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There was some discussion in wachuko's new car introduction thread about the install of some XKR wheel slats on the front wheel wells of our F-types -->
I think whoever discovered that this XKR part works is a bit of a "genius" ;-). The part number for the slats and clips are in wachuko's thread. Definitely a nice little way to add some protection for the hips of these cars. In my case I have full body PPF protecting the car, but if it's all the same I'd still like that PPF skin to also stay looking as good as it can over time. OF NOTE, if one does have some PPF on their car, well, I feel that it adds some extra "challenge" in getting the slats installed nicely (discussed more below).
In any case, I figured that I would put a little guide together to capture a few challenges that I had along the way while doing this work. All the info out there on installing these things pretty much makes it sound like a breeze. I did not have the same easy experience, so perhaps the info here could help some other "slat challenged" person that might want to install them ;-) Particularly if you are trying to install on a PPFed car like mine.
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GUIDE:
(1) In MY experience I found that there was some advantage in slightly cutting/modifying the locations on the slat where the clips are going:
My first install attempt proved to be frustrating for some of the clips. It seemed that, for whatever the reason, the clips were not always able to seat well in all cases. I realized that there was some advantage in cutting into the slats a bit carefully with a knife to allow the clips to go a bit deeper, and then this seemed to correct the problem I was having. I found that as long as the bottom of the clip was able to reach the bottom of the little rectangular notches on the slats then this improved the seating (at least in my case).
For example, the first pic immediately below shows the top-most clip notch on the slat. I found that without cutting at all the clip could reach the bottom of the notch (second pic immediately below), and it was fine. In the case of the second slat clip notch down from the top of the slat, however, I had to trim into the notch with a knife (3rd pic immediately below) to enable the clip to reach the bottom of the notch (4th pic immediately below). I found that I had to trim all the notches on the slats except for the ones at the very top of them.
NOTE: You don't necessarily need to do this trimming like I have done, as I haven't heard of anyone else needing to? But keep this method in mind if you end up running into trouble in your case too. This should help you out, make you not want to murder someone, etc... ;-)
(2) Carefully and cleanly cut the 2 tabs off of each slat (i.e.: That are located adjacent to the tape that came on the slat towards the bottom):
Those tabs are for the XKR and are just in the way in the case of the F-Type. The pic immediately below shows one of my slats with those 2 tabs clipped off...
(3) Clean the attaching surface of the slat and the surface of the PPF in the wheel well with Mother's CMX Surface Prep (or equivalent, example Gyeon Prep):
I found that, because of the slickness of the PPF surface, just using the tape that came on the slats at the bottom was NOT sufficient. I found that running 3M automotive attachment tape the full length of the slat helped to affix the slat better on the slipperiness of the PPF, and it helped the clips be more effective. With this said, to make sure the tape would have the best reasonable chance possible of sticking to both surfaces I first used a purpose cleaner designed to ensure that all oils and waxes are removed from the surfaces (Mother's CMX Surface Prep, readily available on Amazon).
In the case of the slat I would try and not get the cleaning product anywhere on the slat but on the attaching surface of it if possible (just in case). The cleaner does have some alcohol in it I believe, so just try and be careful.
There are other things that I could have considered doing to make the bond for the tape even stronger (3M tape adhesive promoter, and things like that), but I didn't want to be too invasive/aggressive in case it could damage my PPF, in case I ever wanted to remove the slats for any reason, etc...
People who do not have PPF seem to be just using the slats as they come and adding the clips, but again, in my case this did NOT seem sufficient.
(4) Added additional 3M Auto Exterior Attachment Tape to the slats:
Again, not everyone is doing this, but I felt I needed to (mainly because of my PPF situation, and the slickness of it). This tape is readily available on Amazon.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I ended up putting completely fresh tape the entire length of the slat. If at all possible I would NOT remove the original 3M tape that was on the slat at the bottom, and then only run your other tape in the other areas. My first attempt at installing didn't go well, and I ended up compromising the original tape at the bottom of the slat a bit. So, in the moment I had the not so great idea of trying to remove the original tape. Yeah, again, don't if possible. That was brutal trying to get that off. An absolute mess to be frank. Even if you mess up a bit your first install, and damage the tape a bit, it will still be sticky enough combined with the clips. Seriously, save yourself A LOT of trouble by NOT removing that original tape. Did I mention that it is a REALLY BAD IDEA to remove the original 3M tape that came on the slat? ;-) Lol, seriously, I'm still traumatized.
If you end up adding this extra tape like I have, run it the length of the slat, EXCEPT for on the 1/2 to 3/4 inches of area at the very top of the slat. I also inset the tape from the outside ridge of slat ever so slightly, approx 1/8 inch in or so (i.e.: Just as was the case with the tape that came on the slat at the bottom).
(5) Install slat:
As some tips, the way I did it was -->
- I removed the backing for the tape the entire length of the slat all at one time (first thing).
- Then I carefully started at the top of the slat, affixing the starting point where I wanted it, and then worked my way down to the 4th clip location (pushing the tape on as I went). I stopped affixing the tape once I got to the area around the 4th clip location, leaving the tape around the bottom 2 clip locations just hanging there (not pushing it on yet).
- I then went back over the area for the tape I affixed so far and pressed all over really well for 30 to 60 seconds, before then installing the first 4 clips from the top downward.
- Once those top 4 clips were installed I then proceeded to seat the remaining unseated tape at the bottom of the slat, pressing for 30 to 60 seconds there as well, and then installing the 2 remaining clips.
You're done! It probably wouldn't hurt to press over the tape a few times at the end just to make sure. I did anyway. Rinse and repeat for the other side of the car and you're good.
OF NOTE: With the way I wanted the top of the slat aligned, it end up leaving about a 1/2 inch or so of slat going below the bottom of the car. Oddly enough, it really doesn't look all that bad or out of place like that. I'm still deciding whether or not I will take a sharp knife and trim that off. I will decided later. Just wanted to mention this.
That's about it...I still think I prefer the look of not having the slats at the front of the car, but really, they looked fairly good installed. Definitely does not look bad, and the added protection they will provide is definitely welcomed.
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Here's a pick of the stock slat at the rear of the car (If feel the installed front one matches quite well) -->
And here's a pic of the front wheel well before the work -->
In any case, hopefully this info can be useful for someone at some point...
Nice review and I trimmed off the excess on the bottom to make it flush because my OCD issues forced me to. I also found that placing the clips over the normal thickness of the splat and not the indentations made the fitting much more snug with no visual gaps on the outer exterior. Placing the top clip higher up (closer to the bonnet gap) was very helpful because it was too loose to the touch for my liking when using the first indentation. Nice garage and lift!
Nice review and I trimmed off the excess on the bottom to make it flush because my OCD issues forced me to. I also found that placing the clips over the normal thickness of the splat and not the indentations made the fitting much more snug with no visual gaps on the outer exterior. Placing the top clip higher up (closer to the bonnet gap) was very helpful because it was too loose to the touch for my liking when using the first indentation. Nice garage and lift!
Okay, interesting…I thought perhaps it was just me experiencing a looser fit than I wanted for some of the clips. I’m sure the PPF makes the issue worse again because of the involved slipperiness, but clearly there could be some benefit for others using additional tape then too…Even if one didn’t put tape the full length of the slat, some well placed additional tape could help…In the case of PPF though I personally would still recommend putting tape the full length of the slat (my thoughts only).
Even with the tape I put that upper clip as far towards the top of the slat clip notch edge as I could. It seemed to make sense to me, and I did have the sense that doing so gave more stability, as you are suggesting.
As for trimming the extra bit on the bottom…LOL, I probably will end up doing that, but I haven’t yet. Again, even if it is left I don’t find it looks that bad.
I'm usually one for following instructions to the letter and I initially put all of the clips where the indentations are but was not happy with the visual gaps and loose to the touch feel I was getting. So I removed all of the clips and reinstalled the splat with them placed just above where they were meant to go and the fit and snugness was perfect. Considered using tape but after the second attempt worked so well I decided to keep them as is but it is odd that Jaguar didn't have the entire length taped. I trimmed the excess at the bottom after they were installed and it took no time at all using a box cutter.
I'm usually one for following instructions to the letter and I initially put all of the clips where the indentations are but was not happy with the visual gaps and loose to the touch feel I was getting. So I removed all of the clips and reinstalled the splat with them placed just above where they were meant to go and the fit and snugness was perfect. Considered using tape but after the second attempt worked so well I decided to keep them as is but it is odd that Jaguar didn't have the entire length taped. I trimmed the excess at the bottom after they were installed and it took no time at all using a box cutter.
No doubt for the XKR that this was designed for, the clips were inherently more snug without considering doing different things like we have done to make it work.
Anyway, thanks for chiming in with the feedback.That was helpful. I was a bit confused when struggling to get it installed, because I was convinced everything should be super easy. I never saw reports from anyone else that the install could be a bit finicky. It’s helpful to know I was not going crazy, and that others had some similar challenges ;-)
I can’t stress enough though that PPF adds additional challenges that otherwise would not be there. My PPF is the brand STEK, which has a ceramic layer built into it, and I put a layer of ceramic on top of that again. Yeah, very slick and hydrophobic, so this is why I took the extra step of making sure the surfaces were as clean as possible (i.e.: To have the tape stick the best it could). The PPF is so slick it will even repel the 3M tape, but with the combo of the tape stabilizing along with the clips it should be fine. The install is very sturdy.
My car has been ceramic coated which makes it a little more slick but nothing compared to what you had to navigate through with the additional PPF. I'm still embarrassed with how long it took me to install my puddle lamps where everyone else breezed through the task!
My car has been ceramic coated which makes it a little more slick but nothing compared to what you had to navigate through with the additional PPF. I'm still embarrassed with how long it took me to install my puddle lamps where everyone else breezed through the task!
Lol, hey man, whatever gets the job done is good in my books ;-0
Alright, well, I did the driver side this morning. I must say, at first I felt like I would miss the stock look without them on the front, but oddly my eye has really come to like them. They just look so cohesive with the stock rear ones, so they basically almost look like they were on there from factory.
Anyway, definitely recommend this "upgrade". Not a bad look overall, and they should definitely protect your pride and joy from a few more rocks. There's no doubt.
The only thing I have left to do is take that 1/2 of slat below the car off, but I will wait until I have better access with the wheels off, when it's up on my lift, etc...Don't want to mess that up ;-)
FINAL THING I WOULD SAY: My opinion only, but I actually feel that extra step I took cutting into the clip locations to seat the clips better (see above) also had the added effect of almost making the clips look more purposefully installed. It almost gives the illusion that the part came like that purposefully or something. When I cut them into the material I carefully made sure the cuts were done in the middle of the clips notches on the slat. That make the final product almost look like those are the manufactured specific location for the clips on the part if you will etc...If that makes any sense.
I do not think that I will be removing the small section at the bottom.
I need to go to the local dealer to pick the remaining two clips and finish mine...
Thanks man.
Yeah, overall I’m sort of indifferent about the half inch of slat below the car too, but I’ll probably end up zipping it off anyway. I don’t think that it looks bad at all to be completely honest. You clearly agree if you’ve decided to leave it. It’s preference.
I wouldn’t be surprised if I just forgot about it and never bothered…Lol, that’s how much it doesn’t bother me. I know Portlander does not agree ;-0 For him it’s removal was a must ;-o
It only took two minutes on each side with a box cutter and now I sleep much better! I ended up using 7 clips per splat and they are flush with the wheel well, no gaps and very secure. Would have used tape for the entire length like DMeister if I had to do it all over again.
Last edited by Portlander; Apr 5, 2026 at 02:20 PM.
It only took two minutes on each side with a box cutter and now I sleep much better! I ended up using 7 clips per splat and they are flush with the wheel well, no gaps and very secure. Would have used tape for the entire length like DMeister if I had to do it all over again.
;-0
Fair enough. Let’s be honest, we know us car enthusiasts all choose our battles and have our **** sensitivities that we MUST persue…lol
Guide: Front wheel slat install on PPF
I ended up using 7 clips per splat and they are flush with the wheel well, no gaps and very secure. Would have used tape for the entire length like DMeister if I had to do it all over again.
