Side Louver Installation

[walkerwde]

I purchased some of the upgraded aluminum side louver but I have no clue how to install them. I thought maybe 3m tape but for some reason it doesn't like to stick to fiberglass. Anyway any help would be much appreciated.

[FF33rod]

Panel Bond works well for stuff like that, Evercoat makes some...
https://www.evercoat.com/product/maxim-panel-bonding-adhesive/

Steve

[Lidodrip]

Like others, I used bonding fasteners (4 per side). These get bonded to the inside of the fiberglass body leaving you mounting bolts to attach the louvers. Allows for easy installation and removal (if necessary).

If you are unfamiliar with bonding fasteners, here is an example - https://www.bossard.com/global-en/product-solutions/brands/embedding-and-surface-bonding-fasteners/

James

[Bob Cowan]

Using some two ton epoxy, I glued velcro strips to the body and the louvers. Very easy to remove, but solid and never seem to move around.

Some maintenance items will be much easier if you can reach through the side fender. such as side pipe removal, master cylinder removal, etc.

[edwardb]

I personally recommend studs bonded to the inside of the body and then the louvers held with washers and nuts. Rock solid and easily removeable. Note also, regardless of how you attach them. getting the opening right to match the louvers really contributes to the "look." Not to be picky, but I've seen a number where the opening didn't match the size or angle of the louvers. This is the process I've used on several Roadster builds. https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18591-EdwardBs-Mk4-8674-20th-Anniversary-Build&p=247719&viewfull=1#post247719

[Jeff Kleiner]

1"x1" 90 degree aluminum bolted to the louvers with 8-32 button heads and 4 1/4" by y1" elevator bolts bonded to the body with 3M HSRF. As Paul mentioned the FFR cutouts are not the right size or shape.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=196154&d=1532359532

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=196155&d=1709000253

If you send me a PM with your name and address I'll stick a template in an envelope and send it to you.

Jeff

[Mickeydee]

Hi Jeff
I would like a copy of your template please.
Mike Dull (mickeydee)
460 Litchfield Rd
Harwinton, Ct 06791
Please advise any cost and I will reimburse you.
Thank you

[rickster991]

Careful putting personal info here as you will get a bunch of scammers contacting you. Best to provide via a private message. Ask me how I know…

[GoDadGo]

My louvers are held in place by Mopar 383 emblems.
While this only works for me, the pin through design works well.
They are very small but make a very bold statement.

https://www.autometaldirect.com/hood-insert-emblem-383-69-roadrunner?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22700055779&gbraid=0AAAAADOCN8ByffB354CJwX_vNfI2--vD5&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm93DBhD_ARIsADR_DjEm1_nTdHpiWriZW00Q z0oyshtrvpX520WHN26oTGteHwB0ZYwOIb4aAjN6EALw_wcB

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[Rebostar]

As others have mentioned I used bonding studs I found at McMaster Carr. I rivited on 1" angle aluminum top and bottom of the louvers. Laid out the louvers where I wanted them on the car and marked them. Then bonded on the studs with 2 ton epoxy. (They are the small round items in the 3rd pic.) Then drilled the holes in the angles. I had them chrome plated. They look great.
Good Luck
Allyn

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[CVarner]

Hey Allyn,
Did you cutout the full 8 3/4” that you have pictured on the cardboard as opposed to the much smaller template?
Thanks Casey

[Rebostar]

Hey Allyn,
Did you cutout the full 8 3/4” that you have pictured on the cardboard as opposed to the much smaller template?
Thanks Casey

Casey
The 8 3/4 is the "overall dimention of the louvers. I needed to make a template to make sure I had a good overlap for mounting the studs.

[Fman]

I purchased some of the upgraded aluminum side louver but I have no clue how to install them. I thought maybe 3m tape but for some reason it doesn't like to stick to fiberglass. Anyway any help would be much appreciated.

I used 3M industrial strength velcro and after 7900 miles and 4 years on the road now it has been holding solid. It is rated for 20 lbs. If you go this route you definitely need to clean the fiberglass with a good solvent before adhering the velcro.

https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-Strength-Waterproof-Fasteners-Classroom/dp/B0C9DL9LK4/ref=sr_1_15?crid=3RMGJT8HTZNLD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.EYHurIj5-7Urb7nuhUnTEgGOVhnLEpfl44sSkxknUdvVk4Z2dMunzgUK5ge DNy1YBBJvle4ZqMMg5jSd5PuJVxcZmKSwVzUGOg68NqHQwEcnL QtH71XI6h3G4g4cdKVQUXpzmx8CJ7SSw3Wq0Q5ZMzDrzC8bX1I 75yBdLyPRBqj3Eg893gkRAcfDDkWhDvYXfkqXUIQ9vdIBhNWK_ JgqqhTIY2mTNTbldTbWmcOpkto.YQkcQpd14eZ6ABQFKZV4lX8 H3H2qcyhiVKL_S9Xb2lk&dib_tag=se&keywords=3m+industrial+strength+velcro&qid=1753658801&sprefix=3m+industrial+strength+velcro%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-15

[OSU Cowboy]

I went the industrial velcro method also. I think it works great. 25K miles and no issues. The really nice thing about this approach is that the removal when needed for access to other items (side pipe bolts/nuts being the most common for me) is that they are easily removable. No blind searches for nuts on bonded studs on the engine bay side.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Have 10 years on my velcro mounts.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=147389&d=1620193320

[Mig66]

I went the industrial velcro method also. I think it works great. 25K miles and no issues. The really nice thing about this approach is that the removal when needed for access to other items (side pipe bolts/nuts being the most common for me) is that they are easily removable. No blind searches for nuts on bonded studs on the engine bay side.

Can you send a few pics and maybe describe exactly how you installed? Needing to do mine, thanks.

[OSU Cowboy]

On the lower side, I used 1/2" aluminum angle, bonded to the body. My louvers have 4 tabs on them, two pointing down and two pointing up. I cut the 1/2 aluminum angle to locate the two tabs that point down. Velcro is on the top side of the angle that match with velcro locations on the bottom side of the louvers. On the top side, I've got aluminum bonded to the inside of the body with velcro on the aluminum piece that runs the length of the matching velcro at the top of the louver. I attached another length of aluminum to the top of the louver using the two tabs on the louver that point up. So I've got velcro attachment on the top side, and the bottom side is like a small shelf that locates the louver and holds it with the velcro on the bottom side.

Hope this helps. If you have those tabs on the top and bottom of your louvers, this should work well for you.

[Papa]

Can you send a few pics and maybe describe exactly how you installed? Needing to do mine, thanks.

Here are some posts from my build thread that might help:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?24916-Papa-s-MKIV-Roadster-Build-9115-(Post-Grad)-One-million-views!!!&p=339267&viewfull=1#post339267

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?24916-Papa-s-MKIV-Roadster-Build-9115-(Post-Grad)-One-million-views!!!&p=342594&viewfull=1#post342594

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?24916-Papa-s-MKIV-Roadster-Build-9115-(Post-Grad)-One-million-views!!!&p=347789&viewfull=1#post347789

[Valkster]

Here are a few links I saved from a search a year ago or so. They were informative like the ones in this thread and may be redundant. One thing I hadn't figured out yet is should the aluminum angle be flush with the face of teh louver, or recessed a bit to allow for the bonding bolts, or even more to allow for some adjusting. I haven't seen a good edge-view pic of that.

-Mark

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18591-EdwardBs-Mk4-8674-20th-Anniversary-Build&p=247719&viewfull=1#post247719
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?50775-Current-Assembled-Louver-Options

[Valkster]

I am in the process of wrapping up the louver openings and body touches before primer. Here is what I did to attach the mounting flanges. It seems really sturdy, and I won't have screw heads showing in the louvers. I used an already worn cutoff wheel for a dremel tool, and after marking locations with a felt tip pen, cut slots in my mounting flanges. The slots line up with the tabs (partially unfolded or completely unfolded depending on the tab) that hold the fins in the louver assembly. I offset the flange a bit so I can use nuts on both sides of the flange to dial-in the louver face to the body. I feel it came out pretty well. I need to do a little sanding and cleanup in these photos, but it shows the general idea. Hope it helps someone or offers a rigid alternative to screws.

-Mark

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