OEM Roof Light Bar install exact VBH tape + primer + felt/fleck info?

[HMGT3]

Hey everyone
I’m considering buying a brand new OEM Cybertruck roof light bar off eBay, but I’m getting totally lost in the tape/primer/felt details. There’s a lot of conflicting info and I want to do it exactly right the first time.

For those of you who have installed the OEM roof light bar:

1. Which exact VBH tape did you use?
   • Brand + exact model/part number (and width/thickness if you know it)
2. Did you use primer/adhesion promoter?
   • Exact product name + part number (and whether you primed both surfaces or only the bar)
3. What “felt/fleck” did you use (if any)?
   • Exact type/product (and where you placed it: edges only, full length, etc.)
4. Any “wish I knew this before” tips?
   • Surface prep, temp range, clamp/pressure method, cure time, alignment tricks, etc.

I’m specifically looking for confirmed part numbers and what worked long-term (no lift/no water/no wind noise). Appreciate any help.

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[Sposborn]

I am following this thread for proper adhere methods.

I have a bracket that uses the applique mounts for the bar. Tested with abs this week and it worked great. (just shitty 3m tape to hold while bracket testing was underway) will have this milled in aluminum for additional testing.

 

[hemiarch]

Did my best to describe my process here:
https://www.cybertruckownersclub.com/forum/threads/best-way-to-glue-on-a-used-oem-beast-bar.45326/
The are some very helpful contributors on the same thread too

 

[hemiarch]

I am following this thread for proper adhere methods.

I have a bracket that uses the applique mounts for the bar. Tested with abs this week and it worked great. (just shitty 3m tape to hold while bracket testing was underway) will have this milled in aluminum for additional testing.

Would you mind sharing your bracket design? I’m curious. No problems with mine but I’d like to add brackets as additional insurance

 

[Sposborn]

Would you mind sharing your bracket design? I’m curious. No problems with mine but I’d like to add brackets as additional insurance

Oh yeah I’ll get the STL file uploaded and shared on here along with on the other thread around the bulliten.

I’m on my phone and computer has the files but should be home in the mornin.

 

[hemiarch]

Oh yeah I’ll get the STL file uploaded and shared on here along with on the other thread around the bulliten.

I’m on my phone and computer has the files but should be home in the mornin.

Thank you

 

[HMGT3]

Did my best to describe my process here:
https://www.cybertruckownersclub.com/forum/threads/best-way-to-glue-on-a-used-oem-beast-bar.45326/
The are some very helpful contributors on the same thread too

Thank you very much. This is a great help.

 

[HMGT3]

I am following this thread for proper adhere methods.

I have a bracket that uses the applique mounts for the bar. Tested with abs this week and it worked great. (just shitty 3m tape to hold while bracket testing was underway) will have this milled in aluminum for additional testing.

Thank you. That’s what I’m looking for too. Depending on just VHB scares me.

 

[Eka]

I've used VHB tapes often.

The secret to VHB tape is super clean surfaces that mate properly and adhesive promoters. Also giving it the time to fully bond. It can take 4 to 5 days to achieve full bond strength. 3M adhesive promoters with 3M VHB tape can lead to a 2X to 5X stronger joint over just cleaning. Also many cleaning solvents can cause issues to the VHB adhesives, so time for them to evaporate away is required. I have sometimes done post cleaning rinses with deionized distilled water to remove the last cleaning solvent remnants. After the water dries fully, then I use the adhesive promoter.

One thing with VHB tape is I try to "roll" the joint together. I bring the surfaces together at one spot, then work pressing it together advancing towards the other end or side. This can be tricky if the parts are very stiff. I haven't seen the parts. I assume the windshield is inflexible. Any flexibility for this has to be in the light bar. The reason I do this is to avoid bubbles. This is a big issue with wide tape bonded areas.

For this application there is the issue of wind driven water penetration. It will find it's way into any crack, and freeze. That can slowly separate the glue joint more and more with every freeze thaw cycle. A UV stable silicone caulk could be used to prevent water from making it to the VHB tape edge.

There are also marine adhesive sealants that could be used for gluing down the light bar. I don't have recent experience with them, and the tech has changed a lot since I used them last.

 

[hemiarch]

Any progress on the brackets yet from anyone?

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