Do I dare to remove my fin?

Adenn · 08-07-02, 08:31

I have a 01 ruby red Alero that has a fin on the trunk. After looking under the trunk lid, I noticed that the fin seems to be attached by four nuts (two on each end) with a rubber seal on each. I am planning a full exterior detail at the end of the month--Dawn wash, claying, 3M SWR and then a coat or two of 3M show car wax.

Do I dare remove the fin to be able to do the trunk lid with more ease--and to do the fin in its entirety? I fear that once I take it off that it will never be the same again--just have a paranoia about the whole thing.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Adenn:scared

blkZ28Conv · 08-07-02, 09:00

My vote..do not remove. JMO. Work these tight areas meticulously by hand. Many of the hidden surfaces you are talking about are probably in great shape anyways. By breaking the seals that have been established since production may lead to a trunk leak or even worst intra-panel leak.:scared
There are always some areas more difficult to detail, but that's just part of the fun.

TortoiseAWD · 08-07-02, 11:19

I have the same dilemma . . . the spoiler on the WRX is a pain to work around, even by hand. It's oddly shaped at the outsides, and low enough that you can't get under it, but of course high enough that you can see the paint finish under it. Of more concern to me is the area of trunk-lid immediately in front of the spoiler, as it has collected some swirls and minor marring, and is very visible. That area could probably be addressed by hand, but I've considered removing the spoiler . . .

Decisions, decisions . . .

Tort

Adenn · 08-07-02, 11:32

BLK highlighted a issue I was worried about--breaking the factory seals--I am just going to leave it alone and spend the extra time to do the area by hand. Beats having any trouble with it. Having enough trouble trying to wash the car in the early morning without having people giving me dirty looks due to our drought restrictions. With a shut-off valve on the hose, I use less water than when I use the shower--so give me a break!

StLB5 · 08-07-02, 12:05

I used to have a 99 Grand Prix GTP. It has a wider, flatter spoiler. The factory seal pretty much sucked and it was hard to completely spray out water/soap when washing it. My seal got bad enough that after some hard rain, it dripped through to the trunk! That sucks! The fix was to take the spoiler off and add some 1/8" black o-rings between the spoiler and the trunk with some silicone on either side of the o-ring. This serves two purposes. 1, it's a lot better than the factory "seal" was. 2, it raises the spoiler just enough to be able to spray out under it, but not high enough to look odd.

I'd go ahead and take it off, just be prepared to reseal it.