May 10, 2016, 02:15 PM
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Bubbling Sail Panel Issue for Dummies
I had a guy in my car club that is a excellent body man decided to do a repair on my just to see if it would work. It didn't cost much since he is a friend tell me what you guys think.
Here is what he done.
After sanding the bubbles down some with 180 grit, I blew some of the dust off with my air blower and the paint started to fly off too! I believe this might be part of the problem with the bubbling. Tiny cracks (more like pin-holes) in the sail panel release gasses from the adhesive underneath, and since the paint has nearly no adhesion to begin with, the expanding gasses underneath push up on the paint and create little bubbles. I ended up using the air blower to remove most of the paint, then sanded the rest off with 180 grit. Three heavy coats of high-build primer should do it! The idea is that the primer sprayed over 180 grit scratches with have extremely good adhesion and form a barrier against the gasses trying to escape through the little pin-holes. Only time will tell though.
Here is what he done.
After sanding the bubbles down some with 180 grit, I blew some of the dust off with my air blower and the paint started to fly off too! I believe this might be part of the problem with the bubbling. Tiny cracks (more like pin-holes) in the sail panel release gasses from the adhesive underneath, and since the paint has nearly no adhesion to begin with, the expanding gasses underneath push up on the paint and create little bubbles. I ended up using the air blower to remove most of the paint, then sanded the rest off with 180 grit. Three heavy coats of high-build primer should do it! The idea is that the primer sprayed over 180 grit scratches with have extremely good adhesion and form a barrier against the gasses trying to escape through the little pin-holes. Only time will tell though.
i called gm today argued for an hr finally got an appointment at the dealership went there and the body shop manager told me he had one in last month and got it approved he said hed start the papers for mine and get back to me by monday so we could get the car in and taken care of... so well see how its goes
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Southern NJ
I hate to be the bearer of very bad news but I had mine replaced in 2003. The whole roof because it is not a t-top, all at GMs expense. I thought I was one of the lucky ones. The car has always been garaged, a '98 SS with 32,000 miles. Pristine condition, silver with black top. Just noticed this week the problem is returning. It was bubbles the first time, now I can see wavy areas where the glue was applied. Down the middle of the roof, and across the back just above the glass hatch. Seems to be worse the higher the ambient temperature. Up the creek with no paddle this time I guess.
so can this still be done? what are the requirements? my car is a 2000 and im not the original owner...body has over 114k on it... have little bubbles that look like theyre ready to break open on my sail panel... who d i contact about this if i even can still do it?
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Launching!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield, VA
So there are no creative solution to this problem other than ripping the old one off and replacing it with a new one with proper adhesive? Seems like someone could make some big coin in the aftermarket if they could come up with some kind of custom sail panel cover that would look great and cover the ugliness.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield, VA
So there are no creative solution to this problem other than ripping the old one off and replacing it with a new one with proper adhesive? Seems like someone could make some big coin in the aftermarket if they could come up with some kind of custom sail panel cover that would look great and cover the ugliness.
I wonder if 6LE would be interested in making a ABS or carbonfiber overlay?
We've thought about making them, but it would cost too much, and the profit margin would be too minimal. We'd have to charge at least $500 and we'd have to ship it in HUGE box as it doesn't fold up. I'm sure shipping would be over $150. Our splitters alone are over $100.
But I need a sail panel too. :/
I hate to be the bearer of very bad news but I had mine replaced in 2003. The whole roof because it is not a t-top, all at GMs expense. I thought I was one of the lucky ones. The car has always been garaged, a '98 SS with 32,000 miles. Pristine condition, silver with black top. Just noticed this week the problem is returning. It was bubbles the first time, now I can see wavy areas where the glue was applied. Down the middle of the roof, and across the back just above the glass hatch. Seems to be worse the higher the ambient temperature. Up the creek with no paddle this time I guess.
I work in a body shop. I am a painter, so I just sprayed my entire car, the body is perfect. The car is beautiful, cut and buffed to a piece of glass. BUT, The roof is shot, bubbles everywhere, ruining the car. I tried fixing the panel twice, it won't happen. I sanded it all out, epoxy primer, high build primer, block sand, 3 more coats of high build, came right through. Bodywokred it out and primed again, comes right through. You need some serious material to block it from coming through and I honeslty dont think there is anything besides replacing the panel that will fix it. I will be fighting with GM to see if the is ANYTHING at all that they can do. By the way, gmpartsdirect just jacked their price up higher on the panel (the week before I go to order it) figures...you're looking at $700 bucks to by one out of your own pocket.(from gmpartsdirect) GM sells them for $1030 now.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
From: Chesterfield, VA
When the body shop replaced my panel, they called in a guy from a windshield replacement company - from what I understand, he was able to cut it off, and keep it in one piece. I'm not sure how willing someone like that would be to go to a junk yard, but that's how they did mine.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg, PA
i called gm today argued for an hr finally got an appointment at the dealership went there and the body shop manager told me he had one in last month and got it approved he said hed start the papers for mine and get back to me by monday so we could get the car in and taken care of... so well see how its goes