Betalink for glueing shark fin

NGEE · 02-22-2022, 03:03 PM

Hey anyone out there have experience using Betalink K1 for glueing on a shark fin? I'm wrapping my roof and need to reinstall the shark fin, but I can't find any good instructions/DIY for the K1 glue. I believe it comes as a roll, so just wondering how to apply it. Also wondering how to clean up any excess after the install.

Any tips from your own experiences are greatly appreciated.

Andystobbs · 02-22-2022, 03:29 PM

I just stuck mine on with 3m tape. Contrary to BMW instructions but it was good enough for them in the factory.

NGEE · 02-22-2022, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andystobbs

I just stuck mine on with 3m tape. Contrary to BMW instructions but it was good enough for them in the factory.

I've read that the tape will leak. How long has yours been taped in?

e90yyc · 02-22-2022, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGEE

I believe it comes as a sausage, so just wondering how to work it.

BSM n54iS · 02-22-2022, 04:11 PM

^ lol beat me to it

Actually the 1 thing I ever had the dealership do for me (was when I first purchased the car) was betalink my oem spoiler for me, maybe like $50. My .02 I wouldn't even mess with it and have dealer do it, they can't fuck it up.. famous last words, but ya.

NGEE · 02-22-2022, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e90yyc

OMFG LOL!

Andystobbs · 02-22-2022, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NGEE

I've read that the tape will leak. How long has yours been taped in?

Hasn't seen any weather yet. I'm pretty confident in it though. I made a template for the front edge where it [the fin] is rounded. If it lets water in I'll be very surprised as the joints are TIGHT in the tape.

NGEE · 02-22-2022, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andystobbs

Hasn't seen any weather yet. I'm pretty confident in it though. I made a template for the front edge where it [the fin] is rounded. If it lets water in I'll be very surprised as the joints are TIGHT in the tape.

It sounded as though it wasn't the seal as much as the tape itself not being waterproof. Dunno, let us know how it turns out.

Serf27 · 02-22-2022, 11:37 PM

Doesn’t the actual antenna have its own seal against the roof of the car?

Andystobbs · 02-23-2022, 01:23 AM

Yes but its not absolute. Certainly wouldn't get past IP44.

BMW use a 3m gaske - imagine wide tape cut to profile - from new and it doesn't give trouble.

Biginboca · 02-23-2022, 06:22 AM

I also used 3m molding tape. I applied the tape around the entire circumference of the antenna cover in a way that it’s “fully walled” and haven’t had any water leak issues. If you just use a few small pieces then yes it will leak.

NGEE · 02-23-2022, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serf27

Doesn’t the actual antenna have its own seal against the roof of the car?

It appears stuck on with a molded adhesive strip/tape, like a gasket. When you cut through it to remove the antenna cover (shark fin) it's a beotch to scrape off both the car and the fin without scratching the hell out of them. Requires Goo-Gone or other such adhesive cutter and a plastic scraper.

NGEE · 02-23-2022, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biginboca

I also used 3m molding tape. ... If you just use a few small pieces then yes it will leak.

I don't see any way to use 3M tape without doing it in pieces. It seems like any butt seam or overlap seam is an invitation for leaking.

3M makes these sheets. Thoughts?

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/...YaAgidEALw_wcB

Serf27 · 02-23-2022, 11:19 AM

Yea, any seams or cuts without something in between will leak.
That sheet you linked will be perfect for 1 continuous seal.

If your antenna cover and the car is clean, the tape will seal out any water/debris.

Wolf 335 · 02-23-2022, 12:24 PM

As per realoem “Mounting roof antenna with glass adhesive”.

The fin itself should be attached with nothing but a double sided tape.

If you use betalink, that fin is never coming off again. And if for whatever reason you need to remove it, you will be repainting your roof as well.

ky0u · 02-23-2022, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

If you use betalink, that fin is never coming off again. And if for whatever reason you need to remove it, you will be repainting your roof as well.

Is betalink really that aggressive? My oe decklid spoiler was held on with betalink and I was able to remove it with a heatgun and a core strand of paracord (admittedly a pain in the ass though)

NGEE · 03-08-2022, 05:21 PM

I ended up ordering this 3M sheet, and cut out a form-fitting gasket with no seams/joints. I guess we will see, although since I'm donating the car on Friday so I guess we won't see lol

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/...8QfsqzpHikG9aE

Mike K · 03-08-2022, 10:08 PM

Wow nice donation!

02-22-2022, 03:03 PM	#1
NGEE Fuck it dude, let's go bowling. 888 Rep 2,480 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Not Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	Betalink for glueing shark fin Hey anyone out there have experience using Betalink K1 for glueing on a shark fin? I'm wrapping my roof and need to reinstall the shark fin, but I can't find any good instructions/DIY for the K1 glue. I believe it comes as a roll, so just wondering how to apply it. Also wondering how to clean up any excess after the install. Any tips from your own experiences are greatly appreciated. __________________ 1M. Previously: '13 135is; '07 E90 335i; '02 325i; '99 Z3; '98 328is; '87 L6; '77 320i Last edited by NGEE; 02-22-2022 at 04:43 PM..
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02-22-2022, 03:29 PM	#2
Andystobbs Captain 191 Rep 720 Posts Drives: E91 Lci, Vectra B V6 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Chester, South Wirral iTrader: (0)	I just stuck mine on with 3m tape. Contrary to BMW instructions but it was good enough for them in the factory.
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02-22-2022, 04:11 PM	#5
BSM n54iS Brigadier General 2685 Rep 4,203 Posts Drives: '11 335is \| '16 Macan Turbo Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere iTrader: (7)	^ lol beat me to it Actually the 1 thing I ever had the dealership do for me (was when I first purchased the car) was betalink my oem spoiler for me, maybe like $50. My .02 I wouldn't even mess with it and have dealer do it, they can't fuck it up.. famous last words, but ya. __________________ '11 335is BSM MT "BMW Performance Editon" \| '16 Porsche Macan Turbo GruppeM CF Intake \| AR Resonated DP \| ER CP \| Turbosmart RacePort BOV \| Cobb FMIC \| RB Inlets \| RB External Mishi/Turner OCC \| Michelin PS4 \| BMW Performance Springs/Bilstein B8 + Dinan & M3 bits \| BMW Brembo BBK \| BMW Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW Performance CF Lip \| BMW Performance Alcantara \| PS Designs GTS Armrest \| AG H6-40 \| Rear Seat Delete
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02-22-2022, 11:37 PM	#9
Serf27 Brigadier General 2856 Rep 4,324 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sitting in a BMW. iTrader: (-1)	Doesn’t the actual antenna have its own seal against the roof of the car?
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02-23-2022, 01:23 AM	#10
Andystobbs Captain 191 Rep 720 Posts Drives: E91 Lci, Vectra B V6 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Chester, South Wirral iTrader: (0)	Yes but its not absolute. Certainly wouldn't get past IP44. BMW use a 3m gaske - imagine wide tape cut to profile - from new and it doesn't give trouble.
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02-23-2022, 06:22 AM	#11
Biginboca Colonel 3767 Rep 2,738 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 328i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Boynton Beach, FL... USA iTrader: (3)	I also used 3m molding tape. I applied the tape around the entire circumference of the antenna cover in a way that it’s “fully walled” and haven’t had any water leak issues. If you just use a few small pieces then yes it will leak. __________________ My E92 328csl Build Thread My 328csl Instagram Page
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02-23-2022, 11:19 AM	#14
Serf27 Brigadier General 2856 Rep 4,324 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Sitting in a BMW. iTrader: (-1)	Yea, any seams or cuts without something in between will leak. That sheet you linked will be perfect for 1 continuous seal. If your antenna cover and the car is clean, the tape will seal out any water/debris.
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02-23-2022, 12:24 PM	#15
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2367 Rep 3,560 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	As per realoem “Mounting roof antenna with glass adhesive”. The fin itself should be attached with nothing but a double sided tape. If you use betalink, that fin is never coming off again. And if for whatever reason you need to remove it, you will be repainting your roof as well.
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03-08-2022, 05:21 PM	#17
NGEE Fuck it dude, let's go bowling. 888 Rep 2,480 Posts Drives: 1M Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Not Massachusetts iTrader: (0)	I ended up ordering this 3M sheet, and cut out a form-fitting gasket with no seams/joints. I guess we will see, although since I'm donating the car on Friday so I guess we won't see lol https://www.digikey.com/en/products/...8QfsqzpHikG9aE __________________ 1M. Previously: '13 135is; '07 E90 335i; '02 325i; '99 Z3; '98 328is; '87 L6; '77 320i
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03-08-2022, 10:08 PM	#18
Mike K Lieutenant 332 Rep 400 Posts Drives: 2011 e91 328i RWD Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Chicago Area iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 328i e91 [0.00]	Wow nice donation!
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