CMST NIO ET5T Type A Body Kit: Installation Guide
The CMST NIO ET5T carbon fibre body kit (Type A) covers five components — front lip, four canards, side skirts, rear lip, and rear spoiler — all fitted using adhesive tape and mechanical fasteners without drilling the factory panels. This guide explains the correct installation sequence and technique for each piece on the ET5T wagon, covering preparation, adhesive application, alignment, and final securing. Estimated total install time for all five components is four to six hours with two people.
- Vehicle: NIO ET5T (wagon)
- Kit variant: Type A (carbon fibre or carbon-look ABS)
- Components: Front lip, 4× canards, side skirts (pair), rear lip, rear spoiler
- Fastening method: 3M VHB adhesive tape + glass silicone adhesive + self-tapping screws
- Tools required: Panel preparation cleaner (IPA), 3M adhesive promoter, glass silicone, self-tapping screw driver, trim clips, sandpaper (320-grit)
- Minimum crew: Two people recommended for side skirts and rear lip
Before You Start: Panel Preparation
Clean all contact surfaces with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) and a lint-free cloth — do not use household glass cleaner, which leaves silicone residue. Allow the surface to dry for at least 10 minutes; on cold days below 15°C, warm the panel briefly with a heat gun to restore adhesive tack. Lightly scuff the inner contact edge of each CMST component with 320-grit sandpaper, then wipe with IPA and dry. This ensures the VHB tape bonds to the component edge rather than to any release agent residue from the manufacturing process.
Front Lip Installation
The front lip has a pre-applied 3M VHB strip along its upper inner edge. Apply glass silicone between the VHB sections (every 80 mm) to fill any gap between the lip face and the factory bumper surface. Position with two or three people — one at each end and one at the centre — and confirm the lip sits flush across the full width before peeling the VHB backing, as the tape cannot be repositioned cleanly once it contacts the panel. Press firmly, then drive two self-tapping screws at the outer ends into the factory bumper lower plastic. Snug only — do not over-torque into plastic. Cure 12 hours before washing or highway driving.
Canard Installation (×4)
The four canards — two per side, front and rear at slightly different height — mount to the outer bumper sections via factory-applied VHB tape plus glass silicone between strips. Alignment is the critical step: use a tape measure referenced from each wheel arch lip before committing, and mark positions with a removable paint pen. Once aligned, peel the VHB, press firmly across the full contact face — not just the outer tip, which can crack under concentrated point pressure — and check symmetry with the opposite side before the silicone sets.
Side Skirt Installation
Side skirts span the full door sill length and require two people. Apply glass silicone between the VHB tape sections on the skirt's upper inner face. With one person at each end, position the skirt against the factory sill and check alignment: the skirt ends should leave a 2–3 mm gap to the bumper end caps. Once both ends and centre height are confirmed, press from one end toward the centre, then from the other end. At the skirt base, drive two self-tapping screws into the factory plastic sill seam — one toward the front, one toward the rear — taking care the screw points do not exit through the visible painted surface.
Rear Lip Installation
The rear lip on the ET5T installs on the lower rear bumper. Unlike the front lip, the rear lip must be fitted with the bumper assembly in its mounted position — do not attempt to pre-fit and then reinstall the bumper. The rear bumper's lower plastic skirt has two reflector lenses (left and right) that must be removed and reinstalled in the corresponding pockets on the CMST rear lip before fitting.
Remove both reflectors from the factory lower bumper trim by pressing the clip tabs inward and pulling forward. Transfer them into the CMST rear lip's pre-formed pockets and click them into position — confirm both are secure before fitting the lip. Apply 3M VHB and glass silicone to the inner upper face of the lip, position against the lower bumper edge, and press from centre outward. The outer ends of the rear lip receive two self-tapping screws per side through the factory bumper's lower mounting flange. A third person to operate the boot lid open (to confirm the lip does not interfere with the bumper when the tailgate is operated) is helpful during final positioning.
Rear Spoiler Installation
The CMST ET5T rear spoiler is a two-piece unit — a left section and a right section — that together form a split blade across the roof spoiler position at the rear of the tailgate glass. Each section has a contact face pre-applied with 3M VHB tape and accepts a glass silicone bead between tape strips.
Before fitting, sand the contact face of each spoiler section lightly with 320-grit, wipe with IPA, and dry. Apply glass silicone to the face, peel the VHB backing, and press the first section into position at the correct location on the roof panel edge. Hold firmly for 30 seconds, then fit the second section. Check that the two halves are at the same height and the gap between them (if applicable in your version) is centred.
After pressing, apply additional silicone around the outer perimeter of each section's contact edge to seal any micro-gaps. This prevents water ingress between the spoiler face and the painted panel, which over time causes paint staining under the adhesive. Allow 24 hours cure before wash or high-speed driving.
Post-Installation Checks
After all five components are installed and adhesive has cured for 12–24 hours:
- Check front lip and canards for symmetry at equal distance from wheel centreline
- Confirm side skirts are flush to the door panels with no visible bow in the centre
- Open and close all doors to confirm no contact between door lower trim and skirt upper edge
- Operate the tailgate through a full open/close cycle to confirm rear lip and spoiler do not interfere
- Check all self-tapping screws are snug — not over-torqued
Browse the full range of CMST body kits for the NIO ET5T and other electric vehicle platforms at AME Motorsport. For carbon fibre versions of the ET5T components, see the CMST carbon fibre body kit collection. If you are comparing the Type A kit with the ABS Xinlan edition kit, see both in the all body kits catalogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to drill any holes in the ET5T to fit the CMST Type A kit?
No drilling into factory sheet metal is required. The self-tapping screws used at the ends of the front lip, side skirts, and rear lip go into existing plastic mounting flanges on the factory bumpers and sills. No holes are made in painted or structural body panels.
What adhesive products does CMST recommend for this kit?
The kit uses 3M VHB (Very High Bond) double-sided tape as the primary adhesive, supplemented by glass silicone adhesive applied between the tape sections for gap-filling support. The 3M tape is pre-applied to the contact faces of each component at the factory. Do not substitute with standard double-sided tape — VHB tape uses acrylic adhesive with substantially higher shear and peel strength than foam-core alternatives.
Can the CMST ET5T kit be removed without damaging the paint?
VHB tape bonded panels can be removed by sliding fishing line or a removal wire behind the component to cut the tape. Glass silicone can be peeled off after cutting. Residual adhesive is removed with isopropyl alcohol or a dedicated adhesive remover. Some minor clear-coat stress is possible on older or sun-damaged paint. On new vehicles with full factory clear coat, removal without paint damage is achievable with care and the correct tools.
How long does the full install take?
With two people and correct preparation, the full five-component kit takes approximately four to six hours excluding adhesive cure time. The canards take the most care due to alignment requirements. Allow a full 24-hour cure period before washing or highway driving.
Does the CMST ET5T rear lip affect the tailgate opening?
The rear lip fits the lower rear bumper, which is a static panel on the ET5T wagon. The tailgate is the upper glass/metal panel that opens separately. There is no fitment conflict between the CMST rear lip and tailgate operation on the ET5T wagon body style.
What is the difference between the Type A kit and the ABS Xinlan edition?
The Type A kit is designed for the standard NIO ET5T front bumper, with canards included in the package. The ABS Xinlan edition kit is designed for the Xinlan (星澜) edition of the ET5T, which uses a different front bumper lower profile, and uses a different fitment method for the front lip and side skirts. Confirm your ET5T variant before ordering.