how to fix GMs bubbles on sail panel?
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 732
Likes: 0
From: OHIO
how to fix GMs bubbles on sail panel? 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.
Trending Topics
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
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...e-dummies.html
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote 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
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...e-dummies.html
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,623
Likes: 2,540
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
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
https://ls1tech.com/forums/paint-bod...e-dummies.html
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.
Last edited by RPM WS6; Jul 27, 2012 at 02:05 PM.
