I am thinking of buying a fiberglass spoiler (prob. from Luke) and fitting it myself. I have seen the step by step instructions for removing the old one.

I have some questions on installing the new one (does any know of a site that has a step by step installation ?)

 

1. Can the old holes be filled with fiberglass resin instead of welding them up with steel?

 

2. What kind of finish is on the new fiberglass spoiler ? What kind of primers, sealers, etc. does it need before its final colour spray ?

 

3. The new spoiler is bonded on to the boot lid with Sika adhesive/sealer, but after that does it normally get filled and blended with resin around its perimeter ? Does it need to be filled in, any water can not go anywhere due to the Sika sealant.

 

My car is dark grey, what colour primer is needed for the spoiler? What preparation is needed to the tailgate before spraying? Does the tailgate paint have some type of laquer (or glaze type finish) that has to be removed ?

 

What type of paint do I get ? Are there different types, based on different types of solvent, etc.?

I am confident that if I do the right preparation with the right materials I can spray it ok, I once sprayed a Lotus Elan 2+2 that I had in the USA with a cheap electric paint spray gun that was so under powered that I had to thin the paint so much that runs were inevitable. Whenever I got a paint run, I had to wait for the paint to cure, then rub it down. It took me about 3 weeks, but in the end I got a really nice finish. (it all started when I spilled some brake fluid on the back wing, only intended to spray the wing, but ended up doing the whole car!

 

Thanks,

 

John Dixon

John

 

...you ask too many questions... The holes can be filled - use glass resin, you'll need to spread it out a little inside the tailgate skin - then fill in the usual manner. Paintings easy, match the paint to the colour code on the body identifiication plate under the bonnet, and finish off with a top coat of laquer.

 

It won't match as you paint has changed colour with age, but it'll be close.

 

Hardest part is getting rid of the orange peel effect...

 

good luck

 

Jack

John

 

...you ask too many questions... The holes can be filled - use glass resin, you'll need to spread it out a little inside the tailgate skin - then fill in the usual manner. Paintings easy, match the paint to the colour code on the body identifiication plate under the bonnet, and finish off with a top coat of laquer.

 

It won't match as you paint has changed colour with age, but it'll be close.

 

Hardest part is getting rid of the orange peel effect...

 

good luck

 

Jack

 

Thanks Jack,

 

Why would there be an orange peel effect ?

 

John

I did tailgate recently - removed old spoiler, bought infill panel from Luke and filled and painted the tailgate. Bought aerosol paint from car trade paint supplier as well as laquer in an aerosol.

 

Painted it (first time I've really done this - apart from the odd touch-up) and the result had a pronounced orange peel effect. I don't know if it's my lack of experience or it's what you get with aerosols. Anyway, I bought some paint finishing paste from Halfords that removed most of the orange peel...

 

Boot lid looks great, different colour, but great...

 

good luck

 

Jack

Hi John,

Depends on which one you get, if it's like the original ie a replica, you don't need to fibreglass up the holes, you're better off filling/surrounding them with the sealant during the fitting process, don't "blend in the edges either, it'll look shite!! I got away with having mine painted first then fitting, but you have to be carefull to pack the sides with suitable material to protect the paint when the spoiler is clamped on whilst setting.

 

My replica was overall pretty good fibreglass, but lacked attention to detail (ie mold marks not sanded out very well) and needed a lot of pre painting sanding, and stopping/prepping up to get it ready for top coat.

 

You'll not get a good finish with aerosols, paint output rate is far too low for something this big, if you're going to paint it yourself, buy a cheap spray gun and compressor (it'll come in handy for all sorts of other stuff later too!!!)

 

Paul N

John got mine from luke :bow: and had fitting instructions with it!!

the primer finish on it was very good but had to smooth off bitz of fibreglass on it but just primed & painted and had no probs

cheers

Dave :dance:

John,

Also (now I've read all of your post!!) after cleaning, the tailgate, assuming no damage or rust to deal with is ready for bonding the spoiler on, use a good panel wipe to remove all traces of dirt.

 

Painting yourself, has to be cellulose, unless you want to spend a fortune on safety equipment or get cancer if you're using 2 pack!!

 

So.... you need (all cellulose) to apply in this order having thourily cleaned and lightly sanded your spoiler...

 

Etch primer, 1 thin coat

Primer filler, couple of coats.

Cellulose putty (stopper) applied as needed to perfect any pinholes

Sand down well with p600 grade wet and dry paper.

More primer filler/stopper as needed

More sanding down until perfectly smooth

If primer has cut through anywhere, another coat.

Final sand with p800 to p1200.

Basecoat (your colour) x 3 coats

Lacquer x 2/3 coats.

 

If it's perfect, leave it for at least 10 days (yes 10 days!)

 

Polish as needed probably using something like farecla G3 or equivalent

Finish with G10 or equivalent (and no not T cut or other retail crap!)

 

Voila!!

 

Now fit very carefully avoiding damage when clamping!!

 

I would estimate the cost of paint/materials at about £50.

 

You'll also need a compressor (bigger the better) and air linespray gun, so that combination will be at least £150 minimum (but you'll use it loads in the future!!).

 

Don't forget to compare with the cost for local bodyshop painting at approx. £120 for a standard replica spoiler, if you don't intend to keep using your compressor/paint gun!!

 

Doing it well yourself gives great satisfaction though, just finished repainting my wheels for mine this morning!!

 

Paul N

Thanks everyone for great advice and step by step instructions. I guess the easiest would be to get the replacement style one if fiberglass, That way I could prep and paint it off the car, and carefully bond it to the tailgate. I do like the high wing spoiler, but that would involve more work and cost.

If you use the tailgate skin (when using a high wing type spoiler) on Luke's website in the photo it looks like it has been blended in around its perimeter, however, to do that would require the whole tailgate to be blended in, which I want to avoid.

 

Thanks again,

 

John