[headhunter123]

I love the look of my plastic ones but they tap a little on the glass around 80mph on the interstate. Kind of a pain to clean the back window.... But I love the look.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

Exactly. I want a set but how the heck do you clean the rear windows? I'm very meticulous/ OCD with my windows because I hate streaks, fingerprints and water spots on them.

 

[GKor]

I had a Mustang 5.0 that I had taped on louvres. Daily runs over 70 mph and several at 100 plus. Never had a problem and owned the car for 13 years.

 

[Speedr8cer82]

I bought a set of e&g louvers last month just waiting on a hot day to install them hehehe!
Can't wait

 

[itguy]

I bought the Dales aluminum louvers early this year. $870 delivered. I bought the ones that were designed for the double sided tape. I didn't want to drill any holes in my roof. I am an experienced auto body guy and use 3M tape for everything. The tape did not hold up very well in the NY summer heat. Down south or out west, it won't hold up at all. The hinges kept lifting and I was concerned it would blow off and wreck my rear deck lid or hit another car. I ended up drilling the roof and using what is called a "well nut". They are nuts that have a rubber coating and expand into the hole when the screw is tightened. (Also used clear silicone for extra protection). Haven't had any issues since. You do need to take your time and align everything before you attach anything. When opening my trunk, it just barely clears the lowest louver. It easy to pull the pins and clean the window. The headache is holding up the louvers while cleaning the glass. I made a wooden dowel rod to hold it up and it works well. The other headache is that when you wash the car, you need to take extra time cleaning under each louver where the water collects. I put Rain-X on the louvers so that when I drive , most of the water slides off. I still love the look and get many compliments. It did kill me having to drill the roof.

Those look great.

As an experienced body man, what do you think of painting the aluminium? I've read its all in the prep of course, but if I got a set of those I'd want them done in Black Crystal Pearl like my car.

By the way, love to see a pic of that shifter you mention in your sig

 

[movnviol]

Here is my shifter. Used to be brass and I had it chromed. Looks much better in chrome.

 

[Palerider15]

I bought the Dales aluminum louvers early this year. $870 delivered. I bought the ones that were designed for the double sided tape. I didn't want to drill any holes in my roof. I am an experienced auto body guy and use 3M tape for everything. The tape did not hold up very well in the NY summer heat. Down south or out west, it won't hold up at all. The hinges kept lifting and I was concerned it would blow off and wreck my rear deck lid or hit another car. I ended up drilling the roof and using what is called a "well nut". They are nuts that have a rubber coating and expand into the hole when the screw is tightened. (Also used clear silicone for extra protection). Haven't had any issues since. You do need to take your time and align everything before you attach anything. When opening my trunk, it just barely clears the lowest louver. It easy to pull the pins and clean the window. The headache is holding up the louvers while cleaning the glass. I made a wooden dowel rod to hold it up and it works well. The other headache is that when you wash the car, you need to take extra time cleaning under each louver where the water collects. I put Rain-X on the louvers so that when I drive , most of the water slides off. I still love the look and get many compliments. It did kill me having to drill the roof.

My experience w/ louvers is exactly the same as yours, only three years earlier. I put them on my B5 RTC in the end of 2010. I also had the Dale's aluminum tape on version. Spent the next two years trying to find a way to get the tape to stick...re-applying and using silicone to waterproof it. Nothing worked and I also eventually went to taking into a body shop and having well nuts installed. No problems after that as far as it being mounted. Also had the same issues with drying the louvers and rear window. I did it for the "look". Considering the expense and having to re-engineer the mounting process; I will not do it again on my SRT. Tint works just fine, IMHO.

 

[NDChally]

I have had a set on my 2011 I bought from Summit since 2012. I have had no issues with loosening and I have hit 150 mph with them on. Fit and finish is great. You just have to be darn careful when you apply the tabs to the window. Once they are attached there is no moving them.

Any lower on the window and it would hit the trunk when open.

 

[headhunter123]

How's cleaning windows and do you guys take it through a brush drive-thru car wash?

 

[itguy]

Here is my shifter. Used to be brass and I had it chromed. Looks much better in chrome.

I like it and certainly fits in with your avatar which I might guess is something you have experience in

Note: Sorry for the sidetrack on the thread.

 

[Kruzin]

How's cleaning windows and do you guys take it through a brush drive-thru car wash?

Why would anyone do that?
I won't even put my 180k mile beater Jeep through one of those scratch factories.
And, if you read back through the thread, you'll see many comments on the additional hassle it adds to cleaning the back glass.

 

[headhunter123]

Why would anyone do that?
I won't even put my 180k mile beater Jeep through one of those scratch factories.
And, if you read back through the thread, you'll see many comments on the additional hassle it adds to cleaning the back glass.

It's my car. I can put it through a "scratch factory" whenever I feel the need. I know it's a hassle. How would one clean those windows as I am meticulous with windows.

 

[Kruzin]

Meticulous with the windows, but willing to trash the paint...ok, your car as you said.

Some models hinge at the top, and you can prop them open. Other types have tabs adhered to the glass with thumb screws that you take off to remove the louvre completely for cleaning.

You will most likely damage the louvres if you run them through an automated wash. In fact, most will not allow them, if they are watching...and they definitely won't pay for the damage that will happen, just like they won't pay for broken antennas.

 

[idahoprime]

I have the aluminum Willpak louvers on mine, they screw on to plates attached to the windows, so they can be removed if you wished. Overall I wouldn't recommend these louvers as they have a weird curve in the fins that just doesn't look right sometimes. But, they are still pretty nice, they make a litle noise over 90 MPH but never had any problems. I also run it through a touchless automatic wash all the time with no issues. Well, there are 1 or 2 tiny chips of black that have come off of the louvers, but hardly noticeable and can easily be touched up. I plan on getting a set from Dale's in a few months to replace them

 

[headhunter123]

Meticulous with the windows, but willing to trash the paint...ok, your car as you said.

Some models hinge at the top, and you can prop them open. Other types have tabs adhered to the glass with thumb screws that you take off to remove the louvre completely for cleaning.

You will most likely damage the louvres if you run them through an automated wash. In fact, most will not allow them, if they are watching...and they definitely won't pay for the damage that will happen, just like they won't pay for broken antennas.

Thanks, that's all I wanted to know. I always pre-wash my car before going through drive thrus. I don't always go to one, only for emergencies or quick ones.

 

[whylee]

I just installed the ABS rear louvers and rear side window louvers. Love the look, alittle pricey for what you get, but the look is very retro. I will check them often, and replace the tape if needed.

 

[shaker0378]

Thanks, that's all I wanted to know. I always pre-wash my car before going through drive thrus. I don't always go to one, only for emergencies or quick ones.

The issue with most drive thru car washes is that the brushes that clean your car don't really ever get cleaned themselves, and so once they collect some dirt, they have the ability to scratch your paint as they clean your car.

If the car wash you use is brand new or meticulously maintained this might not be an issue, but this type of drive thru car wash tends to be rare.

 

[movnviol]

I practically have my own detail shop set up in my driveway. I have plastic all- weather cabinets with tons of cleaning supplies. I have a compressor in my basement that runs to a hose reel. I also have an electric 2000 psi pressure washer. (I go thru these every two years). I have a 30 foot hose attached to my central vacuum. I only wish I had a two car garage with a lift. Then I would be happy man! I use the compressor to blow the water from the louvers and then wipe everything down with a micro fiber cloth. I do run my ride thru a local car wash that is a hand wash only. They do a good job, although it takes about 45 minutes per car. Now that winter has finally come to NY, I put everything away and rent a storage garage for the next few months.

 

[Bob Tiley]

For the double sided tape versions use 3M - VHB tape. It a is a clear rubber tape with a red peel off backing. It can be used for adhering metal panel to the exterior of buildings so it is plenty strong but it cost $25 a roll.

 

[85olds4spd]

Here is a picture of mine that I got from summit racing. I had them on my 2012 rt from april of 2012 until I pulled them off in march of 2015 to put them on my scat pack. I never had any problems at all and as stated earlier prep work is the answer.

 

[movnviol]

The Dales louvers have a rubber trim that goes around the top and sides of the louvers. I guess they act as a rubber spacer to protect contact with the back window frame. I have to check the rear window when I exit a car wash, because the blower has a tendency to pull the rubber off the louver. The middle one is only 18 inches long and comes flying off the car.