May 10, 2016, 02:15 PM
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Bubbling Sail Panel Issue for Dummies
Bubbling Sail Panel Issue for Dummies ***Summary of Issue as of 8/9/2012***
***UPDATED on 1/27/21, New Link Added***
4th gen F-body sail panels are adhered to the body of the car using glue (urethane). The bubbling sail panel paint issue is due to this glue seeping through the panel and causing bubbles along the surface of the panel. The reason for the seepage seems to be due to the lack of paint/epoxy primer on the underside of the panel, a process change which started at GM on very late '98 cars (05/98 and later are at risk) and affected all '99+ models. This allows the glue to directly contact the panel and seep into it over time. Heat/UV exposure seems to bring the glue through the panel once it's begun to seep.
Sanding/painting/bondo'ing/etc. will not fix this condition. Complete panel replacement is the only permanent fix. Once the glue has eaten into the panel, there is no way to correct this from the top side. The problem lies underneath, and nothing you do on top is going to change this. The only other option would be to never drive the car in sunlight.
This panel was discontinued by GM several years ago. At this point, your only options for panel replacement are:
Here is a link that contains a write-up and pictures of a hard top panel replacement, as well as further discussion of this issue:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...vice-pics.html
Here are three links that contain write-ups and/or pictures for t-top panel replacement:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...-yourself.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...y-version.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...l#post20323707
Here is a link that contains a video of panel replacement on a t-top car:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...how-video.html
There is a GM TSB out about this issue, but this is NOT a recall. Here is a link to the post containing the original TSB:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/2783967-post2.html
And another post which contains a better copy of the TSB, as updated and issued in April of 2003 (repair process is the same between the two TSBs):
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...l#post18704661
Glues that have been approved via the GM TSB for new roof application:
- U400 HV Essex (Dow)
- 3M Urethane 08690
Rarely, some customers were able to get GM or their dealer to cover the cost of replacing the panel, but this is no longer an option as GM doesn't stock the part and won't pay to locate/obtain/install a reproduction or used panel. The last person I've heard about who was able to get GM to cover the repair did so in or around 2008.
- RPM WS6
***UPDATED on 1/27/21, New Link Added***
4th gen F-body sail panels are adhered to the body of the car using glue (urethane). The bubbling sail panel paint issue is due to this glue seeping through the panel and causing bubbles along the surface of the panel. The reason for the seepage seems to be due to the lack of paint/epoxy primer on the underside of the panel, a process change which started at GM on very late '98 cars (05/98 and later are at risk) and affected all '99+ models. This allows the glue to directly contact the panel and seep into it over time. Heat/UV exposure seems to bring the glue through the panel once it's begun to seep.
Sanding/painting/bondo'ing/etc. will not fix this condition. Complete panel replacement is the only permanent fix. Once the glue has eaten into the panel, there is no way to correct this from the top side. The problem lies underneath, and nothing you do on top is going to change this. The only other option would be to never drive the car in sunlight.
This panel was discontinued by GM several years ago. At this point, your only options for panel replacement are:
- New reproduction panel from
6LE DesignsMAGG Performance (fiberglass or carbon fiber)
- Used panel from a donor 4th gen car built prior to 05/98 (and yes, an LT1 era car panel will fit and work just fine)
- Have a custom panel made by a body shop that is good with fiberglass fabrication
Here is a link that contains a write-up and pictures of a hard top panel replacement, as well as further discussion of this issue:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...vice-pics.html
Here are three links that contain write-ups and/or pictures for t-top panel replacement:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...-yourself.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...y-version.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...l#post20323707
Here is a link that contains a video of panel replacement on a t-top car:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...how-video.html
There is a GM TSB out about this issue, but this is NOT a recall. Here is a link to the post containing the original TSB:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/2783967-post2.html
And another post which contains a better copy of the TSB, as updated and issued in April of 2003 (repair process is the same between the two TSBs):
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...l#post18704661
Glues that have been approved via the GM TSB for new roof application:
- U400 HV Essex (Dow)
- 3M Urethane 08690
Rarely, some customers were able to get GM or their dealer to cover the cost of replacing the panel, but this is no longer an option as GM doesn't stock the part and won't pay to locate/obtain/install a reproduction or used panel. The last person I've heard about who was able to get GM to cover the repair did so in or around 2008.
- RPM WS6
Last edited by RPM WS6; Mar 24, 2018 at 12:12 PM. Reason: New Link Added.
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: okc, ok
Originally Posted by Mandrake
Whoa, and I thought I was the only one with the roof bubbles.....
Do I just call my local GM dealership and they'll know about it?
Do I just call my local GM dealership and they'll know about it?
All i did was drove my car to a Pontiac Body Shop and had a Service Rep look at it.. after that, he made a phone call to corporate office to verify the service bulletin #'s was correct and i was set.. he also mentioned that another fbody came in about 6 months before me with the same prob, so we wrote my ticket based off the prev work of the other with ease.. They worked with me fine and it is ALL covered by warranty, i believe its 5yr/80,000mile but i'm not sure, he never really told me what the warranty limit for the recall was.
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: okc, ok
Originally Posted by LS1POWER98
no dout 99-02 wtf Gm you know that it was 98-02 i have a 98 ws6 i havent had a problem yet but gm is so ******* cheap and are such ********* to the customers wtf at least theyre steppin up a bit
mine started to get wavy in the paint about a 1 1/2 ago.. i just been ignorant (until now) to taking it in a body shop again.. i dont like body shops, somethin always seems to happen
but my warranty time of 5yrs for paint defects was running out, so i am hurrily doing this before its too late.
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I'd like to see some pics as well. The top of my car's paint has always looked kinda wavy and I've always wondered why... Guess it doesn't really matter since I have no warranty, but curious none the less.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Texas
holy (&*%**^(*&)*
i just checked it on my SS, waves poping up all over the top and a few descent sized bubbles poping up on the sides! ok, so warrenty covers it? and i tell them i heard about it on the net and give them a service number, where is this number at tho?
thanks
i just checked it on my SS, waves poping up all over the top and a few descent sized bubbles poping up on the sides! ok, so warrenty covers it? and i tell them i heard about it on the net and give them a service number, where is this number at tho?
thanks
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Texas
i just called one of my local chevy dealers, they couldn't find anything in there compter that looked even close to that service recall... i gave the guy the bulletin number from that pdf posted earlier, he said there was nothing in the computer matching that number... am i getting the run around?
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
okay but the paint warranty is 6yr 100,000 miles. i'm trying to contact my local dealer right now because i have the same problem. heck, i actually have a bubble in the paint where the clear coat actually lifted from the paint. nice...
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Acworth, GA
Originally Posted by 00ramair
okay but the paint warranty is 6yr 100,000 miles. i'm trying to contact my local dealer right now because i have the same problem. heck, i actually have a bubble in the paint where the clear coat actually lifted from the paint. nice...
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally Posted by 00ramair
okay but the paint warranty is 6yr 100,000 miles. i'm trying to contact my local dealer right now because i have the same problem. heck, i actually have a bubble in the paint where the clear coat actually lifted from the paint. nice...
and on that 6yr paint warranty, was that with all f bodys? or that an extra?
.... 