Hey Team Detail!
I’ve recently had some inquires and discussion’s about removing wings from cars in order to fully correct the paint. Should we do it? Some do it? Some don’t? And what would be the benefit of removing the spoiler, if we did!?!
Personally, I feel like it’s a key essential to doing the job right! A customer asks me for a “full correction” and depending on the type of spoiler, it has to come off. Nothing is worse than seeing a car that looks like a million bucks, except for that one spot you cant get a machine polisher on. Not to mention the bottom side of the wing. These areas need to be treated just like the rest of the car during a correction process. If a wax or coating is to be applied and we want full coverage and equal protection throughout the vehicles paint as a whole, these areas need to be prepped to do so.
I only recommend removing parts off cars if the right tools are available and some basic mechanics knowledge has been practiced. Having the right tools is more than half the battle. Stripping a bolt or damaging hardware will result in a few things a customer would not like to hear.
- It could possibly void warranty if the manufacture see’s its been tampered with poorly.
- The vehicle may need new seals, hardware etc.
- It may not go back together the same way it came apart.
There are the 3 things (I’m sure we could think of more) as an example of how “not” having the right tools and knowledge could backfire.
The customers ultimately have the final say as to if he / she trust it to be done or not by a detailer. Not every customer is the same and it is to be respected. Whether they trust you or not, at the end of the day it’s their car and their decisions. I’ve run into some customers who would trust me to tear the car down to a million pieces and put it back together and some will believe it is only for the dealership to take the chance. Respectfully so.
However, if a full paint correction is to be done right I fully stand behind taking the wing off! It is the only way to machine polish and correct this portion of vehicles paint. The thoroughness of the job when it’s all complete and put back together is so obvious. It just pulls the whole job together and you know it looks amazing at first sight! Having it done this way will also make for easier maintenance on the weekend or a quick wash day. You’ll also see in the pictures I provided, the removal of the taillights. Over the course of a few years a good amount of dirt and debris will get in these sections (most would be surprised). Just like tire rotation and oil changes, this is another way to keep up with the maintenance (areas like this are mostly overlooked). However as an example, if I was to hire someone to change my brakes I would love to have it “proven” that the job will be done correctly. If a customer was to request this service and the detailer has to ask “how” to take it off, I would be very hesitant as a customer. Often the wings of cars will have a seal or some kind of double sided tape that allows the two parts not to rub and scratch each other. If it’s a seal, it can not be damaged while removing. If it’s double sided tape, it has to be replaced. Having a helping hand and a good relationship with your toolbox and its contents are things I would look into before having someone do a job like this.
I’m sure you could already imagine the benefits from removing the spoiler. With the wing off the car it is so much easier to polish the trunk lid with no interference. On one of the WS6 picture below is a 50/50 from a detail that received a full wet sand. With the wing off the car and turned over we are able to properly polish the under side as well. When the car gos back together and a LSP (Last Step Product) is getting ready to be applied, we can assure equal protection and a great look throughout the entire car! The benefits of removing the rear wing certainly outweigh the drawbacks that have been mentioned above. However it takes a matter of trust that the job will be done right.
Below is a few pictures to get a basic idea:
The Porsche Carrera below had Menzerna Power Lock applied the section that the wing will cover up once put back on. Over the next several months (after this detail I did) the maintenance on the car will be a breeze. As this is an area that water will collect in, amongst other debris. Taking a blower of some kind to the car when drying will solve that problem. I use Metro Vac when I’m drying a car.
The upkeep of “all” the paint on a car is an important way to ensure the best look for your vehicle. Every year or every other year I would check on these spots to maintain and hold value to the car. As I said, they’re often over looked. I hope this article helps in guiding another important question when getting ready to hire someone for paint correction!
Porsche Carrera wing back on and completely cleaned and protected on the underside.
Pontiac WS6:
This detail was a bit more intense, the entire car needed to be wet sanded due to a bad paint job. It would have been impossible to complete this job as a “full” paint correction if trying to do it with the spoiler still on.
A final rinse before LSP
WS6 wing back on
Thank You for viewing! If you have any question please feel free!
Kindly, Brian