[Soundtrap]

Hey everyone! So, I am the proud owner of 2018 Kona. Love this thing so much. Being that this is the first brand-new vehicle I have ever owned, I went a little nuts on ordering interior/exterior trims, lighting, etc to really customize this thing as much as possible. Anyway, I have a question about interior/exterior trims/additions. Most of the items I ordered come with 3M tape pre-added to the items. Is that enough to hold these things in place? Also, I am curious about using a touchless car wash. Is that doable or will that just end up taking these items off the vehicle? I have never used 3M tape before so I have no experience with it but I imagine it’s the go-to tape since basically every item I have coming is using it. What about removal? Is this something that will damage my vehicle/paint? Does it come off nicely? Also, does it last (essentially) for good or is it something that would need replacement every few years or something?

Anyway, thanks everyone. Hoping there is someone here that has some experience with this.

 

[JR KONA]

Well, first off a touch less car wash is one of the only ways to go IMHO. Do not take it thru a automated brush car wash.

A good application is essential for adherence body panels. Follow the directions for application. Make sure the application are is free of any hand prints, road film and grease. You need to be especially careful about application. Clean the area with isopropyl alcohol well, especially if the area has been waxed or a protectant is applied. Don't utilize any other chemical for cleaning they leave a residue. The 3M tape will adhere extremely well, once the surface it's being applied to is clean with isopropyl alcohol. You don't need to remove them for cleaning. It will last, if you are not attempting to penetrate the adhesive layer of the tape with direct high water pressure. So just be aware of where you utilize the high pressure nozzle hand washing.

It maybe necessary to reapply new tape after a few year depending upon; UV break down, water penetration and a plethora of other causes. It won't stick with 100% adherence after years of use. Just check them periodically especially after high pressure washing.

Mahalo and have fun!:smile:

 

[Soundtrap]

Thank you kindly JR Kona. Mucho appreciated. Never in my life have I been so excited (or even considered) adding any kind of trims or lighting to a vehicle. Then again, this is the first brand-new vehicle I have ever owned so there’s that. This already badass-looking vehicle will look so **** good when it’s finished. At least, that’s how I envision it. Haha!

 

[HKSKS]

Finding a good detailer will save you a lot of trouble. Some people I know take their cars to a detailer 4 times a year for paint correction, etc. Rest of the time are just simple washes which are quite involved but cheap. Most important of all, your paint will stay as good as new.

 

[JR KONA]

Thank you kindly JR Kona. Mucho appreciated. Never in my life have I been so excited (or even considered) adding any kind of trims or lighting to a vehicle. Then again, this is the first brand-new vehicle I have ever owned so there’s that. This already badass-looking vehicle will look so **** good when it’s finished. At least, that’s how I envision it. Haha!

You're welcome my pleasure.:grin:

 

[JR KONA]

One last thing; if you purchased the items from China or Korea you might have to change the tape. They generally use an inferior application tape to 3M double sided tape. Just test the pieces after you've given them time to adhere. It's fairly simple, let them sit for a few hours. Tug on them with a little pressure and try to move them around. Doesn't have to be allot of pressure, you just want to make sure all the tape has stuck to the application area well. If for any reason it hasn't remove the piece, purchase new 3M brand tape and reapply using the same technique as before. The tape can be bought off the internet ie., Amazon, eBay and other similar websites.

I've found in the past the double sided tape from either place, on occasion doesn't hold very well. No worries though, you'll know after you've apply the items. The best color 3M tape is light gray in color it has really good strength. Check the 3M site.

 

[Soundtrap]

Oh perfect! That is good to know. Picking some up tomorrow.

Do you happen to have any experience with painting exterior trim? I ordered a couple of cans of Krylon SUPERMAXX Gloss Cherry Red spraypaint and planning on spraying all the exterior trims (handles, rear wiper, mirror trims, etc with it (as well as the interior trims) but am kind of leary as I’m uncertain of the durability even though it is all weather, interior/exterior spray. Any advice on that by any chance? I figure the cherry gloss red will look pretty great on the phantom black.

 

[JR KONA]

No I don't actually. I think you're on the right track though, durability will be a big factor especially in Canada. Don't paint anything on the door handles or body, first off. It could damage the painted surfaces and be seen as a warranty issue by your dealer and Hyundai. Adhesion is the primary factor to think about. Painting coated surfaces requires surface preparation for good adhesion. This includes sanding and cleaning with acetone, which I don't recommend. Any deviation from the primary body color just isn't worth the risk of other issues. Keep in mind resale also; what you like can be a negative to others, especially if you're trading or selling outright.

Lastly, it takes a great deal of patients and a steady hand to do even a good job with a rattle can.:smile:

 

[pnwkona]

First why would anyone take a spray paint can to any painted /clear coated surface and to add the adhesion will never be there in time it will start to peel and your left with a disaster. And like JR stated your resale value is gone and the warranty on the paint will be denied as is it will be considered an alteration of the oem paint. If your concerned about protection on these areas get a clear bra or wrapped in the red, it is durable and easy to remove once your done with the car.

 

[Wheat]

Thirding this sentiment. Don't paint on top the OEM paint, and don't try to do even a small paint job on your car with a rattle can.

Honestly, if you want to change the color of a few components, do a lot of research on vinyl wraps. If done correctly they will not damage the paint, are durable for a few years, and can easily be peeled off in the end. And its really not expensive to have small areas done professionally.

Paint is an _extremely_ difficult process and takes years of practice, expensive equipment, and a completely dust-free, temperature-controlled environment to get right. On a brand new car, you are inevitably going to be putting a damaging layer of vastly inferior paint on top of a top-notch paint job if you try to do it yourself. I promise I'm not insulting your abilities or doubting you, just speaking from experience with assisting on high-quality paint jobs.

 

[JR KONA]

Good point PNWKONA & WHEAT, wrapping would be much better and is reversible also.

 

[Soundtrap]

Hey guys! Thank you all very much for the advice/thoughts. No offence taken at all by the way. I definitely don’t claim to be an expert on anything when it comes to vehicles (in general), painting or trims/additions. I am just winging it and doing what I feel will make this look even more appealing than it already does as is (in my opinion, of course).

Just to be clear, I have no intention on spraying the actual vehicle itself in any way. My plan was to spray the additions/trims that I have purchased (which are all either white or chrome silver to begin with) and to then attach them with the 3M tape. Basically, this is the first brand-new vehicle I have ever owned personally and I got a little too excited and ‘buy now’ happy over the weekend. Haha! I am not a vehicle-person by any means (meaning a vehicle to me is merely a tool to get me from A to B - reliably) and am more-than-likely going to drive this thing until it’s very end. I did the same with my previous SUV and will do the same with my next which hopefully isnt going to be for many, many years from now. I just want to have a unique-looking version of this already badass vehicle. I even went as far as getting a personalized license plate made. Never thought I would ever be one of those people but, here I am. Haha!

Another question/concern I have is does 3M tape damage paint (I am assuming it does not)? If I were to remove some (or all) of these attachments at some point in the future, would it be easily removed or a mess/headache to do so? Also, is this something that would need to be replaced every so often or can I attach these things and expect them to hold firmly years from now? I live in Canada and the weather here is quite extreme at times. We go anywhere from +30 degrees (or more) in the summer to -30 (or more) in the winter. I’m a little unsure as to how well this tape will hold up in weather like this (with the exterior additions). I guess I will find out. Haha! You don’t know until you know I suppose.

Anyway, thanks again everyone. Your comments/thoughts are very much appreciated.

 

[pnwkona]

Another alternative to spray paint is Plasti Dip and if you want a gloss or matte look they make a glossifier to be sprayed over it to help it last longer and keep a sheen. Also it you do not like the color over time you can change it up by simply removing it to add a new color.

As far as 3M tape is from my Subaru and the badges of ownership that you can get, over time the tape after removal did cause some clear coat damage not paint. Just my experience and reason why adding anything to the body would be a no.
For the longevity of the tape cold and or more so hot summers will cause it yes to become dried out in away and it it will loose it adhesion.

 

[WestCanMan]

Finding a good detailer will save you a lot of trouble. Some people I know take their cars to a detailer 4 times a year for paint correction, etc. Rest of the time are just simple washes which are quite involved but cheap. Most important of all, your paint will stay as good as new.

Or you could just learn to do your own detailing. Removing paint swirls and scratches takes some skill and practice, but anyone can clay bar, polish, and wax. There’s no greater feeling of satisfaction than seeing your car after a great clay, polish, and wax job.