front spoiler repair

[mhackney]

My new-to-me 83 SC Cabriolet came with a chunk out of the rubber(y) front spoiler as seen here:



The rest of it is in good shape. Given the expense of these items, I would like to repair it. Has anyone done this or have any ideas? Anyone have a short broken segment they want to get rid of? I thought maybe cutting the bad part out with a band saw and splicing in a new segment with some sort of adhesive would be acceptable - IF I could find the segment.

cheers,
Michael

[88911coupe]

I'll be following this post since a large badger took a bite out of mine at some point.

[LM3929]

I hav an old one that could be used for repairs if our "bites" are in different spots.

LM

[mhackney]

LM, as you can see, mine is just right of center. I would think a 6" section anywhere in that vicinity would work. I would bandsaw out my chip to smooth it up and cut a matching semicircular patch from the segment. Not sure about the adhesive yet, I have a few that I could experiment with. Maybe a very thin fiberglass cloth reinforcement on the back to provide some strength and it should be good to go.

email or PM me please.

cheers,
Michael

[mhackney]

This is what I had in mind:



Cheers,
Michael

[89911]

That is quite a bit or repair work. You might be able to source a used one if the price of a new one is out of reach. The material that the spoiler is made of is difficult to get anything to bond to and then make it look like it wasn't repaired. My old one was ripped and I would occasionally glue the part back. The good news is that if you get a new one and are careful, they are very durable.

[mhackney]

I did a little experiment on the back side of the spoiler with several adhesives. Turns out that 3M Rubber Gasket Adhesive sticks to this stuff like, well, glue! The bond was very strong. So I do think that this repair would take maybe an hour and with a reinforcement glued to the back extending beyond the edge of the splice line by an inch or so, could make a good repair. I am not so concerned about the "close up" cosmetics but a bite out of the spoiler is very easy to spot!

I'll keep my eyes open for a good used one too.

cheers,
Michael

[MIK911]

Originally Posted by mhackney

My new-to-me 83 SC Cabriolet came with a chunk out of the rubber(y) front spoiler as seen here:

Also, does anyone know how to fix/correct the BENT portion of the rubber chin spoiler as seen in the pic to the left of the missing chunk?

[mhackney]

Mike, that is easy! Use a hairdryer or heat gun on low heat to warm it up and reshape. I doused mine in with cold water to hasten the cooling.

cheers,
Michael

[SCWDP911]

Hey guys, how did your repairs work out. I have one in a similar boat that I was going to try to resurrect.

[Vincent Hill]

Has anyone come up with a better repair?? I put a few dings in my front spoiler and was wondering if anyone had anything that they used to fill in the Dings. The reason I Posted to this thread was I was also thinking about using the black 3M rubber adhesive. I was going to sand it all smooth then glue and let dry then sand again then using a rubber paint go over the repair.

[chuckr]

I used the 3M black weatherstrip adhesive

[Vincent Hill]

Originally Posted by chuckr

I used the 3M black weatherstrip adhesive

Thanks, that is as close as I can get to something that WILL stick AND be flexible AND not be too noticeable. When I heard it strike the ground it took me a day to actually look at it! At least it is all there and only a little on the Bottom edge is scratched. With all o the low cars nowadays you would think that Someone would have made something by now Just for this!

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by 88911coupe

I'll be following this post since a large badger took a bite out of mine at some point.

That's one fast badger . . . .

[djcdmv]

May sound a little strange, but for a similar gouge in mine I used Gorilla Glue. I would dab some on, let it expand and dry, then continue the dab and dry process until the whole chunk was filled in. After completely dry, I trimmed it with a utility knife and painted it flat black. Whole process took a couple days because there were many layers, but very little time (less than two minutes for each layer). Just make sure you throw some cardboard underneath for the inevitable drips of glue.

[drcoastline]

I have a very similar gouge out of my spoiler as the one in the photo by mhackney. The only difference is the piece from mine never fully separated from the spoiler. I glued it back on with household GOOP. I put the Goop in the cut then duck tapped it together. I then smeared a bunch on the back across the cut. That was 15 years ago. It is still holding. The goop has slightly yellowed but is barely noticeable against the black rubber.

Another product that may work is called Freesole. It is a vulcanizing product sold at LL Bean and is used to glue the sole back on LL Bean boots. I bought a tube last winter as one of my soles began to separate from the boot. So far so good.

I hope this is helpful.

[Ian Fulton]

Michael,

Why not try products available from Devcon or Loctite. See their catalogues for more details

[porsche930dude]

mine was cracked top to bottom and i glued it with CA glue from the local hobby store . The stuff is amazing i use it all the time . just make sure you wipe off any excess instantly . and dont glue your fingers together

[SCWDP911]

I have an old spoiler in my garage. It is basically trashed, but would be good for someone trying to effect a repair possibly. Maybe you could cut out a piece to glue into your damaged area and then the paint. If interested, let me know and it is yours. Just pay the postage (probably $10-15 for the priority boxes I would guess). Or if you are close enough west Tennessee, come on by!

[dshepp806]

Mine is to be replaced under insurance claim (at present)...that pup cami in at $460.00 from Porsche.

Best!

Doyle