Paint Chip on Rear Compartment Deck Lid at Rear Spoiler (Repair Paint/Add Tape)

Some customers may comment that there is a chip in the paint on the rear compartment deck or trunk lid at the outboard end of the rear spoiler. The paint chip may be at either or both ends of the spoiler and is usually no larger in size than a pencil eraser.

In warm to hot ambient temperatures, the rear spoiler will absorb heat and expand at a different rate than the deck lid sheet metal. When this occurs, the outboard bottom side end of the rear spoiler may come in hard contact with the deck lid sheet metal. This hard contact may result in the deck lid paint becoming chipped.

Remove the rear spoiler from the deck lid and apply 3M® #6397 double-coated (sided) foam tape, or equivalent, to the bottom side edge of the rear spoiler, using the following service procedure. Repair the paint chip following the repair/refinish information in the appropriate Service Manual and GM Refinish Material Booklet #4901M-D-99 (English) or #4901M-D-F99 (French).

Important: The foam tape used must have a thickness of 1.8 mm (.060 in). Using foam tape with less thickness may result in the paint chip condition re-occurring and thicker foam tapes may not have an acceptable appearance to the customer.

Important: The rear spoiler, double-coated foam tape and work area must be above 20° C (70° F).

1. Open the deck lid and remove the six 10 mm hex head nuts that secure the rear spoiler.
2. Remove the rear spoiler from the vehicle and place it bottom side up on a clean and covered work surface.



3. Remove any CLEAR insulating tape from the bottom side raised outer edge of the spoiler.
4. Remove any adhesive residue, grease or dirt from the bottom side outer edge.

Important: Trim several lengths of the foam tape to a width of 6.35 mm (¼ in) before applying to the spoiler in the next step. It may be necessary to cut the tape when applying it around the outboard corners.

5. Apply one layer of the double-coated foam tape to the bottom side of the spoiler INBOARD of the raised outer edge at the six locations shown with light shading (1).

Important: Do NOT apply the foam tape on the raised outer edge. Also, do NOT apply the foam tape around the entire spoiler bottom. Only apply the foam tape where shown.

6. Apply two layers of foam tape (one layer on top of the other) only at the two outboard end locations shown with dark shading (2). Before applying the second layer of foam tape, remove the backing material from the first layer at the outboard end locations.




Important: The above is a side view of the right outboard end of the rear spoiler (3). It shows the single layer of foam tape (1) as well as the second layer of foam tape (2). Left side view of rear spoiler opposite.

Important: Before installing the rear spoiler in the next step, complete all paint repairs to the deck lid. The paint should be thoroughly baked.

7. Remove the backing material from all the foam tape.
8. Carefully align the six mounting studs on the rear spoiler with the holes in the deck lid.
9. Apply light to medium downward pressure to bond the foam tape on the rear spoiler to the deck lid.
10. Install the two 10 mm hex head nuts on the two center mounting studs.

Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 6 N·m (53 lb in).

11. Install a hex head nut on the mounting stud at the slotted hole location.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 6 N·m (53 lb in).

12. Install the three remaining hex head nuts on the remaining mounting studs.

Tighten
Tighten the nuts to 6 N·m (53 lb in).

13. Close the deck lid.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: