[Flying05]

Looking to get my roof wrapped in gloss black xpel PPF, but I'm not sure what to do about the shark fin as I've heard it's a PITA to wrap. I've read something about dropping the interior roof to get it off and then I've seen folks that used fishing wire to realize the 3M and pulled it off. Not sure what the process is, but anybody have experience with this?

My options are attempt to have the shop wrap it, take it off and get it painted gloss black, or just leave it in the Brooklyn Gray color. Any thoughts?

I use XM so the carbon one from IND will not work.

[JerseyG80]

Originally Posted by Flying05

Looking to get my roof wrapped in gloss black xpel PPF, but I'm not sure what to do about the shark fin as I've heard it's a PITA to wrap. I've read something about dropping the interior roof to get it off and then I've seen folks that used fishing wire to realize the 3M and pulled it off. Not sure what the process is, but anybody have experience with this?

My options are attempt to have the shop wrap it, take it off and get it painted gloss black, or just leave it in the Brooklyn Gray color. Any thoughts?

I use XM so the carbon one from IND will not work.

Fin comes off with a heat gun and a pry tool. I just got my roof wrapped.

[Flying05]

Originally Posted by JerseyG80

Fin comes off with a heat gun and a pry tool. I just got my roof wrapped.

Is it then connected to some wire or something? Or is it literally just a cover?

[JerseyG80]

Originally Posted by Flying05

Is it then connected to some wire or something? Or is it literally just a cover?

Its just a cover. I was surprised too lol

[mapster37]

I would recommend not removing it, just have the wrap go around it.
FWIW, if you do remove/reinstall it and the car develops a water leak from there and you take it into the dealer you will probably be paying for the repair....

[Gfit]

When I did that on my old 340 I just bought a cover from eBay. Less than $30 and just double sided tape over existing. Just choose a US seller not China so you aren't waiting months.

[Flying05]

Originally Posted by mapster37

I would recommend not removing it, just have the wrap go around it.
FWIW, if you do remove/reinstall it and the car develops a water leak from there and you take it into the dealer you will probably be paying for the repair....

A lot of folks I read have removed over the years. Some say that 3M holds them on and some say a glue. If 3M, I'm sure that it could be replicated when out back on. I haven't seen water become an issue yet, but I also don't want to be the first.

[mapster37]

Most that i know of are glued down...

[Flying05]

Originally Posted by JerseyG80

Its just a cover. I was surprised too lol

So to confirm, no need to unscrew anything from under the rear headliner? Did you use the factory glue to put it back? Got to thinking that if it is glued, that would be key to keeping water out vs 3M.

Can you share a picture of your roof?

[mapster37]

The screw is only to secure the actual antenna base to the roof. The sharkfin is just a glued down cover for the antenna base.

[M3coco]

Did anyone have any luck removing the cover?

[lovesm3s]

my wrap guy did plastic dip for my matte wrap It's close but very tough to wrap otherwise. On my other cars with clear wrap he skipped it.

[Trevor K]

Originally Posted by lovesm3s

my wrap guy did plastic dip for my matte wrap It's close but very tough to wrap otherwise. On my other cars with clear wrap he skipped it.

I'd rather do this than risk removing the fin.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by Flying05

So to confirm, no need to unscrew anything from under the rear headliner? Did you use the factory glue to put it back? Got to thinking that if it is glued, that would be key to keeping water out vs 3M.

Can you share a picture of your roof?

The OEM shark fin is GLUED on and MUST BE REGLUED or you will get water intrusion into your navigation antenna and telematics control unit. Both of which not covered under warranty.

DO NOT USE 3 M tape.

You need to use a long box cutter blade and be very careful. Having tape double or even tripled around the entire perimeter of the fin. Having a 2nd person gently but firmly pulling against the fin on the opposite side you are cutting.

FYI, BMW sells an M Performance shark fin Made of Aramid which looks identical to carbon fiber and does not affect any signals. I have installed one on a customer M5.

[Flying05]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

The OEM shark fin is GLUED on and MUST BE REGLUED or you will get water intrusion into your navigation antenna and telematics control unit. Both of which not covered under warranty.

DO NOT USE 3 M tape.

You need to use a long box cutter blade and be very careful. Having tape double or even tripled around the entire perimeter of the fin. Having a 2nd person gently but firmly pulling against the fin on the opposite side you are cutting.

FYI, BMW sells an M Performance shark fin Made of Aramid which looks identical to carbon fiber and does not affect any signals. I have installed one on a customer M5.

Good to know on the BMW fin option. Never knew this.