So this is my first time posting on the forums. I've learned a lot from you all so far, thanks for that. I've had my 98 GS for almost a year now, but I've JUST started really trying to make it my own. I removed the Rear Spoiler and also the Power Antenna (not seen in this earlier picture). I've used regular Bondo and some Fiberglass Mesh to fill the holes, also I've used the Bondo Brand Metal Mesh (don't know if anyone knows what I'm talking about) on the inside of the holes to keep the Bondo from cracking later on. Does anyone else have any useful tips? When everything's smooth as can be, I'm just gonna' shoot it with a few coats of primer until I find my way to a painter. Thanks a lot.

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I know it's ugly too.. Haha.

some people have had problems with the bondo shrinking as it dries and causing waves, cracks, or ripples in the finished product.
also if you accidently set somthing on it wrong you risk crackign right through the holes.

others have had no problems with the bondo / fiberglass solution
just make sure you do a bunch of thin skims when building up the bondo and make sure to sand everything that will touch the bondo so it will adhere properly


i welded mine :thumbsup (yes those are 16-Penny nails, and they work perfect!)

Is welding it something an amateur might be able to do? I see you removed the rear wiper too, it looks really good. I might just have to copy that from you. Could you give me any sort of detailed instructions? Thanks a lot.

how much is that costing you total about?

I've been doing the Bondo and Fiberglass work myself. I would like to start all over and Weld it also but I have no prior experience with Welding or Grinding so I might just check out a local body shop or something. If I DO take that route then I'll let you know what an estimate might be on the work.

I originally bondo/fiberglassed the holes in mine at first, but over time the ones in the hatch cracked because the hatch flexes when it opens up. So I broke them all out and welded them because I was worried that they would break after I had it painted. At first I didnt know how to weld, but I bought a cheap mig welding unit and practiced on scrap metal until I was ready to do it on the car.
-Todd

Pic of spoiler holes welded up

That's probably what I'll do. I found a cheap welder for $99 at Home Depot.

oh yeah.. hmm but having to repaint the whole car though just for a spoiler? lots of mooolahh

I've been planning to Re-Paint the car anyways, it has a nice sized dent on the passender door and the Rear Bumper is really discolored compared to the rest of the car. Plus I plan on ordering a Stillen front bumper. So it's not really just for the sake of removing the spoiler.

oh yeah then its worth it.. i was thinking if i did it.. i would just do the spoiler.. too much lol

for this one you might want to find someone that knows what they are doing. The 99 dollar welder at home depot is a stick or arc welder. they produce alot of heat. Welding the holes closed WILL warp the metal.

When i did mine, I used a mig welder on a low heat range. I basically just tacked and re tacked the the nails in place allowing them to cool.

Im not saying this job cant be done with a stick welder, just use EXTREME caution. You want to keep the warping to a minimum, less warping=less bondo.

Good luck!

tom

You don't want to fill the holes. Do what I did, put the stock spoiler on and then put the GSX whale fin on top of that. Totally gets chicks.