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Repairing 99-spec OEM side skirts - fill in cracks - who's done it?

Old 07-22-17, 07:42 PM
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Repairing 99-spec OEM side skirts - fill in cracks - who's done it?

Have a set of 99 spec side skirts I recently purchased. For those of you who have never had a set in your hand, they're far different from any side skirt you've probably ever touched.

Best way to describe these is like a soft pool noodle, they're super flexible and the whole piece (all 4 pieces) are a dense polyurethane material.

The set I have has cracks that go into the foam/poly, which means that any paint that gets applied is going to do the same - crack.

Has anyone actually repaired/filled their 99 sides and if so, do you have examples or suggestions?

Pics to come when my I get them from the shop.

Thanks
Old 07-27-17, 07:06 AM
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Also interested.
Old 07-27-17, 07:10 AM
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Also this thread discuss the same issue but no conclusion was reached as I can see

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generati...estion-877745/
Old 07-27-17, 09:24 AM
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I have 99 side skirts on my car and IMHO they are a pain in the ***. I think they're nice when they're fresh from the factory and in an OEM color, but after they've been removed from a car and needing paint you're hosed.

Long term I'd like to go to a different side skirt, I don't like the weight of them and it's so hard to get paint to stick nicely to them.

That said they would have to be filled with something similar to what they are made of, some sort of soft and flexible filler. Bondo or something like that won't work.

You'd have to find a sharp body shop to answer that question.

Dale
Old 07-27-17, 11:48 AM
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Originally Posted by DaleClark
I have 99 side skirts on my car and IMHO they are a pain in the ***. I think they're nice when they're fresh from the factory and in an OEM color, but after they've been removed from a car and needing paint you're hosed.

Long term I'd like to go to a different side skirt, I don't like the weight of them and it's so hard to get paint to stick nicely to them.

That said they would have to be filled with something similar to what they are made of, some sort of soft and flexible filler. Bondo or something like that won't work.

You'd have to find a sharp body shop to answer that question.

Dale
This is my conclusion - you need a body guy that is familiar with it and wants to put in the labor. I'll likely end up with some replica 99 sides, because I like the look.
Old 07-27-17, 11:52 AM
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I remember this subject coming up on a UK forum a while back. Can't remember the conversation exactly but from but IIRC there was a mention of a flexible epoxy based bondo that had been used with great success, normal body filler doesn't work great with these skirts.
Old 07-27-17, 12:21 PM
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I did it , and it's painful !! Lots of works , specially if it's already painted.
Old 07-27-17, 12:28 PM
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Get some Feed and be done with it
Old 07-27-17, 01:03 PM
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Originally Posted by 7_rocket
Get some Feed and be done with it
Sigh. Prefer the OEM stuff.
Old 07-27-17, 01:45 PM
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Well I did Bondo them , and it work no bad for me.

I made the mistake to try to re-position few mm up and they cracked almost instantly .

I was thinking of putting 3M protector on top of them (Mr.Clark gave me the idea)

I simply haven't done it yet , by it will probably help on top of the paint .

+ they are heavy , indeed .
Old 07-27-17, 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by dhahlen
Sigh. Prefer the OEM stuff.

Listen to me. I'm an expert
Old 07-27-17, 10:42 PM
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Originally Posted by 7_rocket
Listen to me. I'm an expert
Yessir. A bullshit expert!@
Old 07-27-17, 11:30 PM
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Originally Posted by dhahlen
Yessir. A bullshit expert!@
Level expert talking here

Those skirts suck *****

Last edited by 7_rocket; 07-27-17 at 11:43 PM.
Old 07-28-17, 12:25 AM
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BC

Authentic OEM show cracks. What's the issue?
Old 07-28-17, 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Redbul
Authentic OEM show cracks. What's the issue?
mediocrity
Old 07-28-17, 12:58 AM
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BC Wrap it up?

Would wrapping work?
Old 07-28-17, 01:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Redbul
Would wrapping work?
Not for my application. Entire car is in for paint.
Old 07-28-17, 01:01 AM
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Mediocracy for now, until science catches up?
Old 07-28-17, 01:04 AM
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Originally Posted by Redbul
Mediocracy for now, until science catches up?
- I'm sure it can be fixed, but it's going to take someone who is familiar with the pool noodle design. No clue how long it will last if I paint them, could be a month, could be a year.
Old 07-28-17, 01:13 AM
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BC Plasti-dip?

Some sort of rubberized spray? What is the material Mazda uses to coat the bottom sections of their side panels to prevent chips?
Old 07-28-17, 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by dhahlen
- I'm sure it can be fixed, but it's going to take someone who is familiar with the pool noodle design. No clue how long it will last if I paint them, could be a month, could be a year.
Just go feed. Hmm k
Old 07-28-17, 04:25 PM
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Damn, are these really such a pain in the ***?
Are there some available replicas that can be used?
Old 07-28-17, 04:27 PM
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Shine has replicas, they're redoing their mold and are a few weeks out


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