GTV Spoiler removal

[pdV6]

I need to get my rear spoiler off in order to repaint it.

According to the workshop manual it should just be a case of undoing the 4 mounting bolts and disconnecting the brake light wiring.

However, even with all 4 bolts removed, it's still stuck fast. Does anyone know if they're glued in place as well as being bolted on? I don't really want to get medieval on it for fear of damaging the boot lid...

[badger_royale]

Had exactly the same thing with mine, the screws were getting very rusty so I replaced them. Mine was still stuck very solidly too, even with a hefty wallop it wouldn't budge. It looks like some kind of sealant/mastic in there, any chance of very carefully getting a fine blade in there to cut through it?

I gave up on mine as I didn't actually need it off and was just wondering how it'd look without it..

[waynedear]

pdV6 said:

I need to get my rear spoiler off in order to repaint it.

According to the workshop manual it should just be a case of undoing the 4 mounting bolts and disconnecting the brake light wiring.

However, even with all 4 bolts removed, it's still stuck fast. Does anyone know if they're glued in place as well as being bolted on? I don't really want to get medieval on it for fear of damaging the boot lid...

Mine has that cruddy mastic type crap, i stood at the back of the car and put both hands between the spoiler and boot lid, with a hand at either side and a bit of 'flexing' it broke the seal...

[pdV6]

Thanks for the input guys - I'll have another go and be a bit less of a wuss about it!

[Pat H]

Just be careful.

The boot lid is made of cheese and is very easy to ding, dent, warp etc etc.

In fact, apart from the plastic bonnet, every panel on a GTV seems to be made of cheese.

[waynedear]

Pat H said:

Just be careful.

The boot lid is made of cheese and is very easy to ding, dent, warp etc etc.

In fact, apart from the plastic bonnet, every panel on a GTV seems to be made of cheese.

Very stylish cheese though...

[pdV6]

Pat H said:

The boot lid is ... very easy to ding, dent, warp etc etc.

That was my worry.

Would a bit of heat from, say, a hair dryer loosen the sticky stuff enough for an easier removal without damaging the bootlid paint (as that's currently fine)?

[Pat H]

Are you painting it yourself?

I suspect that a decent paint man will be able to do it in situ.

I would be very careful about using any sort of force on the bootlid of a GTV.

When I had mine, one of my first jobs was to get my magic dent man to remove the dings along the top edge of the bootlid. And they had been caused by the previous owner simply slamming the lid shut.

In fact, one of the reasons that I sold my GTV was because I couldn't leave it anywhere without it picking up a parking ding. I have never known a car with such vulnerable flanks.

My current 156 doesn't seem half as susceptible.

But I really miss my GTV.

[pdV6]

Pat H said:

Are you painting it yourself?

Nah. My dad's offered (he's a bit handy with a drop of paint).

Need to get the spoiler off though or else be without the car for a while, which is a non-starter for me.