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Body General body information and techniques for restoration, repairs, and modifications. Community Links Pictures & Albums Members List Search Forums Show Threads Show Posts Tag Search Advanced Search Find All Liked Posts Go to Page... Fiberglass spoiler repair Reply Subscribe Thread Tools Search this Thread Jun 3, 2014 | 12:54 PM Share Share Options #1 Goumba T Thread Starter Senior Member Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 604 Likes: 0 From: Howard Beach, NYC Car: 1990 TAEngine: LB9 305Transmission: 4L60 Fiberglass spoiler repair Back again While washing the car the other day, I noticed my fiberglass wraparound spoiler (from Hawk's) had developed a crack about half an inch from the top surface, as you can (barely, hard to get a good shot, and ignore all the pollen) see below. Is there any hope of repair? Due to the expense in buying, shipping and painting, I'm hoping so, but am no expert in fiberglass. This spoiler is five years old, the car isn't driven all that much, and I'm surprised this even happened. It appears as there was a seem here (no visible in the photo, but inspecting the piece itself). Thanks. Attached Thumbnails Reply 0 0 Goumba T View Public Profile Visit Goumba T's homepage! Find More Posts by Goumba T View iTrader Profile Jun 3, 2014 | 01:25 PM Share Share Options #2 mantaguy Supreme Member iTrader: (5) Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 5,890 Likes: 80 From: Mantua NJ Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 packageEngine: 5.0 EFITransmission: THM700R4Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair That SUCKS,If I were you I would get that fixed as soon as possible(it's gonna get worse)I don't think there's any kinda warranty from Hawks,but I certainly would let them know!Maybe,just maybe,they are aware of others having the same issue. Reply 0 0 mantaguy View Public Profile Find More Posts by mantaguy View iTrader Profile Jun 3, 2014 | 03:02 PM Share Share Options #3 Yenipenny Member Joined: Dec 2009 Posts: 184 Likes: 0 Car: 92 RS HeritageEngine: 305 Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair It can definately be repaired and refinished as with any other fiberglass item. Hawk's certainly has no responsibility. Stuff happens with fiberglass especially after five years. Reply 0 0 Yenipenny View Public Profile Find More Posts by Yenipenny View iTrader Profile Jun 3, 2014 | 04:05 PM Share Share Options #4 QUICKCHICKEN Supreme Member iTrader: (12) Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,420 Likes: 5 From: Byhalia MS, just south of memphis Car: 89 FirebirdEngine: 6.0 LSTransmission: T-56Axle/Gears: 3.70 A boat shop or any good body shop can fix that no sweat. Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup Reply 0 0 QUICKCHICKEN View Public Profile Find More Posts by QUICKCHICKEN View iTrader Profile Jun 3, 2014 | 08:28 PM Share Share Options #5 Goumba T Thread Starter Senior Member Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 604 Likes: 0 From: Howard Beach, NYC Car: 1990 TAEngine: LB9 305Transmission: 4L60 Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Quote: Originally Posted by Yenipenny It can definately be repaired and refinished as with any other fiberglass item. Hawk's certainly has no responsibility. Stuff happens with fiberglass especially after five years. Nah I didn't expect them to have any responsibility. I just mentioned it was theirs so that people would know exactly which spoiler I had. I knew body panels get repaired regularly, but due to the shape of this part, I wasn't so sure. Thanks guys for your input. Reply 0 0 Goumba T View Public Profile Visit Goumba T's homepage! Find More Posts by Goumba T View iTrader Profile Jun 3, 2014 | 08:42 PM Share Share Options #6 NowhereFast Senior Member Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 653 Likes: 4 From: Long Island, NY Car: 87 Trans Am, 99 WS6, 16 Mustang GTEngine: LB9, LS1Transmission: 700R4, T56Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi, 4.10 Posi Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Quote: Originally Posted by Yenipenny It can definately be repaired and refinished as with any other fiberglass item. Hawk's certainly has no responsibility. Stuff happens with fiberglass especially after five years. Are you freakin serious? The sole purpose of buying a fiberglass wing is to avoid cracking. The factory rubber ones probably held up longer than fiver years without cracking. This is an issue, and it needs to be looked into by manufacturers. Reply 0 0 NowhereFast View Public Profile Find More Posts by NowhereFast View iTrader Profile Jun 4, 2014 | 03:40 AM Share Share Options #7 Goumba T Thread Starter Senior Member Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 604 Likes: 0 From: Howard Beach, NYC Car: 1990 TAEngine: LB9 305Transmission: 4L60 Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Quote: Originally Posted by _Nick_ Are you freakin serious? The sole purpose of buying a fiberglass wing is to avoid cracking. The factory rubber ones probably held up longer than fiver years without cracking. This is an issue, and it needs to be looked into by manufacturers. That was my initial reaction as well. I had bought the spoiler to replace the factory wing which had started to crack, meaning it lasted about 3 times as long as the replacement. I will be contacting them at the least to see if there's a recommended procedure for repair, but I am disappointed. I have yet to find any other complaints, maybe I got a bum one. The car isn't abused, always covered, I push down on the deck and not the spoiler itself. It's a shame for sure, but I do understand things happen. Reply 0 0

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Goumba T View Public Profile Visit Goumba T's homepage! Find More Posts by Goumba T View iTrader Profile Jun 4, 2014 | 07:57 AM Share Share Options #8 stealtht/a Supreme Member iTrader: (1) Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,485 Likes: 5 From: Short Summer, VT Car: 1985 Trans Am T-TopEngine: 305 TPITransmission: T-5 5 SpeedAxle/Gears: 3.42 posi 1LE 10 bolt Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair The cracking is probably from heat stress. From what I've seen of these wings they are hollow PE fiberglass. Very unstable composite. Typical lowest level fiberglass construction. Easy to fix, but will prob happen again. This sort of wing really should be made with epoxy resin. Reply 0 0 stealtht/a View Public Profile Find More Posts by stealtht/a View iTrader Profile Jun 4, 2014 | 11:38 AM Share Share Options #9 DynoDave43 Supreme Member iTrader: (11) Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 4,748 Likes: 864 From: MICHIGAN Car: 1988 Trans AmEngine: L03Transmission: 700R4Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Quote: Originally Posted by Goumba T ...I push down on the deck and not the spoiler itself... That was going to be my question yesterday, but I didn't want it to sound like I was accusing you of mistreating it. Sorry to see this, as I'm in the same boat...original deteriorating, and this is the only aftermarket game in town. I guess if I buy one, I'll have to reinforce it from the get-go. Photo saved for reference. Reply 0 0 DynoDave43 View Public Profile Find More Posts by DynoDave43 View iTrader Profile Jun 6, 2014 | 01:06 AM Share Share Options #10 84 1LE Supreme Member iTrader: (9) Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 6,585 Likes: 393 From: Oyth Car: 89RS vertEngine: ErodTransmission: 4L65eAxle/Gears: BW, 3.27 Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Fiberglass cracks guys, no avoiding that.Go ask a vette owner.Dont matter who makes it.If you buy a fiberglass part thinking "to avoid cracking" you're in for disapointment. Great thing about though, its very repairable.Drill some small holes at the ends to keep the crack from growing.Simply glassing that over will not keeps cracks from re-appearing.I'd also grind off some material along the crack & refill it.Cut up some fiberglass cloth & mix it into the resin.If you can anchor some studs in spoiler, that'll add some strength to the repair. Reply 0 0 84 1LE View Public Profile Find More Posts by 84 1LE View iTrader Profile Jun 6, 2014 | 11:04 AM Share Share Options #11 Nighthawkf-117 Member iTrader: (1) Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 129 Likes: 0 From: Minnesota Car: 91' Camaro RSEngine: 305 TBI V8Transmission: 700/R4Axle/Gears: Stock Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Quote: Originally Posted by stealtht/a The cracking is probably from heat stress. From what I've seen of these wings they are hollow PE fiberglass. Very unstable composite. Typical lowest level fiberglass construction. Easy to fix, but will prob happen again. This sort of wing really should be made with epoxy resin. Right on. Polyester resins shrink over time. While epoxy resins are very stable. No quality fiberglass part should ever crack like that. This is due to the manufacturer trying to save some cash during production. The best way to repair it is with fiberglass cloth and resin over the crack from the inside of the part. Reply 0 0 Nighthawkf-117 View Public Profile Find More Posts by Nighthawkf-117 View iTrader Profile Jun 6, 2014 | 02:28 PM Share Share Options #12 Pontiac_Pete Member Joined: Oct 2011 Posts: 134 Likes: 0 From: South Bend,IN Car: '97 TA WS6 vert & '88 Formula 350Engine: LT1 & 383 HSRTransmission: T-56 & T-56Axle/Gears: 3.42 & 3.27 Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair I used to work at a 'Vette restoration shop, cracks galore! Fortunately FG is easy to repair, well if you know how to do it right. I won't go into detail unless you want me to. I wouldn't worry too much, it just bites to have to get it refinished. Reply 0 0 Pontiac_Pete View Public Profile Find More Posts by Pontiac_Pete View iTrader Profile Jun 6, 2014 | 03:28 PM Share Share Options #13 mantaguy Supreme Member iTrader: (5) Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 5,890 Likes: 80 From: Mantua NJ Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 packageEngine: 5.0 EFITransmission: THM700R4Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair I hope I and others that purchased these wings, don't have to look forward to this happening. Reply 0 0 mantaguy View Public Profile Find More Posts by mantaguy View iTrader Profile Jun 6, 2014 | 10:48 PM Share Share Options #14 DynoDave43 Supreme Member iTrader: (11) Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 4,748 Likes: 864 From: MICHIGAN Car: 1988 Trans AmEngine: L03Transmission: 700R4Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Same here, mantaguy. I'm going to have a very hard time matching 26 year old Bright Red paint. To have to do it again and again over the years....not a very exciting future. Reply 0 0 DynoDave43 View Public Profile Find More Posts by DynoDave43 View iTrader Profile Jun 6, 2014 | 10:54 PM Share Share Options #15 knight72 Junior Member Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 72 Likes: 0 From: Puerto Rico 00725 Car: 1992 W68 FirebirdEngine: 305 5.0L V8 TBITransmission: 700R4Axle/Gears: 2.73 Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Quote: Originally Posted by mantaguy I hope I and others that purchased these wings, don't have to look forward to this happening. i was about to buy one from them.. thank God i found this thread. Any other companies making wing repros? Reply 0 0 knight72 View Public Profile Find More Posts by knight72 View iTrader Profile Jun 6, 2014 | 10:57 PM Share Share Options #16 DynoDave43 Supreme Member iTrader: (11) Joined: Aug 2013 Posts: 4,748 Likes: 864 From: MICHIGAN Car: 1988 Trans AmEngine: L03Transmission: 700R4Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt 2.73 Open Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair None that I know of. They are the only game in town for this design, that I know of. This is the only post I've seen about trouble with this item. Let's hope it's an isolated incident. Reply 0 0 DynoDave43 View Public Profile Find More Posts by DynoDave43 View iTrader Profile Jun 7, 2014 | 05:11 AM Share Share Options #17 Goumba T Thread Starter Senior Member Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 604 Likes: 0 From: Howard Beach, NYC Car: 1990 TAEngine: LB9 305Transmission: 4L60 Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Quote: Originally Posted by Nighthawkf-117 The best way to repair it is with fiberglass cloth and resin over the crack from the inside of the part. I don't know how they'd do it from inside Quote: Originally Posted by Pontiac_Pete I used to work at a 'Vette restoration shop, cracks galore! Fortunately FG is easy to repair, well if you know how to do it right. I won't go into detail unless you want me to. I wouldn't worry too much, it just bites to have to get it refinished. Please do go into detail if you don't mind. I want to get the best repair possible. Not that I'll be doing it myself, but when I visit shops at least I know what to ask them. Reply 0 0 Goumba T View Public Profile Visit Goumba T's homepage! Find More Posts by Goumba T View iTrader Profile Jun 7, 2014 | 12:15 PM Share Share Options #18 Nighthawkf-117 Member iTrader: (1) Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 129 Likes: 0 From: Minnesota Car: 91' Camaro RSEngine: 305 TBI V8Transmission: 700/R4Axle/Gears: Stock Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Quote: Originally Posted by Goumba T I don't know how they'd do it from inside Please do go into detail if you don't mind. I want to get the best repair possible. Not that I'll be doing it myself, but when I visit shops at least I know what to ask them. If it were me I would cut the underside out so you could access the inside of the part. Using epoxy I would lay up a few layers of fiberglass cloth in alternating directions, 90, bias 90, bias etc. The fabric would go at least a few inches beyond the crack in all directions. Then seal the bottom from the outside, but have some something like thin pre-cured fiberglass epoxied to the edges of the bottom part you cut out. Imagine creating a lip so when the piece is put in place it will stay in its place without falling out. Once that is all cured fill all gaps in part with some sort of reinforced glue. I use epoxy thickened with small chopped pieces of fiberglass a lot for this sort of thing. However the idea is something like this, http://bondo.com/products/fiberglass...ler-00277.html Then do the normal bondo until smooth and then prime and paint. This is how I would do it. If you don't already have most of the required items this might be quite expensive. In my experience with composites this is the best way to fill a crack like this to have to best cosmetic appearance and best prevention against future cracks. However seeing that other people have experienced cracking with this product before this might be the first of many cracks on this part. Just my 2-cents Reply 0 0 Nighthawkf-117 View Public Profile Find More Posts by Nighthawkf-117 View iTrader Profile Jun 16, 2014 | 12:19 AM Share Share Options #19 MintWS6FORMULA Member Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 415 Likes: 2 From: Michigan [Bodacious Member with the Bodacious TA'TAs (Trans Ams)] Car: 91 Formula - Authentic and REALEngine: 5.0 LiterTransmission: 700R4 Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair Quote: Originally Posted by knight72 i was about to buy one from them.. thank God i found this thread. Any other companies making wing repros? If I were anyone looking for a replacement for any year third gen, I'd search out a 91-92 Formula/TA spoiler. Best looking spoiler of the entire third gen! (heck, I even saw someone attach one to the back of a truck one year at Autorama!) Reply 0 0 MintWS6FORMULA View Public Profile Find More Posts by MintWS6FORMULA View iTrader Profile Jun 16, 2014 | 12:23 AM Share Share Options #20 knight72 Junior Member Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 72 Likes: 0 From: Puerto Rico 00725 Car: 1992 W68 FirebirdEngine: 305 5.0L V8 TBITransmission: 700R4Axle/Gears: 2.73 Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair That's the one i want.... Reply 0 0 knight72 View Public Profile Find More Posts by knight72 View iTrader Profile Jun 16, 2014 | 12:29 AM Share Share Options #21 TTOP350 Supreme Member iTrader: (9) Joined: Oct 2001 Posts: 12,192 Likes: 1,114 From: Il Car: 1989-92 FORMULA350 305 92 HawkcloneEngine: 4++,350 & 305 CIsTransmission: 700R4 4800 vig 18th700R4 t56 ZF6 T5Axle/Gears: 3.70 9"ford alum chunk,dana44,9bolt Re: Fiberglass spoiler repair If you do high speed driving, stick with the 85-90 wing. Reply 0 0 TTOP350 View Public Profile Find More Posts by TTOP350 View iTrader Profile Reply Subscribe Related Topics Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post Gm OEM hood support rods, for fiberglass hood, 14045326 91TTOPZ Exterior Parts for Sale 5 Sep 20, 2016 01:42 PM [NY] Wanted: Factory Z28 Fiberglass Hood IROCTheHouse Exterior Parts Wanted 4 Oct 26, 2015 03:35 PM Tags boards, crack, cracks, easy, fiberglass, fill, fix, gen, message, repair, spoiler, trans, ways Back to Subforum Body View Next Unread Weatherstripping Thread Tools Show Printable Version Search this Thread Advanced Search Thread Tools Show Printable Version Email this Page Advanced Search Reply Closed Thread Share

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