How to Remove a Rear Spoiler

A rear spoiler on most production vehicles is just for show. The idea of a spoiler does have a real function, however. For high-performance vehicles that travel in excess of 100 mph, the spoiler provides down force as air moves over the top of the vehicle. This helps to keep the vehicle on the ground and not become airborne at high speeds due to air traveling under the vehicle, creating lift.

Things You'll Need

• Hair dryer Dental floss Socket wrench with socket set Soap Cleaning sponge

Instructions

1. See how your spoiler is attached. Some vehicles use adhesive to hold the spoiler in place. Other vehicles use bolts. Still others use a combination of both adhesive and bolts.

2. Loosen and remove the bolts, if your spoiler has them. These are typically located in the trunk on the underside of the trunk lid. Open the trunk to access them.

3. Heat the area around the spoiler on the top of the trunk lid if your spoiler is also held on with adhesive. Heat the area where the spoiler makes contact with the trunk lid. The goal is to heat the adhesive enough so that it becomes tacky. You may need to heat one area of the spoiler at a time.

4. Take a section of dental floss and slide it between the trunk lid and the spoiler. Move the floss back and forth to separate the spoiler from the trunk lid. Lift up on the lid gently as you are doing this to prevent the adhesive from curing the trunk lid to the spoiler again.

5. Pull the spoiler away from the trunk lid when you have sufficiently separated the two. Be sure that you have done a good job separating the trunk lid from the spoiler, or you may end up peeling the clear coat and paint off your vehicle.

6. Clean the trunk lid with soap and water to remove any remaining adhesive residue.