bureau13

Yeah, I'm finally getting my car re-sprayed. It's not a concourse and I'm not paying for a concourse job, but I'm tired of apologizing for it everywhere I go. I do need to remove a few things, partly to save money but mostly because I want to make sure it's done right (e.g. I don't want someone removing the mirrors by clipping the harness, etc...not saying they would...but they might).

The rear spoiler has my baffled. Actually...I think the center piece seems pretty straightforward...I haven't done it yet, but if I pull the interior hatch trim, I gather I will see screws, which when removed will allow me to pull off the spoiler (yes, wiper obviously has to come off too). The "wing" sections, to either side, are what have me confused. From some threads here, it looks like there are mounting tabs that they screw (?) to, but it's not clear to me how to access the screws. I don't need to remove the tabs themselves do I? I swear I've seen pics with no spoiler wings but tabs still in place.

Also, yes, I'm terrified of what I might find under these things...

Eplebnista

For the side sections there are screws in plain view you can see when the hatch is open and two screws that go into tabs mounted on the body. One is near the front of side section and the other is more or less in the middle. Removal is easy, just pry up the rubber where the back of the spoiler meets the body and unscrew. Replacing the middle screw is a bitch unless you figure out a way to pry up on the rubber to access the screw while holding the spoiler down so the screw holes line up. I ended up making a tool with a hook that I used to pull the rubber up while using the top of the spoiler as a fulcrum. That allowed me to access the screw holes while actually holding the spoiler down to the holes aligned.

mikeb7

The workshop manual makes it very clear where the two hidden screws are on the corner pieces with good pictures.
Doesn't make it any easier fighting the rubber to get them out, much less back in, though.

Tape over/protect that fresh paint in way of them when reinstalling!

Like to see a pic of your lift-and-push tool, Otto!

bureau13

The screws visible when opening the hatch are obvious, it's those hidden ones that I'm not so sure about. I guess I was afraid to pry on the wrong thing, etc. Good call on protecting the new paint, and I'd too like to see that tool...