Any suggestions on how to remove spoiler?
#1
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Mods - please could you leave this in General for a little while.
We have been trying to remove the rear STI4 spoiler which was fitted by a Subaru dealer. I have sold it, so I can't damage it, which means any suggestions have to be sensible please!
The bodyshop where I had my new spoiler sprayed won't even try to remove it for me, they have said it's stuck on so well you could pick the car up with it.
We have tried the dental floss method - works OK with lettering & badges, not heavy duty enough to cope with this, and boiling water, as suggested by the dealer who fitted it - they can't remember what they stuck it with!
It seems to be a black resin type material, this is what was on one of the nuts that was removed from underneath.
So, any suggestions?
We have been trying to remove the rear STI4 spoiler which was fitted by a Subaru dealer. I have sold it, so I can't damage it, which means any suggestions have to be sensible please!
The bodyshop where I had my new spoiler sprayed won't even try to remove it for me, they have said it's stuck on so well you could pick the car up with it.
We have tried the dental floss method - works OK with lettering & badges, not heavy duty enough to cope with this, and boiling water, as suggested by the dealer who fitted it - they can't remember what they stuck it with!
It seems to be a black resin type material, this is what was on one of the nuts that was removed from underneath.
So, any suggestions?
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Thanks for the ideas peeps! (I'll have to find a fisherman now!)
I am so p****d off, new spoiler is going back tomorrow, along with new P1 grille - both painted wrong shade of red!!!!
I am so p****d off, new spoiler is going back tomorrow, along with new P1 grille - both painted wrong shade of red!!!!
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#11
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Could try a hair dryer. It works for badges so may work for this.
I reckon you've gotta use heat in conjunction with the dental floss method (but using fishing cord)
I reckon you've gotta use heat in conjunction with the dental floss method (but using fishing cord)
#12
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Heat will have no effect on the adhesive if it's silicone. Your ONLY answer is cutting through it, as anything you use to try to dissolve it will have to get under the spoiler, if you see what I mean, and you'll be there all winter!
Myself, I'd certainly try thin STRONG twine, STRONG fishing line, or MiG welding wire. I'd do the twine first, as the friction will help to "cut" the silicone, and wrap it round a couple of pieces of dowel/coachbolts etc to get a good grip.
Once it's off, you can then remove silicone from the mating surfaces by scraping with a sharpish blade, VERY carefully, then coating with "Silicone Eater" available from good DIY stores, leave for 2 hours, wipe off, repeat for stubborn bits, harmless to paint----in fact it smells suspiciously like Swarfega!
Alcazar
Myself, I'd certainly try thin STRONG twine, STRONG fishing line, or MiG welding wire. I'd do the twine first, as the friction will help to "cut" the silicone, and wrap it round a couple of pieces of dowel/coachbolts etc to get a good grip.
Once it's off, you can then remove silicone from the mating surfaces by scraping with a sharpish blade, VERY carefully, then coating with "Silicone Eater" available from good DIY stores, leave for 2 hours, wipe off, repeat for stubborn bits, harmless to paint----in fact it smells suspiciously like Swarfega!
Alcazar
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Thanks for all your advice guys, we'll be trying some of them out in the next couple of days, I'll let you know how we get on!
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If it is silicon you need to remove, there's also some strange putty stuff you can use to dissolve silicon sealant around baths - available from B&Q over at Lakeside if nothing else; I don't believe that will damage paint either (worth trying it on something out of sight to prove that though). Might help a little, but use in conjunction with the wire method rather than on it's own.
If all else fails, I'll bring my crowbar to the next meet.
If all else fails, I'll bring my crowbar to the next meet.
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Thanks Hades, but I think I'll pass on the crowbar
Talking of the next meet, have you started sorting it out yet, as it's your turn? Oh! I forgot you are a man & leave things until the last minute LOL!!!!!
Talking of the next meet, have you started sorting it out yet, as it's your turn? Oh! I forgot you are a man & leave things until the last minute LOL!!!!!
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It sounds like Sikaflex to me, basically it's a full on, double hard b*satrd, don't f*ck with me adhesive!
I'd seriously consider doing a deal that included the bootlid too, it would be easier all round I'm sure
If it really must come off, visit your local windscreens fitting place, they have special wire they use to cut windscreens out, I should imagine that would get through but expect some paint damage
Best of luck, let us know how you get on
Bob
I'd seriously consider doing a deal that included the bootlid too, it would be easier all round I'm sure
If it really must come off, visit your local windscreens fitting place, they have special wire they use to cut windscreens out, I should imagine that would get through but expect some paint damage
Best of luck, let us know how you get on
Bob
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I can't belive nobody has mentioned leaving it parked in a dodgy council estate, it'll be off in no time
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It is well glued on, I am driving around without the bolts attached at the moment, and it still hasn't budged! Got a few ideas now though, progress report will be posted
#22
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Just park up for 5 mins in Slough, the pikeys will have it off before you have chance to look in your rear view mirror
The downside to this is that you will need a new set of alloys too
The downside to this is that you will need a new set of alloys too
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LOL! I live just down the road from such an estate, trouble is, the spoiler is sold, so I really need them to give it back after they take it off, I can't see them doing that, can you!
#24
Enamel thinners, a chisel and mallet and a bit of brute force and ignorance is what it took to remove the spoiler brackets on the rear window of my wagon...
That black stuff Subaru use is impossible... Good luck getting it off in one piece!
That black stuff Subaru use is impossible... Good luck getting it off in one piece!
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Just leave the car in the Northfield area of Birmingham...the spoiler will be off in no time..........................and the wheels and the bonnet and the doors...................