Dolomite spoiler repair

[cleverusername]

I have a used spolier and the captive nuts at either end went walkabout long ago, with that area damaged on either end. Now I assumed it was made of GPR, so I could glass repair the end. However after grinding a feathered edge to let in the repair, it seems to made of some kind of black plastic. So the question is, will my fiber glass patch actually adhere to this stuff?

The next question is mounting, my car has club GPR wings and front valance. Are they going to strong enough to attach the spoiler to or should I add some extra mounting points to the inner metal structure?

[dollyman]

Try using this stuff, it is brilliant, and sticks like........https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SUGRU-MOULDA ... Njl9cTyXGw

Tony.

[new to this]

You could fit rivet nuts in the valance,just drill a hole in the valance and then just pop the rivet nuts in

Dave

[BobM]

You will have difficulty gluing the original Dolomite spoiler to the valance. I believe it is moulded in polypropylene
which is the one plastic that resists almost all adhesives.

I repaired mine years ago by soldering a brass 5mm nut to the end of a piece of brass strip. The end of the strip
was then fed in through the quite large hole left by the missing threaded insert. Then temporarily positioned in the
hole with a penny washer and 5mm screw. The strip can then be secured to the inside face of the spoiler with 2 pop
rivets. The strip is now positioned against the inner face and the brass nut will provide a more durable fitting than
the original.

If you have any doubt about the glass fibre valance then penny washers over a rubber washer should be fine. For a
belt braces method thicken the edge with an extra layer of glass matting and resin.

Hope this helps.

BobM

46 years 1850 Dolomite owner

[Carledo]

I have the club GRP wings and front panel on the Carledo along with a Sprint spoiler. It was fitted with standard nuts and bolts with the addition of some penny washers. It's been on since early 2013 and shows no sign of damage or breakaway.

BTW, the end mounts don't attach to the wings, but to the extreme corner of the valance.

Steve

[cleverusername]

I have the club GRP wings and front panel on the Carledo along with a Sprint spoiler. It was fitted with standard nuts and bolts with the addition of some penny washers. It's been on since early 2013 and shows no sign of damage or breakaway.

BTW, the end mounts don't attach to the wings, but to the extreme corner of the valance.

Steve

My GPR repair seems to be holding, I ground back a large area to give it a decent area to stick to.

My worry with GPR valance is the loading. The spoiler is designed to pull the car down, so there must a considerable downwards load being transmitted from it into the valence at speed. However if yours has held up, the GPR panels must strong enough to take it.

[marshman]

Both of the inserts or what ever in the end of my spoiler were missing when I got the car, the ends were literally flapping about in the breeze. There was just a 3/8" hole at the each end where the original fixing was. Couldn't think of a quick easy way of getting a fixing in so I drilled a 1/4" hole inboard of the 3/8" hole, taped up the original hole. Mixed up approx 150ml of fibre glass resin and poured it in the new hole, then stood the spoiler on end to let the resin run down and cover the old hole. Basically making the whole end of the spoiler solid resin. Once hard I did the other end. I then drilled a 3.5mm pilot hole into the resin where the original fixing was. Then refitted the spoiler with an appropriate sized self tapper with a penny washer under its head. Seems to hold quite well. If it does fail I still have plenty of "meat" in the resin for a "plan B".

I don't think the force on the spoiler can be that great. When I got the car mine was held on with only 4 of the original screws and they are not particularly robust. I did several trips at quite high speeds before I realised how loose it all was.

Roger

[oily66]

I used these wall anchors.
https://www.diy.com/departments/rawlplu ... LYEALw_wcB
You need a setting tool but most electricians/plumbers will have one or just improvise.
As others have stated a penny washer comes in handy also.

[James467]

I would plastic weld the end holes, re-drill them then fit rivnuts.

[cliftyhanger]

I used these wall anchors.
https://www.diy.com/departments/rawlplu ... LYEALw_wcB
You need a setting tool but most electricians/plumbers will have one or just improvise.
As others have stated a penny washer comes in handy also.

You don't need a setting tool, but it would be quicker. You just tighten the screw up, it will splay the fixing inside the spoiler.
Toolstation/screwfix will sell these for rather less than B+Q
I would say these are very good fixings, but do grease them well if you want to ever undo them....

[oily66]

The picture was for reference as to an alternative type, I hold stock of various fixings like these. These are readily available in most hardware type suppliers, make the choice yourself as to what fits your budget.
I have used these type as the rivnuts were too small in diameter for the hole. These stretch much further and grip really well. As with any coated steel it’s prone to corrosion so a good dousing goes without saying, especially as it’s right in the firing line.
The various types of glues are a good alternative but I had these around.