so ive been trying to remove a sail panel from an lt1 camaro from the junk yard and it is near impossible! i got a wire saw (looks like a paino wire with handles on the end) and tried removing it with that, and been at it for a couple hours and got only about 1/3 of the way through. THIS SUCKS! anyone who has done this please offer your suggestions.

 

heat gun?????

 

What I had to do was cut the roof off if they will allow it, take a plasma cutter and cut the bulk metal off underneath. Carefully heat the under side of the roof with a torch. My buddy done my just like that, took him less than a hr.

 

or buy one from 6LE

 

once you heated it did you just slowly peel it off or did you finish cutting it off with piano wire?

 

Why would you want to re-use an old one?
If it had used the same bad glue that had out-gassing into the material & thru to bubbles in the paint, ..., what makes you think that you can put it on your car, repaint it, & not have the same problem again?!?

Even it does NOT currently have the bubbles, what's the risk involved that you go thru all this work & come to find out later that it again does get the bubbles?

I'd find a new one if I were you. Call up 6LE.

 

You can buy one from 6LE but last i heard they were still in the process of being made so wait times could be few months. The 93 to 98 mid-year cars don't have the issues due to they used different glue. When heating it you just slowly work the piano wire back and forth it will come right off. Just take your time. Pm if needed.

 

"BJSS25" nailed it. the pre 98 cars dont have the glue issue. and i dont have the time to wait for a new one from 6LE.

 

Update for those of you who may attempt to do this. BJSS25 is my hero. i did exactlly as he said a few post above this one. i cut the roof off the car,took it home then removed the mass of metal from the underside. then i heated it up with a heat gun (from the underside) and then the piano wire cut threw like butter.

 

so is the best way to take this out with a piano wire???

 

yes, but you need to heat the glue first. its a must. for the amount of heat your gonna need its best to heat it from underneath so you dont risk damaging the panel.

 

you can find those anywhere.

 

As was outlined above, this problem only plagues the very late '98 through '02 cars. '93 through most of '98 do not ever develop this condition, so those roof panels are safe.

Cars with a build date of May 1998 (05/98) or later are at risk.

 

they are still listed on most gm parts websites, but try to order one or call them. i have tried so has many other people. they all tell you that gm has discontinued the part a while ago and that their are none available anywhere in the usa