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I wonder if it was adhesive that got pushed out from installing the quarter windows at the factory. I noticed with mine it seemed like the rubber weatherstripping had 'melted' a little bit onto the quarter panel. I used a heat gun to get it all nice and soft, made the install a lot easier.
I nearly got brave today - 60 degrees in MA in Feb!!! But no, I think I'll have these done at a shop. And yes, they definitely look much better than stock!
Man that sucks! I had the whole rear end off my car when i did mine (was doing other stuff at the same time) and i think that made it a little easier. I did drop a screw/nut but thankfully i just stuck a telescoping magnet down in the panel and retrieved it with no issues. The crack and tool residing in the body would drive me nuts!!
The black adhesive is definitely from the installation of the small rear quarter window. When I installed my Z06 vents 5 months ago, I noticed the exact same adhesive.
Do not use a pry tool, but instead, use a thin blade SHARP knife to SLOWLY cut the adhesive that has oozed out from the window onto the underside/edge of the rear quarter panel composite.
You will simply insert the knife blade between the rubber trim and the composite rear quarter panel. Cut slowly. Using a pry tool will only place extreme pressure on the composite material.
The black adhesive may only be 1 inch in length to cut or may be more.
Another PITA when installing the Z06 vents is the last 1 to 1 1/2" of the rubber trim in the very rear of the small quarter panel window. I can be very difficult to replace and push the composite panel back underneath the rubber trim molding.
Ok, may be in the big picture of all things not a catastrophe. But caused me to express a few "army words" as my Dad used to put it.
Drivers side vent replacement went without a hitch. The usual warnings about screws falling into the abyss helped me prepare for that. No problem.
Passenger side seemed to be going smoothly. Screws out, but panel wouldn't budge. Used a plastic trim tool to carefully pry the panel back. Got it out about a quarter inch and it just seemed like there was another fastener somewhere I was missing. Searched to no avail. One more pull, and cracked the body panel. After looking closely at the panel there seems to be some very strong, very hard adhesive that was actually attaching the panel to the underside of the window. You can see the black adhesive in the photos.
Only a small crack but it will drive me nuts. Guess when it's at the shop I'll have them fix any small rock chips before it goes to the Xpel installer.
Oh, and the plastic trim tool disappeared into the abyss. Hope it doesn't cause a noticeable rattle. Argh...
Hope this helps someone out doing this install.
They do look better than the stock vents.
Good luck!
Bill
BTW - '15 Z51 3LT built September '15.
Driver's side. Looks better than stock for sure!
Bill, if your car was built in Sept. of 15 you have a 2016!
02-20-2016, 04:43 PM
Z06 rear vent installation catastrophe
