Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Front Spoiler repair and new block-off plates

kach22i · 01-14-2013, 02:04 PM

See the link in my signature below for the history of my "lawn edge" front spoiler.

It's been on 3-1/2 years and I really should have replaced it in the fall because the plastic was cracking at the top and bottom seems. It's not from me hitting anything, it's from the plastic aging, plus cars/trucks backing into it while I'm parked on the street.

I tried "water resistant" Gaffer's tape as a temporary repair, wasted half a large roll only to find it invited more idiots backing into it, and a heavy rain proving that resistant does not equal water proof. I power washed off what was left after only a few days.

I went to Lowe's and found some 3M waterproof gutter tape for about $9.00 a roll, I used two rolls on a warm January day and spent another hour on installation.

I used left over lawn edge material and black silicone to block off some opening in the lower front valance.

I still need to test drive this new treatment, I back sealed a lot of joints which should work to my advantage..

I need to put air in my tires too, now that I look at the photos.

I hope this spoiler patch gets me to spring time. Then I'll try some heavy duty conveyor belt material from Tractor Supply. I will not be able to attach that material to the light weight plastic factory valance, and I think it would look ugly to do all the way up to the underside of the metal bumper.

I have a few months to think about, suggestions are welcomed.

S10 4x4 Pick Up Photos by kach22i | Photobucket

The latest scrapes on my bumper are from a a large extra cab pick up truck, a dirty contractor truck which tried to back into a parking spot but gave up. I saw them pulling away when I was about 75 feet away, they left dirt all over my front bumper, not to mention taking some paint off my truck.

The world is full of jerks.

My truck is all Disco now, wondering if I can paint over the aluminum tape?

01-14-2013, 02:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
kach22i Master EcoModder Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 4,158 Thanks: 120 Thanked 2,790 Times in 1,959 Posts	Front Spoiler repair and new block-off plates See the link in my signature below for the history of my "lawn edge" front spoiler. It's been on 3-1/2 years and I really should have replaced it in the fall because the plastic was cracking at the top and bottom seems. It's not from me hitting anything, it's from the plastic aging, plus cars/trucks backing into it while I'm parked on the street. I tried "water resistant" Gaffer's tape as a temporary repair, wasted half a large roll only to find it invited more idiots backing into it, and a heavy rain proving that resistant does not equal water proof. I power washed off what was left after only a few days. I went to Lowe's and found some 3M waterproof gutter tape for about $9.00 a roll, I used two rolls on a warm January day and spent another hour on installation. I used left over lawn edge material and black silicone to block off some opening in the lower front valance. I still need to test drive this new treatment, I back sealed a lot of joints which should work to my advantage.. I need to put air in my tires too, now that I look at the photos. I hope this spoiler patch gets me to spring time. Then I'll try some heavy duty conveyor belt material from Tractor Supply. I will not be able to attach that material to the light weight plastic factory valance, and I think it would look ugly to do all the way up to the underside of the metal bumper. I have a few months to think about, suggestions are welcomed. S10 4x4 Pick Up Photos by kach22i \| Photobucket The latest scrapes on my bumper are from a a large extra cab pick up truck, a dirty contractor truck which tried to back into a parking spot but gave up. I saw them pulling away when I was about 75 feet away, they left dirt all over my front bumper, not to mention taking some paint off my truck. The world is full of jerks. My truck is all Disco now, wondering if I can paint over the aluminum tape? __________________ George Architect, Artist and Designer of Objects 1977 Porsche 911s Targa 1998 Chevy S-10 Pick-Up truck 1989 Scat II HP Hovercraft Chin Spoiler: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-t...effective.html Rear Spoiler Pick Up Truck http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-t...xperiment.html Roof Wing http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...1-a-19525.html Last edited by kach22i; 01-14-2013 at 02:10 PM..