Is this a new addition?

[TbirdMarty]

When we picked up our car and the sales guy went over everything with us one of the items in the trunk along with the carrier, cover, tonneau cover, and wax was a cardboard sleeve that contained a strip of tape to help protect the rear deck area. My question is this; Is this a new addition to try to address the wear problems some of us have experienced? Or has this come with these cars from day one? I don't think I will use it as the instructions say not to exceed a 3 month period with the top on the car. The instruction also say that this tape is approved by Ford for use on painted surfaces. What do you think? Use this or push for the addition of the chrome strip?

------------------
Courage - and shuffle the cards

[RTBRD]

Sounds like a new addition, you are the first one I have heard mention it. I have also never heard of the 3 month period for the top, does that mean riding on the tape or having the top on for 3 months? That would suck if you live up north.

[TbirdMarty]

RTBRD;

I don't have a scaner or such but if you would like I will be glad to type out the instructions as show on the card inclosed with the material.
They are as follows:

1 Surface Preparation
.The surface of the vehicle must be
clean of all dirt and debris.
.The surface must be dry.
.The minimum temprature of the body
surface should not be lower than 65F.
.The maximum temperature of the body
surface should not exceed 90F.

2 Applying Die-Cut Material to the Vehicle
.Tape should be applied each time before
the removable top is put on the car.
.Retract convertible top - open position.
.Alcohol wipe surface with lint-free cloth
(package provided).
.Select Driver-Side Front (DSF) die-cut
piece.
.Remove backing paper.
.Starting at the rear of the door opening,
apply die-cut to quarter panel(figure A)
At rear corner curve, fold flap downward
so that it wraps around edge of sheet
metal.
.Press firmly to secure to vehicle (apply
slowly and press down as you go to avoid
wrinkles or air bubbles in film).
.Selkect Passenger-Side Front (PSF) die-
cut piece.
.Wipe surface, remove backing, and repeat
steps listed above for application to
quarter panel.
.Select Driver-Side Rear (DSR) and
Passenger-Side Rear (PSR) pieces.
.Wipe surface, remove backing, and repeat
steps listed above for application along
back surface.

3 Performance
.Application of tape should not exceed
period of 3 months or approximately
4,000 miles while top is on vehicle.
.the adhesive goes on with low initial
adhesive to allow for positioning and
ease of application. Adhesive strength
will grow after 1 hour of application
and will reach maximum bonding strength
after 24 hours.
.Once applied, tape can withstand any
weather, car wash, or wind conditions.
.This tape has been approved by Rord for
use on painted surfaces and should not
be substituted with a different material.

4 Removal
.Tape can be pulled off easily in the same
manner in which it was applied (figure B).
.Tape should be removed when removable top
is removed or every 3 months or 4,000
miles, whichever comes first.
.If adhesive residue is on the car, clean
surface with isopropal alcohol or very
light non-abrasive soap.

That is the extent of the instructions with of course some diagrams to show how to apply the tape strips. It doesn't sound like a very good fix if you have to take the tape off every time you take the top off. Or it might even be a little harmful to the paint if you can't exceed 3 months with it on the car. I would be interested to hear what everyone thinks on this subject. I won't be putting this on my Bird.





------------------
Courage - and shuffle the cards

[T02 Bird]

Marty,

I'm also surprised that the car didn't get shipped with the tape already installed. I assume your car came with the hardtop on it already as the rest of ours did. This is very telling that this is not a long-term solution to the problem at hand.

KB

[DavidA]

That is definately something new. It sounds like a temporary fix to a longstanding problem. Let's hope they come up with something a litle better than an adhesive strip. See you at the Rally! Sounds like Joel is going to have his too. http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[Bird02]

We also just unpacked our trunk, and found
the same tape as TbirdMarty. I don't think
we will use tape either. We are planning
on taking top off tomorrow, and will probably
store it till next fall.

------------------
Lucille
-----------
'87 TurboCoupe
'02 Blue#114987
'96 Bronco
'98 Windstar Van
'95 Miata M Edition
'95 Miata Red/Tan

[K6RU]

I got the same package...too strange to use. There has to be a better solution.

------------------
Chuck

[charliefed]

Just checked my gift box. Clear coat polish, NO TAPE.

------------------
Charlie
VENUS, a Blue/Blue Premium w/full accent.
VIN 12778

[TbirdMarty]

Charlie;

The "tape" as Ford calls it comes in a long cardboard sleeve. Basically two pieces of cardboard taped together with the material in flat sheets inside along with the installation instructions.

------------------
Courage - and shuffle the cards

[rlstonejr]

step 1 - convince Ford there is a problem.
step 2 - have Ford admit there is a problem.
step 3 - Ford solves problem.

we have succeeded thru step 2. the real step 3 can't be far behind. it would be interesting to see if someone complains about the abrasion problem now, if the dealer gives them some tape.

------------------
neiman vin#00035
delivered October 4, 2001

[Gobird]

http://www.fordthunderbirdforum.com/ubb/eek.gif Boy, don't you have to wonder where Ford got the tape idea!! Maybe off of some forum they read.

------------------
02 T-Bird 9293
69 Vette
73 MGB
97 F-150 4x4
2-Seadoo Jet Skies
a dog a cat and a couple hundred fish in my pond

[joelja]

Have I mentioned ....I can't wait!!!!!

[TbirdMarty]

joelga;

How many days/minutes/seconds until your Bird arrives?

------------------
Courage - and shuffle the cards

[DavidA]

Poor POOR Joel. I really don't think he's going to make it!

[RazzFla]

The Ford guy who thought of the tape must have been used to "Duct Tape:. We all know That fixes everything.

[leisha]

It sounds like GOBIRD is right, the 'tape ' must be clear and it souds like the 3 M stuff used on the 'invisable bra' from a previous post.
I wonder if the invisable bra needs changing afet 3 months! It seems to me it was pretty pricy from 3M precut.

If anyone puts it on please let us know.

[greenwr]

I had a window tint place put the 3M plastic under the seal area of the hard top. The top makes more noise now than it ever did with out the tape in place. It is a bumping sound, not the groaning as before. The tape and installation cost $65 and I am beginning to wonder if it was worth it. I do hope Ford will come out with the SS trim to go under the top.

------------------
Bill's Red and White #4359
Tag # 15AGAIN

[KYbluebird]

Did the window tint people did clamp down the rear top latches? that could explain the bumping.

[greenwr]

Yes, I put the top back on with one of them to help me. I checked that it was clamped down as soon as it started making noise. I think the plastic is slicker than the painted surface. I am going to Houston May 3rd and if it keeps the noise up, I will remove the plastic.

------------------
Bill's Red and White #4359
Tag # 15AGAIN

[caminmich]

I took delivery of my new bird 2 weeks ago and I too received the tape strips with the long and scary directions. I don't think I'll be using them either. I was not aware of all the problems with the hard tops. Is permanent damage being done to the vehicles?

Cameron Lynn
'02 Whisper White on Whisper White

[RTBRD]

caminmich,

I don't think I have you listed in the database, please see my thread "Database Info for the New Birds - post here Update 1", thanks.

RTBRD

[whiskeyman]

TbirdMarty

I saw the chrome strip being installed on the rear deck on two "Robin Egg Blue 2003" Birds while I was on my tour at Wixom on 3/21/02. Only two holes needed to be drilled for the installation of this strip. I believe this will be a good fix for the "top rub" problem the 02 Bird.

I took delivery on my Blue on Blue Premium on 3/26 and I to received the tape to put on the deck for the top. I'm will not use this tape and will support any effort to force Ford Motor to suuply and have the dealer install this strip to all 2002 Bird owners at no cost.


Mike

West Chester, Ohio

------------------

[ldavenport]

I took delivery of red/white/red 15606 on 4/22. It also had the cardboard package with the strip.