Is there a proper way to remove the stock rear lip spoiler? Without digging into the hatch paint. I'm buying the Nismo wing soon, and that's going to need to come off..

or is it..? Which leads to question #2...

Nismo has a second wing listed in their catalog...one for no OEM spoiler, and one that says for use with OEM spoiler? Has anyone bought this before? Any pics of what it looks like with the spoiler still on there?

 

Was just looking the FSM, looks like you get to it from the inside of the hatch...should just be a matter of pulling back the interior.

Still...any pics of the wing + spoiler?

 

Use 30 test lb. fishing line.

 

^ NO! Don't do that; I tried it and it's just a b!tch. Left marks to buff out as well, plus you can't pull it all the way through.

First, you are correct in that the hatch trim needs to come out to remove two bolts (or nuts?). Then, get a stiff plastic putty knife, rest it on a microfiber cloth to ride against the paint, then work the edge of it under the spoiler at one end about a quarter inch (just enough to cut the double sided tape) and work your way around. Worked great for me once I figured it out. Once the tape is cut, it's still a b!tch to pull off b/c it'll still be stuck some and it's still held on by two snap clips (the other two holes it leaves), so pull HARD. THEN you have to deal with the mess of getting off all the residual 3M tape adhesive. Goo Gone takes forever and makes a freaking mess. If you can find one, there are these rubber-like wheels (kind of like eraser material) that attach to a drill and it strips the old adhesive right off without leaving a mark on the paint. THEN, you'll probably STILL have some marks in the paint just from when the OEM spoiler was installed. Use some Scratch Out (yellow bottle $2 at Wal-Mart) to polish it up and take off any little bit of adhesive residue left over. You're now ready to install the Nismo wing, which is a whole other project that involves careful placement and drilling more holes in the hatch.

To answer you second question, there were two USDM Nismo wing designs; the first had a narrower base that did not cover all the holes left by the OEM lip spoiler, the second generation has a wider base that does. So, it doesn't mean you use it WITH the OEM spoiler; it means it's for use on cars that had the OEM spoiler prior; that's the one you want.

 

Ohhh, ok that makes sense. Don't know why I was thinking with OEM spoiler still on...duh


I'll keep all that in mind when I do take it off, thanks

 

Used the 30lb fishing line for mine. Didn't leave any marks. Pulled through it like cheese. Just use gloves. I'd be more worried putting a putty knife to the paint, plastic or not.

 

^knife never touches the paint. Main problem with fishing line is that you can only pull it through from each end about 8 in or so until it hits the pop-in pegs that help secure the spoiler. That's not enough to get it off; you need to break the tape between them as well. Actually, it's prob best to use the line on the ends so you can lift the edge a bit to get the knife started, then it's quick work; just run it against the underside of the spoiler and ride it on a soft cloth against the car.