Watch close @1:10 and you'll see they didn't remove the antenna base, they worked around it w/ a heat gun and cut it out.

 

Right. I didn't see a super close up shot but it probably looked pretty good if not perfect. If all else failed, I could get a black shark fin antenna to cover up any mess ups near the base since it is larger, right?

 

That should do the trick. Though, I'm not sure how the antennae would affect your radio reception.

 

If you knew how rarely I have it in the radio...hah. But I think Black3sr has the shark fin and I haven't heard him complain. I had emailed my local vinyl place a long time ago and they never got back to me. I might just have to stop by and show them the video. See what they say. I can always ask them to try and get as good around the antenna as possible and then if it's not as perfect as I want, get the fin. In black of course.

 

@ B3.... I feel bad for you, having to drive so far and in Dallas traffic to not have it work out... I'm hoping my drive down to The Woodlands works out OK for me today... Finally after over 5 1/2 years I'm getting some things that are mostly cosmetic items.... Poor Duke is going to have to stay at home since the back of the car will be pretty much filled up... I wish I'd gotten more sleep..... A couple of more cups of high octane Colombian coffee, a hot shower and I'm taking off.

 

It's a common technique to use a hot gun on vinyl like that, the good tint guys do it all the time fitting to curved surfaces. Heating like they did pulls it in to the edge of the ant base then they trim to fit. Shouldn't be a problem. Surprised your guys aren't 'on to it'.

I run the same shark fin wild Bill has, looks good and no reception issues. A black one on your 'new' roof would rock. VG Shark Fin Antenna - Home

 

That install looks easy enough. I have book marked it for future reference.

I'm wondering if I should chance the ~$50 to try the vinyl myself. Idk.

I'm waiting on an email back from a place that their whole business is signs and car wrappings (novoworks)...I'm also going to try again to contact the local car wrapping business and see what they say. I sent novoworks the link to the youtube vid and am going to show the locals that as well if I decide to go that route.

In the mean time, I need to throw this out there---I have the most lovely, wonderful and supportive wifey that you could imagine. I adore her and all of her help with the Fit.

 

Do tell...curious to know what these cosmetic mods are


@ B3, that is an unfortunate outcome. I guess the guy you went to just wasn't very good with vinyl. I haven't seen anybody try it yet, but you could mask the car off (big rolls of brown paper from the hardware store) and spray black Plasti-dip over the roof. Plasti-dip is completely reversible...it just peels right off. This would be a very simple and inexpensive way to have a black roof.

Oh and...for some reason I always thought you were a girl

 

The plastidip may be a good solution if I cant figure this out. Thanks.

Oh and, I am ;-)

 

Eh idk about plasti dip being completely reversible when it comes to car surfaces. I remember reading somewhere that it wasn't that great of an outcome. Idk, I'd only use it as a last resort if you really want it.

 

I'm removing my vinyl roof tomorrow. Hehehe

 

Geez Mandy! Patience gurl.

It does not have to be done yesterday you know.

I was looking at manual. Not that big of a deal to remove antenna base. The right rear pillar cover has to be taken off to disconnect the cable and a clip. Then drop the roof panel just enuf to get at a big nut holding the base on. It then pulls right out.

My Shark is fine. I am going to get my roof done in Spring in black and will leave my shark white.

 

Well heres the thing...I've been tryin to get this done for an effing month now.

The installer thought the antenna removal would be easy too.

I also gave it a hand before I took it over there (as it would have yielded a lower cost) and couldn't even get the tab for the child lock removed. So bah hum bug.

I'm so frustrated with this process and more than anything want a black roof.

If someone could actually post pics of the removal or do it and provide me with an actual step by step, I would be sooo grateful. Because the service manual is written in Greek.

 

I'll go out to my car in the morning, look it over again and post back or PM some guidance. It's dark and cold out there and the fire's warm inside ;-)

The way to really go is to talk to the guys about using a heat gun. It shrinks the vinyl to fit around the ant base. Do these guys do window tinting as well?

 

No...I fucking got it!!!


My hands are bleeding but I got it!!! Whooot!

What now, Bitches!?!?!?!?!?!

 

^^ Removing Fit antennaes like a boss FTW!

 

I'm literally jumping up and down.

I just had a wild hare and went outside...decided, "I'm gonna have a looksie, wrinkled headliner or no wrinkled headliner..." Started pulling shit down and telling myself, "I'll just buy a new part" and then I felt the bolt...ok, I thought...lets follow the antenna line...So then I did, found the plug, pulled that out. Took FOREVER to get it unplugged. The key is...remove the two locking tabs (darker grey) and then push the little side tab that doesn't look connected to anything and pull. I also had a piece that was attached to the frame at the top with electrical tape (wtf)...like a connector. I grabbed both pieces of the wire (one on each side of the tape) and pulled towards the front of the car. Then it came loose.

Stuck my tiny hands in there and undid the 17mm nut with a socket (would be easier with a ratcheting wrench) and voila!!!

 

Ha, where there's a will theirs a way - and a bit of bleeding sometimes.

 

LOL thanks!

Yeah-about half way thru, I thought to myself, "Ok, if I get it off...then what do I do?"

The weather is supposed to be nice this week (until Friday)...I went ahead and taped the hole up with some painters tape to keep out the rif raf and any incidental weather.

I am hoping I can get something done this week and be DONE with it.

 

Thing is, you're not halfway through yet. That suckers got to go back together again.