't think of any reason for this happening. When I put them on, it was over the stated 70 deg. for a week and they didn't get wet for over a week.

Has anyone else had a problem, and if so how willing were they to offer a replacement? I'm planning on calling them tomorrow, and will be quite irritated if they tell me they're not doing anything. These were too expensive to fall off in a month. It's really too bad, cause they look great and I was impressed.


I noticed the same thing yesterday. I did everything according to the instructions, but my "R" was ready to fall off. I re-attached it with some 3M trim adhesive.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 01:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Illini82
I cleaned the surface with alcohol prior to installing them.

It's funny you mention the adhesion promoter. When I got my letters, the promoter package had a hole in it and was dry. I called them (wish I would have got a name now) and they told me I didn't need it on a C5 and the C6's were the only ones who really needed it.... seems as though this wasn't the case. I'll see what I can do.
All I can say is I used the adhesive promoter which was provided and they're stuck firm. Dont think C5 and C6 paintwork is any different unless someone can enlighten me. I agree with Randy that prep is the key. A good clean out with a cotton bud should fix it.

Of interest, my only snag was the point of the R stuck out a little. It lost its sheen after a while with rubbing during detailing. I guess I just learned to live with it.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 01:17 AM
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Default SS Inserts

My SS Inserts have been on about a month. No problems yet. Haven't "wet washed" my car yet. I Followed the prep instructions to a "T" (actually to a "E").
Hope they hold up well. They were just too damn expensive to fall off! Hope the manufacturer will help you out. Let us know.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 04:41 AM
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This worked well for me on a warm and dry day:

1) Cleaned the area real good with soap and water....3 times. You can use denatured alcohol as well if you wish, I did not.

2) Dry throughly!

3) Heat up each letter's adhesive side with a hair dryer till you almost cant hold the letter in your hand.

4) While still hot, align and apply the letter (press firmly)

5) Allow some time to adhere before washing.

I wash my car just about every other day now.... they aren't coming off.... I'll be really surprised if they do.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 05:39 AM
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Mine have been on for over a year now, many washings and many waxings, no problem with them lifting or coming off, because of past problems with this kind of thing on other cars, i really went over board on cleaning, wash, then i rubbed each letter with alcohol, then did each letter with alcohol on a Q-Tip and then followed the directions that came with my SS inserts, did same with the cyberdyne stickers on dash and steering wheel, so far no problems, good luck
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Old May 9, 2007 | 06:49 AM
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Everything I have heard about SS Inserts is they will take care of you. Give them a call and explain the situation.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 08:18 AM
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I cleaned mine with Dawn, then with alcohol, then I put them on and held each one in place for about a minute. That was 3 years ago...
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Old May 9, 2007 | 08:21 AM
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Three sets of SS Inserts on three different cars in four years...no problems.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 08:38 AM
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I hate to say, but I agree with the others about the prep.
Talk to them and I am sure they will help you out.
I got mine from COH and two = years now and no problem.
They even sent me a new R as I didn't like the way it came to a point.
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Old May 9, 2007 | 09:22 AM
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5yrs 55k miles (not daily driver but a garage queen) no problems
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To SS Inserts falling off already?

Old May 9, 2007 | 09:37 AM
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I also bought the SS Inserts. I spoke to Barry over the phone to get some "tips" on installing the letters prior to buying them. He recommended cleaning each application area with laquer thinner, using a q-tip, then using the adhesive promoter that came with the letters. I did that, the installation went well, although I did notice that the "R" does not fit the same as all the other letters. It is not coming loose yet. I did ask Barry if the warranty would cover a letter that falls off, he says it does providing the installation is done as instructed. A couple of other things, he said do not use alcohol or hair dryers, which surprised me. He said that hair dryers should be used to remove the letters.

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Old May 9, 2007 | 10:33 AM
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Originally Posted by lager99
It is prep, but if you contact them they will send you a replacement letter.


plus when you hear the letters falling off it is always the R
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Old May 9, 2007 | 11:52 AM
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I used 3M wax and adhesive remover to prep the indents before I applied my letters.
1+ year and counting....
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