Removing an add on spoiler

[greenjp]

New to me 2020 Civic Sport Touring has what seems to be an extra "duckbill" type piece added onto the stock middle spoiler.

From what I gather these are generic sort of things such as this and this from Amazon, attached with double sided tape. There are no visible fasteners on my car so assume the same. I'd like to remove it. Any tips on how to pry this silly thing off without damaging the stock part (which costs an absurd ~$450)? Thinking maybe use a hair dryer and a combo of dental floss, plastic interior trim tools, and then if I get the thing off successfully some Goof Off or similar adhesive remover. Thoughts?

jeff

 

[AZjeff]

Too late to have the dealer remove it?

 

[dishdude]

Let it sit in the sun for a few hours, then it should peel right off.

 

[vavavroom]

Let it sit in the sun for a few hours, then it should peel right off.

Once a corner of the spoiler comes off a bit the whole thing can be peeled off. OEM paint should not come off the car with the spoiler.

 

[atikovi]

Nylon glass removal cord.

 

[JoelB]

Do not leverage the spoiler at all to peel it off. This is a common mistake people make when removing emblems. As you life on one side the other side can dig into the paint. When you actually remove the whole thing you should pull it straight away from the paint.

Otherwise heat, fishing line and patience are your friend.

 

[Kira]

As you life on one side the other side can dig into the paint.

So, this is why the "twist method" is used for emblems?

 

[zzyzzx]

New to me 2020 Civic Sport Touring has what seems to be an extra "duckbill" type piece added onto the stock middle spoiler.

To me that would be a deal breaker when looking for a used vehicle.

 

[Kira]

I Googled-up some pictures and can't locate the duck bill part.
Is it the high spoiler along the rear windshield's upper edge?
What is a "middle spoiler"?

 

[930.engineering]

Let it sit in the sun for a few hours, then it should peel right off.

This. Then use dental silk, peel the rest with your fingers and use some polish.
.

 

[DriveHard]

Heat, braided fishing line, then a good hour soaking with GooGone Orange pro gel.

 

[greenjp]

I Googled-up some pictures and can't locate the duck bill part.
Is it the high spoiler along the rear windshield's upper edge?
What is a "middle spoiler"?

The hatchback has that upper spoiler at the top of the glass, then another at the back where the hatch angles downwards. They call that the middle spoiler.

Anywhoo I'm going to start with some dental floss (which I've used successfully on dealer emblems) and see if I can make any progress.

 

[greenjp]

Alright so dental floss wasn't up to the task but some plastic picture hanging wire was. Took it off without too much effort. It had been adhered with several pieces of ~1/2 wide tape. After washing off the trapped dirt, I started by just rubbing the thickest pieces off with my fingers. Got a lot off that way then used a combo of car washing soap, a sponge, a Magic Eraser, and fingernails to get maybe 97% of it off. Didn't want to work it too hard.

The stock spoiler is some sort of high gloss plastic so I'm trying to figure out what method/products would be best for getting the last of the adhesive and polishing it to a more even appearance. Have seen recommendations for something called Polywatch (for watch faces), Novus plastic polish. Curious if anyone has ideas for this exterior, plastic, piano black item.

Here's the before pictures I'll get an after tomorrow:

 

[greenjp]

And here it is without the extra piece, plus a close up of one of the spots where there's some finish issues from the adhesive.

View attachment 228783

 

[greenjp]

 

[meep]

I’d be happy with that effort!