Front Spoiler Removal - Help needed

[chewybaca96]

It's winter so my NSX is garaged for now and I'm getting a lot of work done on it. One of the items on the list is to remove/replace the front spoiler. It already had cracks in it when purchased and the long drive to pick up from VA to UT ended up damaging it further. I'm not sure which spoiler it is exactly, I can take pics if someone thinks they can identify it for me. However, for now I need to get it removed. From looking it over, it looks to be attached using heavy duty double sided adhesive tape. Is this the norm for front spoilers on the NSX? What is the best way to remove this to not damage the stock bumper? Thanks in advance.

 

[Valhalla]

I think a picture would aid us greatly in identifying what you are asking. The OEM rubber spoiler is attached with 13 screws (I think it's thirteen) and its pretty straight forward. You mention double sided tape so I have a feeling you have an aftermarket spoiler. It's pretty easy to cut through that. Get a nice length of fishing line and pull it between the spoiler and the bumper. Anchor one end to the furthest point on the seam and pull the other end around. Won't make any dents or scrapes and it should come off pretty easy.

 

[chewybaca96]

Yeah, its aftermarket. Give me a few and I'll get some pictures attached.

 

[jaja]

Heat usually does the trick.

Assuming no mounting bolts were used (only double sided tape):

I'd say grab a hairdryer (or heat gun) and some patience.
Start on a lower heat setting and gradually increase, make sure not overheating and damaging the polypropylene front valence.
Then pry the spoiler off the valence as you go.

Else, get the mounting bolts off first, then proceed as above.
Here's a snip from the 91 service manual (pg. 20-48):


Regarding the 2 sided tape:
This spoiler uses the oem mounting bolts above, but I'm sure double sided tape does the trick if a mounting location is buggered.

Lucas

 

[chewybaca96]

Here are a few pics. The heat gun/fishing line together sound like it should do the trick. If anyone can identify make/model of that spoiler, I may replace it with same, otherwise suggestions are welcome. Pic of current side skirts as well for possible match of front spoiler.

 

[Valhalla]

I think its a Wings West spoiler and side skirts but i'm no expert.

 

[chewybaca96]

I think its a Wings West spoiler and side skirts but i'm no expert.

I think you're right:

http://www.wingswest.com/catalog/Ac...1-Acura-Nsx-W-Typ-Front-Lip-Polyurethane.html

 

[ThumperAC]

yup, looks like wings west to me

 

[DocL]

If the WW spoiler was attached with the double sided tape it came with, you are going to probably pull off the paint below it. Use a heat gun, not a regular blow dryer, and slowly pry it off. You will not be able to use fishing line.

The side skirts look like Stacey's.

 

[chewybaca96]

If the WW spoiler was attached with the double sided tape it came with, you are going to probably pull off the paint below it. Use a heat gun, not a regular blow dryer, and slowly pry it off. You will not be able to use fishing line.

The side skirts look like Stacey's.

Thanks DocL. I'll be working on this come the weekend more than likely. Hopefully it will come off easily without any damage to the bumper.

 

[BrianB]

It's a wings west front lip but the sides are different.
I just removed mine to get some chips repaired. It peeled off no problem. But it had been riveted on to the inside of the fender liner area so I had to drill those out.
Usually the wings west is virtually indestructible I'm going to look at the pic again but you could possibly just have that one repaired instead of buying a new one. Was it cracked or just the paint cracked off?

 

[chewybaca96]

It's a wings west front lip but the sides are different.
I just removed mine to get some chips repaired. It peeled off no problem. But it had been riveted on to the inside of the fender liner area so I had to drill those out.
Usually the wings west is virtually indestructible I'm going to look at the pic again but you could possibly just have that one repaired instead of buying a new one. Was it cracked or just the paint cracked off?

It had some cracks in it when I purchased the car. They had tried to repair them with some type of adhesive that looked pretty poor. The drive home (VA to UT) pretty much did it in since it already had cracks. LOADS of road construction. It is literally missing an entire chunk out of the passenger side. Unfortunately there's no repairing it at this point. I like the look of it though so I may go with the same, but I'm still shopping around. Probably get it pulled off this weekend since I was sick all last weekend.

 

[BrianB]

Well, since you only need the front lip I see them pop up in the for sale section all the time. If you decide to buy new let me know I can get you a discount code for the site I got my WW kit. Only catch is to review the product after install. I think it's 10-20% off. The site is www.drivenbystyle.com

 

[chewybaca96]

Well, since you only need the front lip I see them pop up in the for sale section all the time. If you decide to buy new let me know I can get you a discount code for the site I got my WW kit. Only catch is to review the product after install. I think it's 10-20% off. The site is www.drivenbystyle.com

Awesome. I'll let you know what I end up doing. I've yet to get the work done to take it off. Got sent to Portland for a last minute work trip. Next week I suppose. hah!

 

[chewybaca96]

Got it pulled off. Thanks for all the suggestions. That double sided adhesive tape is a bitch. Some came off with the spoiler, some stayed on the car. A lot of elbow grease and some different (paint safe) adhesive removers have helped. Still have some to get off but its coming. Did lose a couple tiny spots of paint on the bumper itself, but I can either touch them up or I may have the lower portion just repainted. I have to have the rear done anyway so I could have it done at the same time.