[Xiaoxi]

Hey guys, I'm planning on wrapping the roof when my car gets in. I'm talking with a wrap shop, and we're both wondering about the following:

1. How difficult is it to remove the antennae fin? Is it a tape removal like the e90 or does it involve more than that?

2. How difficult is it to lift the side rails so that they can be included in the wrap?

[Xiaoxi]

anyone...?

[TUN3D]

Xiaoxi > I would do 5-6 coats of black plasti dip and a few of glossifer. Not in your garage or with a can -- LOL, I mean professionally. No fin removal needed, no razor. Not a fan of razors on paint

Just my 2-cents.

PS. If they're wondering about it, take it to someone else who has worked on BMW's or has wrapped BMW's.

[e46m3lol]

Removing the antenna on the 2 series is no where near as easy as the E9X chassis. The F series chassis use an adhesive similar to that of BMW betalink. I read somewhere on here that you can remove it with some strong fishing line and a lot of patience.

[Iceman51sn]

Originally Posted by TUN3D

If they're wondering about it, take it to someone else who has worked on BMW's or has wrapped BMW's.

This!! There are plenty of great shops out there that have many BMW's under their belt. Had mine done a couple of weeks ago. Got it done in about an hour, no problems.

[Xiaoxi]

Originally Posted by e46m3lol

Removing the antenna on the 2 series is no where near as easy as the E9X chassis. The F series chassis use an adhesive similar to that of BMW betalink. I read somewhere on here that you can remove it with some strong fishing line and a lot of patience.

But this means there's no need to tear open anything on the inside roof of the cabin to unscrew the fin, correct? At the end of the day it's still just adhesive on the outer surface?

Originally Posted by TUN3D

PS. If they're wondering about it, take it to someone else who has worked on BMW's or has wrapped BMW's.

It's not that this shop hasn't done BMWs, they just haven't worked on the F22 in particular. For all intents and purposes, are the roof rails and fins identical to F30?

[e46m3lol]

Originally Posted by Xiaoxi

But this means there's no need to tear open anything on the inside roof of the cabin to unscrew the fin, correct? At the end of the day it's still just adhesive on the outer surface?

It's not that this shop hasn't done BMWs, they just haven't worked on the F22 in particular. For all intents and purposes, are the roof rails and fins identical to F30?

That is correct. There are no screws that are coming up from under the headliner. The only screw is number 3 but that holds down the actual antenna onto the roof just like how the e9x chassis had them.

[TUN3D]

Xiaoxi > Looks like every other shark fin out there: http://realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?...17&hg=65&fg=30

Should come out in the same fashion. I've looked everywhere trying to find more info.

Found this (if you decide to try it on your own):
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...=797745&page=2

And also this:
http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1022873

I reached out to > Boxman911 to see if he remembers how they did it.

==========

The only other thing I would do, is call around to other vinyl shops and ask if they have done a 2-series. That's what I meant with the whole experience bit. Get a quote (if they have), and specifically ask about the antenna procedure. Any info you can get could be useful.

[BLK235iNJ]

I had my entire car wrapped and we did not remove the antenna fin. I had the antenna fin wrapped a matte black. In regards to the rails... my vendor had no issue wrapping them.

consider that you most likely will have to pay labor time to remove the fin (if so then imo its a waste of money).

[Xiaoxi]

I was under the impression that the fin had to be removed in order for the roof wrap to be feasible and fully secured in place. Is this not necessary?

[BLK235iNJ]

I didn't have a single thing removed from my car. I didn't want to deal with any un-necessary risk. They wrapped my entire car without removing a thing.

That being said... I don't think taking that fin/cover off is a big deal or job. If he hasn't done it before then I would do it myself or have someone do it that has done it before. Why dont you ask your advisor? most are cool and will help you out.

Originally Posted by Xiaoxi

I was under the impression that the fin had to be removed in order for the roof wrap to be feasible and fully secured in place. Is this not necessary?

[Regardless]

just make sure you remove the wrap every year or so.. especially if your car is parked in the sun for most of the day.
Otherwise, when you want it off, you'll have to peel bits and pieces of wrap. Not fun.

Also, if you're car is parked under the sun for more than 8 hours a day, and you have a lighter colored car, i.e AW or GS, you can count on your paint changing colors..

[BLK235iNJ]

Thanks for the heads up. Luckily I have a garage.

Originally Posted by Regardless

just make sure you remove the wrap every year or so.. especially if your car is parked in the sun for most of the day.
Otherwise, when you want it off, you'll have to peel bits and pieces of wrap. Not fun.

Also, if you're car is parked under the sun for more than 8 hours a day, and you have a lighter colored car, i.e AW or GS, you can count on your paint changing colors..

[Boneman]

The fin does not need to be removed. If you have someone who does a lot of these, it can be wrapped very easily.

[HypeM235i]

I had mine wrapped, here's some pics - super simple job and only should take a good wrapper around 2 hours tops...

[HypeM235i]

P.S...

1) The fin is simple, they use wire to carefully remove it.
2) The rails pop out easily, but they may need to order a part to pop them back in I know my wrapper did, but again nothing to worry about and straight forward