slow_90firebird

I was trying to figure out how hard it would be to remove my spoiler for repair today. I popped off one of those black rubber caps on the underside of the hatch, and it looks like it is bolted on. But, how are the sides attached to the glass? Looks like some type of clips, but I didnt want to pry with a screwdriver for risk of breaking either the clips, or worse the wing itself.

The issue is: the spoiler is all faded from sun damage, and the paint is cracked up due to the flexible nature of the wing. Also, the rubber or plastic it is made out of is split in several places, and the rebar inside is rusting. I dont think bondo would hold in this flexible wing. I was thinking maybe lay some thick epoxy glue in the splits, then c-clamp it so it isnt buldged where the splits are? In the end I plan on sanding, priming, and flat balck the whole thing to match the t-bar, the bumper guards, and the window frames. Any suggestions would be welcome!

TIMMYS89GTA

iTrader: (28)

Man,I have seen several maybe hundreds of these spoilers in the condition you describe.I personally would take that wing off and toss it in the dumpster.New ones are very available from various aftermarket sources like Hawksthirdgenparts.com.Yes,they may be expensive,but you have a very nice part to complement your car.

novatuc

I kinda agree with Timmy. Ten years ago, I had an 85 with the same spoiler and never got repairs to stick well or look good. Paint just flaked off after while. Modern products may work better but the money you're gonna spend to fix it, might be better spent towards a fiberglass replacement. I never understood why Pontiac did the foam thing anyway. Fiberglass is probably lighter and better.

lonsal

iTrader: (2)

The wing is rusting from the inside. The repair procedure has been properly described, remove and toss into dumpster. Replace with the aftermarket fiberglass wing.

Lon

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

I trashed mine and am saving for a glass wing.

slow_90firebird

Oh I wish I could. But money dont come easy, and the fiberglass spoiler is like $300 or more, which is about $295 more than I hoped to spend on fixing the problem. I know its not gonna be perfect, but this isnt a show car either. The reason I plan on rattle spraying it flat black, is so when it fades and cracks another month down the road, all I need to invest in is another $2 can of flat black, and maybe a sheet of 200 grit.

But really, would epoxy work? I imagine it would seal the rust for a while, but I dont know how easy it might be to sand flush like bondo. Also, how do you unclip the left and right forward portion of the wing? There is a primer bird in my town with the whole forward parts of the spoiler GLUED onto the window. I dont want that at all.

Another option is, would a regular firebird/ older TA spoiler fit (non wraparound)? Or would it bolt through different holes? Because I dont think those wings were sponge. And it would look ok.

firebirdjosh

iTrader: (1)

I'd probably go without a wing rather than deal with fixing one halfassed every couple of months.

1989karr

what about tossing it, and putting on a base Firebird spoiler?

1989karr

or how about the newer fiberglass wings found on the 91 - 92s? Someone posted a pic of their new GTA and it seems to have that wing and looks nice.

Ozz1967

iTrader: (4)

Mine was in the same condition. The black covers on the underside of the hatch pop off and you simply unbolt them. The wing is attached to the glass area via clips...simply slide the wing "UP" towads the roof on the window and then pull it out. Very similar to one of those chain-door lock things you find in houses.

I would definitely get a fiberglass wing but I have yet to find an aftermarket company that sells a wing that will use all 6 connection points on the glass. The one I got only uses the top ones on each side and is bolted to the hatch on the back. I love it though, the fiberglass looks so much better and weighs about half as much.

88camarosc350

toss it in the dumpster , thats what i did that wing is 40lbs of dead weight.I'm gonna put somthing completely different on there.I don't like those aero wings anyway.

Spiers

iTrader: (7)

1.What I would do, I would leave the wing on there as it is, and look for a good used wing, that is in great condition.

2.Or you could leave it on there until you have the money for a nice aftermarket fiberglass wing.

3.Or you could get the regular firebird spoiler(non wrap around), they are cheap and easy to find, they are not sponge, but you will have to get a different decklid or fill and drill holes, because the holes are different. Thats too much trouble, plus it's just the base spoiler and it's ugly.

But I would not try to ghetto rig it and spray it flat black. No that's a bad idea.

Jeff89formula

for the love of god don't try fixing that foam spoiler. I have an 89 with the same issue. I did entensive research trying to save it. The wing is made of foam rubber over a metal frame with anti-mold agents in the foam. Even if you managed to repair it (normal & industrial adhiesives react with the anti-mold agents), it takes very special paint mixed (in the correct proportions) with elastic compounds and a special process to paint it. had a body shop quote in excess of $1000 to paint it (and they wouldn't guarantee it). Therefore toss it fill the holes and put on either the fiberglass base spoiler (found at junk jard, scuffed, repainted ($40)) or refurbish a spoiler from a different car all together (can anyone say custom!). I'm currently putting on mine, a spoiler from a sunbird. It's got a nice arc to it and with taller mounting bases will look like a high rise. Should look cool!!! One other benefit to scaping the foam wing. That wing is about 40-50 lbs. With the wing I'm putting on, my hatch shocks work again. KICK A--!