Im looking to fit a zcentre tailgate skin this month, and I want to have a go at removing old spoiler then doing the fitting and prepping myself, then take it bodyshop just to be sprayed.

 

I have never done any form of Bodywork sanding, filling, preperation before, so Im looking for advice from those that have done this themselves ?

 

...or is this likely to be beyond somebody with no previous experience ?

 

Any advice, tips, suggestions....etc Anybody take pictures of the process ?

 

Thanks

Speak to PaulG he done his;)

legrath, could ya keep me posted on your progress if poss? looking to do this myself sometime in the summer.

Blimey, thats quite a job to take on for your first go! Don't want to p1ss on your flames but I wouldn't like to try it myself. Thats quite alot of glassing work there, alot of blending to do. But if you fancy it then give it a go and good luck!

I've had a do with no previous experience, will post some picks up later (and at the same time look like an idiot :p )

I did it myself

 

 

my advice - dont do it!

 

check out my journal

legrath, could ya keep me posted on your progress if poss? looking to do this myself sometime in the summer.

 

* edit *

 

will NOT be doing this in the summer :nono:

You will need to weld up the holes left by the old spoiler if you want to be sure that the job will last as the filler can pop out from the boot being shut, I just did mine and it was a nightmare just getting the old spoiler off, maybe I was just unlucky though. Here is a couple of pics.

I took my old spoiler off as I managed to stumble across a smashed zed in a scrappie locally that had a Wings West high level spoiler on it which I bought thinking it wouldnt be too much of a job to fit. After 1 year (of which I havent had a lot of time to commit to fitting the spoiler) the high level spoiler is fitted, I took my origional spoiler to a local fibre glass company who copied the origional spoiler so I could butcher it as I wanted to merge it to the high level one.

Now I am trying to get sections of fibreglass (from a smashed truck front grille) to cut and fit in the gap in the tailgate so I can stick the copied spoiler onto as I have cut the edges off it and its almost a perfect fit, apart from one edge at the top that springs up whenever its sat against where its ment to sit.....tigerbond and plenty of it me thinks.

 

As for having a go and not putting the car in a bodyshop...I am a HGV mechanic to trade but I havent had much body experience but have a go as i think u would surprise yourself and as the old saying goes,,every day is a school day.

Anyone wants pictures of my progress I have them on disc if they are help to anyone give me a shout.

 

Cheers John Crisp

Im looking to fit a zcentre tailgate skin this month, and I want to have a go at removing old spoiler then doing the fitting and prepping myself, then take it bodyshop just to be sprayed.

 

I have never done any form of Bodywork sanding, filling, preperation before, so Im looking for advice from those that have done this themselves ?

 

...or is this likely to be beyond somebody with no previous experience ?

 

Any advice, tips, suggestions....etc Anybody take pictures of the process ?

 

Thanks

Ive just done mine!! :cool:

I sorted Manta v8.s out for him , i know he took some pics ,i,ll give him a nudge see if he,ll put em up for you. There not difficult to fit ,he trimmed as much excess glass off to give more room to blend with filler towards the rear glass keyed the tailgate and bonded it on using psykoflex (been using the stuff for years and still can,t spell it !! ) you could use gaffer tape to try and hold it as tight to the tailgate as poss or even a few screws (you,ll be filling over the hols left anyway) When dry sand the edge of the skin to taper it down a bit and key it ready for filling , tnen start blending it in , i usually sand the first few skims of filler with a D.A sander cos yuo,ll need to build it up before you can start shaping .Only tip to filling i can give is dont be scared to use coarse grades of sand paper ,using a sanding block i,d use 60 grit to first shape the filler then 80grit to finish the shaping 120grit to smooth the filler and 180grit to finish for priming . Happy sanding :D

Allan

Can't find the pics!-Bugger :slap: :confused:

Cheers guys, some excellent information. :)

Just do it. whats the worst that can happen? F\/ck it up.. :D

RIght some stages missing as I had no charge in camera

 

pic 1. Ripping the bastid off (phew)

pic 2. Its finally off

pic 3. Bodyfiller ect

 

Stage 4 put on tailgate skin (I have a UK TT and had to make 3 extra square holes) That was pretty easy although did it myself, 'these are fragile'

 

Stage 5 fill in the gap

 

Pic 4. its on and primed although still lots of work to do at this stage, I need to build up with primer filler where the stock spoiler was.

Pic 5. I really wish I had'nt to sort out places like this

 

Good luck m8, and have a go! I did, not bad for a novice if I may say so myself although my excuse is that I havent finished yet!