SPF wheel-well padding/liner

ou812545 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008, 11:14 AM

I have read all the postings on the different wheel-well liners for the SPF and I decided to go with what Top of the Hill Performance has to offer. Basically, pre-cut 1/4 inch thick foam padding with self adhesive backing.

I have SPF# 2168 and it already has a thin factory lining or padding.
My questions are:

1. Any recommendations on weather I apply the new padding over the existing or remove the existing first. TTH recommends removing the existing padding first.

2. Has anyone removed the existing padding on a later SPF and is it difficult? Any suggestions on how to best do this?

Thanks for any suggestions.
Dan

Flyin_Freddie · #2 (**permalink**) 03-18-2008, 11:55 AM

Hey, Dan...how's it hangin'...?

I've not had any direct experience with removing the factory-installed liners, but I would suspect they're stuck on with a rubber-based contact glue...same stuff as Top of the Hill uses on their pre-cut padding. Most times, using something like a heat gun to heat and soften the adhesive works well to help loosen its grip. Then, once removed, use something like lacquer thinner or acetone to clean the rest of the glue off....watch the fumes and use protective rubber gloves...both of these will eat your hands UP! Also - DO NOT - repeat, DO NOT - let either lacquer thinner or acetone get on your paint!!! I don't need to tell you what either one of these will do to your painted surfaces, do I...?

Then, wait for everything to dry....you'll still leave some glue behind, no doubt...wait overnight, if possible.

Then, it's just a peel and stick application after that.

I found that the stuff works best - for me, anyway - by peeling only about a half of the paper backing off, then position one of the edges of the piece where it needs to be...then stick it down and continue slowly peeling off the backing and sticking it down as you go. Be careful not to get an air bubble under it as it will pull loose from the inside of the fender later on....ask me how I know this....go ahead, just ask...

Also, I used a small wooden wall paper seam roller to roll down my liners...worked well.

Hope this helps...

JCoop · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 05:15 PM

I'm just wondering why you want to change the factory liner. The factory reacted to owners of older cars that experienced spider cracks in the fender paint after getting small rocks kicked up by the front tires. The standard preventive fix was to affix the said foam or frp squares. I used Dynomat. So the factory has made it standard on the newer series like yours; do they not do the job?
Again just curious.
Cheers and good luck!

ou812545 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2008, 08:05 PM

-Flying Freddie, Thanks for the info and I wont ask you if your liner started to peel.
-JCoop, SPF did attempt to address the problem and with most tires I'm sure they did. I have sticky tires and they seem to kick up everything I drive over. I have not damaged anything yet, but I want to make sure I don't. The factory liner doesn't cover the entire wheel-well and is a bit thinner than the one I plan to install.
I will keep you posted.

Dan

JCoop · #5 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 07:33 AM

OK, thanks, Dan. I see where you're coming from...

What tires are you using? I used Nitto Drag radials on the Cobra occasionally and boy, do they kick up debris. I have Goodyear racing billboards on the GT40 and they are sticky but don't pick up as much; still more than the street tires. The Dynamat's working well so far. One corner started to peel off, and I just paid attention to PREPARATION (ultra cleaning) when I replaced it.

RedBarchetta · #6 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 09:04 AM

I did my own for about $50 in materials. Bought 1/8" black foam rubber sheets from a local arts & crafts house. Went to Pep Boys and bought some spray bed-liner (I believe the brand I settled on was from Blue Magic) and 3M trim spray adhesive (same stuff you would use for a headliner). The rear wheel wells were easier to do. Just used a razor blade and carefully cut pieces to fit...a little tedious and it took about 6-7 pieces per wheel well to get complete coverage. Then cleaned up the insides with wax and grease remover and masked off everything with 3M blue masking tape (2") and auto painting masking paper so that no overspray would get anywhere. Glued the panels (sort of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle) using the spray adhesive, let dry, then followed up with 2-3 coats of the spray bed liner. You will need a big sheet of cardboard to spray the panels before you install them. Looks pro (goes within 1/4" of the wheelwell edge but you can't see it/feel it until you place a finger under the wheelwell) and it's working (so far...knock on wood).

-Dean #747

Bob In Ct · #7 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 09:30 AM

Hey Guys:
Last summer I bought the precut adhesive backed foam (5/16) package for Top of the Hill (Craig Hill). It was pricey but so far it has stayed in place. The sections fit my SPF well. It's all about the prep. Top of the Hill sent directions.

Bob

Randy Rosenberg · #8 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 10:58 AM

TOTH installed their padding in my SPF back in 2001, and it has held up without a flaw.

Bxx1 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-21-2008, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCoop

I'm just wondering why you want to change the factory liner. The factory reacted to owners of older cars that experienced spider cracks in the fender paint after getting small rocks kicked up by the front tires. The standard preventive fix was to affix the said foam or frp squares. I used Dynomat. So the factory has made it standard on the newer series like yours; do they not do the job?
Again just curious.
Cheers and good luck!

I like the Dynomat concept... how has it held up after a few years? Any issues??

JCoop · #10 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bxx1

I like the Dynomat concept... how has it held up after a few years? Any issues??

Quite well, in fact. I had gotten quite a bit of it to line my CAV GT40's floor, doors, and firewall, then had enough left over for the wheel wells for both cars. Quieted the GT quite a bit; enough that now, I could hear the windnoise and will have to work on seals next.

I didn't cut to fit, rather just took a 2' X 3' piece and laid it on. Having had the unfortunate consequence of an unlined Cobra wheelwell in a previous SPF, I centered the pieces over the anticipated target spot. It was just behind the 12:00 position of the wheel. I've had a couple of Oops knocks from the front fenders and no damage. Biggest problem now is road rash on the nose from New York highway debris. Clear static cling pieces are doing its job but It seems only a full clear nose bra would be the only preventative.

Oh, I just bought a can of soap-and-water-removable clear spray paint from Autozone. Haven't sprayed it on yet but maybe it will help. Pricey at about $9 each.

ENTDOC · #11 (**permalink**) 03-22-2008, 08:54 AM

I used this stuff for my interior of the GT40 and wheel liner for it also, it does not absorb water since it is closed cell.

http://stores.ebay.com/HarTech-Industries

Bxx1 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCoop

Quite well, in fact. I had gotten quite a bit of it to line my CAV GT40's floor, doors, and firewall, then had enough left over for the wheel wells for both cars. Quieted the GT quite a bit; enough that now, I could hear the windnoise and will have to work on seals next.

I didn't cut to fit, rather just took a 2' X 3' piece and laid it on. Having had the unfortunate consequence of an unlined Cobra wheelwell in a previous SPF, I centered the pieces over the anticipated target spot. It was just behind the 12:00 position of the wheel. I've had a couple of Oops knocks from the front fenders and no damage. Biggest problem now is road rash on the nose from New York highway debris. Clear static cling pieces are doing its job but It seems only a full clear nose bra would be the only preventative.

Oh, I just bought a can of soap-and-water-removable clear spray paint from Autozone. Haven't sprayed it on yet but maybe it will help. Pricey at about $9 each.

Thanks for the info!

ou812545 · #13 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008, 12:01 PM

FYI - The wheel well padding is installed on SPF2168. I purchased the pre-cut padding from Top of the Hill in Livermore and had Jeff (Club Cobra ID: "CSX WNAB") Installed them.
It took a bit of work to remove the original SPF padding, but Jeff did an amazing job. The new installed padding covers the entire upper wheel wells. Jeff's install looks as good or better than if it came from the SPF factory. when I get a little more time I will post some pictures of the process and finished product.

I highly recommend Jeff ("CSX WNAB") if you want any work done on your Cobra and you are in the SF Bay Area. Once you see his SPF and CSX's he has worked on you will know why I recommend him. You can usually find him at the NorCal breakfasts in Livermore on Saturday mornings or pm him on this site.

Dan