99monguse

the 1999s and up had issues with the sail panel and the adhesive attaching it to the body...apparently, the glue leeches through and causes ripples in the paint. How do you fix this? I think this panel might be discontinued through GM.

J LT1 TA

iTrader: (6)

6le sells them

BrianSF-GA

... in both fiberglass and carbon fiber and has a targa top for the hard top fbodies. The issue seems to be removing the existing panel.

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

I didn't think removing the existing one was that hard. Piano wire, large putty knife, scraper, etc...

I'm going to have to do this to my 99 at some point.

ramairetransam

iTrader: (18)

Go to a junkyard and get one. My cousins husband just returned a fiberglass sail panel and is gonna use one from a 97 camaro

Wicked 94TA

iTrader: (5)

I've got that same problem, so if I get one I'm looking at on a '95 Z28 in the junkyard I should be good?

NHRA4MULA

iTrader: (29)

Can you sand the bubbles out and down a bit and then Bondo and sand smooth or will it come through the Bondo ??

Jassick

iTrader: (1)

not to be an ***, but a quick look at the stickies up top would have saved you some time.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...e-dummies.html

SparkyJJO

iTrader: (11)

No. There is no alternative repair. The only thing you can do is replace it. Yes, it sucks, and my car is showing signs of bubbles starting too (millions of them).

This, although granted the thread is a mile long.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

All the answers to every question in this thread are already in the sticky.

- The issue seems to be due to the lack of an epoxy primer on the underside of the panel, a process change which started at GM on very late '98 cars (05/98 and later) and affected all '99+ models. This allows the glue to directly contact the panel and seep into it. Heat/UV exposure seems to bring the glue through the panel once it's begun to seep.

- No, sanding/painting/bondo'ing/etc. will not fix it. 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.

- The panel was discontinued by GM several years ago. At this point, your only options for panel replacement are:

• New reproduction panel from site sponsor 6LE (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

- Yes, there is a GM TSB out about this issue, but this is NOT a recall. 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 that was able to get GM to cover the repair did so in or around 2008.

That pretty much sums up the sticky, for those that don't want to read all the pages.

If you have other questions or comments to add about this issue, please do so in the sticky.