How are the black rocker panel extensions mounted to the car? Rivets, double stick tape? Looking to get a set and have them painted carbon flash before install. Thanks.

 

Yes, both rivets and double stick tape.

 

Double stick tape on the top, rivets on the bottom.

 

I thought I saw on the visualizer carbon flash rocker panel extensions. I can't get it to work now.

 

Some people putting them on with double sided tape only, they say it works.

 

Expensive workaround if it doesn't work. What's the point?

 

There is factory tape on both the top and bottom sides, but they're pretty thin strips. You could add some more and they would probably hold up plenty well. I was originally going to go the tape only route, but ended up installing the rivets once I had it on the lift as it was pretty easy.

 

double sided tape with a prep surface works perfectly

 

Can you tell me exactly what tape. I see plenty of double sided tape, heavy duty, 3M, ect. Just wanted to know which is the best for the job.

Thanks.

 

Does anyone have a picture of what they look like installed? My HTC arrived on 10.14 without the rocker extensions, the extensions arrived at my dealer last week but it will be spring before I have them installed.

 

I have them on my HTC. Overall it makes the car look lower and a bit more curved / aggressive. Its just simple injection molded textured black plastic like the front spoiler. In sunlight it looks a bit gray.

Its literally taped on to the body with a few rivets I think underneath out of sight.

The only negative is that it does collect a lot of road dust. But I think it protects the lower body from stone chips and IMO, makes the car look better.

I debated getting them for the money but in the end, I'm happy with how they look. The car looks sleeker this way.

 

This is what I’m going to use: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/vhb-tapes-us/

 

FWIW, 3M makes the tape the Automotive industry uses to attached emblems etc. Strong stuff! Once it touches hard to move, so it should be right the first time! 3M recommends using their adhesive promotor for painted parts.

Typically you put one side of the double sided tape on the part, as I did, and leave the protective red plastic cover on the other side. Then pull it off "after" the part is where you want it. I left ~3 inch section of red plastic I could grab the lose end and remove after the side skirts I added were in place with a factory screw and one I added. Then I drilled and riveted the bottom (7 rivets per side for the side skirts I used.)

I'd use both tape and rivets even for the OEM products. BUT IMO better to use the equivalent of GM's 5VM option full length side skirts to provide protection from pebbles and debris thrown-up by the front tires. In our rural area essential, IMO. Now I can hear the pebbles hit but only the flat bottom gets marked. Only ants can see that and the top and sides are fine. Since I added, almost no dirt on the rocker panels, car sides or side skirts where before it was dirty every time I drove.

Bought mine from C7 Carbon at 25% the cost of GM, that were constrained. Note where the GM side skirts require drilling a 3/8 hole 4 inches up from the fender then removing the rear wheel well cover to install a bolt the C7 Carbon does not. It just has a large flat area near the winglet. I elected to use the 3M tape there. It's as probably belt and suspenders!

The hardest part of drilling is phycological! Once you drill the first hole (composite drills like butter) you get over that and it's easy!

Note the tape comes in various lengths and widths- search Amazon.


Note I used masking tape to mark where I would put the Adhesive Promoter. I put the Promoter below the tape. The tape also prevented it from going on areas that would not be covered by tape.

 

What do you think is best way to go Carbon Flash paint or Carbon Flash wrap?? Second question how much wider are the GM side skirts? I recall only a inch wider.

 

^^^^
I thought the GM simple ones essential fit over what is there and just covered. The ones I added, a copy in shape to the GM 5VM are 3 1/2 inches wide with a flat bottom and provide a lot of protection.

I had added full length side skirts to my 2014 Z51 to stop pebbles marking the rockers and sides. For my 2017 Grand Sport I ordered the Stage 2 Aero option that had full length skirts. They came painted carbon flash for $3800 or visible carbon fiber for $4850. It our rural area worth it with Coke Bottle C7 and C8 shape!

 

Are they factory or dealer installed?

 

Dealer or Museum

 

Most likely dealer installed like the front splitter. I have no idea though. I just ordered it with them I can't see what difference it makes.

 

Probably NOT ever in BG! Like my Stage 2 Aero option, sent from manufacturer to my Courtesy Delivery dealer's part dept with my VIN number on packing info. Arrive 1+ weeks before my car.

SIDEBAR
IF an accessory is not used in Bowling Green, why spend the manpower and time to receive it, store, keep track of inventory, pull from the shelf and ship via UPS etc. Whole support structure is not needed in an auto production plant! Much smarter and economical to have a GM computer send an automatic message when the car is ready to be produced to a Vendor computer that says ship XYZ parts to ABC Distributor and put tis VIN number on the packing slip!

 

They are an LPO item, installed by the dealer once the car arrives. From the order guide:

STI - LPO, Composite rockers, Black, Genuine Corvette Accessory

I already bought the kit that includes the front splitter for my non Z51 HTC, I’m going to install the rocker extensions myself with 3M VHB tape once I get my car.