AeroGrip™ Instructions
Test fitting
Prior to installation, it is recommended to determine your desired placement and test fit the needed length before cutting or adhering your AeroGrip™ strips.
NXTGEN AeroGrips™ are a universal product, which can be cut to size and placed as needed to best fit your specific crossbars and crossbar accessories.
Please Note: For best results, AeroGrip™ strips should be placed on the forward facing or center portions of the crossbar and not the rear.
Surface Preparation
Prior to installing NXTGEN AeroGrips™, it is important to prepare your crossbars by throughly cleaning and drying them. It is recommended to use 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, which will remove all contaminates and residues. This surface preparation will promote the best possible adhesion between the 3M VHB™ adhesive and your crossbars. You may choose to leave your crossbars on the vehicle or remove them based on your own preferences and weather conditions.
3M VHB™(very heavy bond) is a premium, high performance adhesive intended to create a lifelong bond to properly prepared metal, glass and plastic surfaces and is designed to commercially replace nuts and bolts. While VHB™ can stick to rubber, a special adhesive promotor is required for proper bonding. Therefore, it is advised to adhere AeroGrips™ to glass, metal or plastic products only. For best results, it is recommended to install AeroGrips™ at a minimum ambient temperature range between 65 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. If the ambient temperature is below this range, it is recommended to warm your crossbars with a hair dryer prior to installation. If installing in a warm environment, you may skip pre-warming the application site.
Installation
Now that the surface has been prepared and you have test fit the AeroGrip™ strips, it is time for installation. Remove a few inches of the adhesive backing and carefully place the endpoint as desired, then press it in place. Hold the endpoint and then peel small portions of adhesive back at a time and work in small, 3-5 inch portions at a time. Please Note: It is advised to not stretch the strips while adhering, as the extra tension can lessen the adhesives bond.
In order to size the AeroGrip™ strips as needed for your project, simply cut with a scissors. You can slightly stretch the strip at the ends if needed to get a clean cut.
Setting The Adhesive
A critical step in the installation process is to set the adhesive between the AeroGrip™ and crossbar. In order to achieve this, simply heat each strip for a few minutes. We recommend using a hair dryer in order to heat the adhesive and rubber without it getting too hot from a heat gun. Be sure to evenly heat the areas, as the heat is highly important to setting the adhesive. Massage the strips down after heating and be careful of warm surfaces.
Securing The Ends
In order to ensure long term adhesion and durability, it is recommended to secure the endpoints, which can be prone to lifting. This is often due to all of the touching of the ends and manipulation of the strips during installation. Oils and dirt introduced to the strips endpoints during this process will make them less tacky than the other parts of the strips. On some crossbar models, this can simply be achieved by tucking AeroGrip™ strips under the plastic end-caps.
On crossbars where AeroGrip™ strips cannot fit under the crossbar end-caps, it is recommend to secure the endpoints with a small dab of adhesive in two spots. Peel about 1/2 an inch of the strip off the bar surface, and apply a dab of adhesive both between the rubber and adhesive strip, as well as the bar and the adhesive strip. Allow to cure, and then you have completed the installation.
AeroGrip™ Removal
Need to remove your AeroGrip™ Strips? Removal is quick and easy, simply heat the strip and start by peeling an endpoint. Use caution as the components may be hot to the touch. A plastic putty knife or trim tool may be used to aid in peeling the strips. Once removed, Goo Gone®, rubbing alcohol or similar can be used to remove any remaining adhesive residue.
