stopping cracks from spreading

[Misundaztood]

So apparently there's isn't an appearance section anymore. Here's my problem. I recently took my aftermarket Terminator-style wing that everyone bitched so much about back in the day (some of you may remember) off. There are now four penny-sized holes on the middle of the hatch lid. They have these little cracks running off of them that I'm afraid are going to spread...not to mention I'd like to fill them up so when it rains It doesn't soak the trunk area. I have some duck tape there now. I was going to have them filled & painted over however because I don't have any kind of hookup & the estimant I got was $675 to smooth it over including filling the holes. So I'm thinking I'll patch them up ghetto-style & put the little stock spoiler on to hide them. But the cracks are getting longer. What would you all suggest I do to stop that. Is it possible? Or am I at the mercy of a shop? Seems like something that wouldn't be that difficult. Suggestions?

And yes I am aware I deserve every bit of this for putting an aftermarket spoiler/wing on it.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

No hate brother man. I say frigg it. If they're going to crack then let them crack, it's only paint. In the mean while, save up enough and bite the bullet to get a shop to fix those holes. 675 sounds about right since there is a lot involving filling those little holes. I.E., sanding down, welding shut, bondo/filling, primer, prep, and paint.

 

[Misundaztood]

So there's no way to cheaply stop them from spreadig all over the car? No cheap jb weld or bondojob I coud do myself? Remember it doesn't have to be pretty because once the low 2g spoiler is re-mounted it'll mostly cover up the holes.

 

[92awddsm]

For $675, you could either get a stock replacement hatch or put that $ towards a cf hatch. Now that the stress of the wing is removed, the cracks should not spread any more. If they do continue to spread, the only cure is to either weld them up or just drill a small hole at the end of the cracks and fill it. For the estimate you got, I would be looking for a replacement hatch.

 

[Defiant]

Now that the stress of the wing is removed, the cracks should not spread any more. If they do continue to spread, the only cure is to either weld them up or just drill a small hole at the end of the cracks and fill it.

That's called stop-drilling. It interrupts the path of the stress-riser which is propogating the crack.
It's also why girls have belly buttons.

 

[Misundaztood]

For $675, you could either get a stock replacement hatch or put that $ towards a cf hatch. Now that the stress of the wing is removed, the cracks should not spread any more. If they do continue to spread, the only cure is to either weld them up or just drill a small hole at the end of the cracks and fill it. For the estimate you got, I would be looking for a replacement hatch.

I'm pretty slow about shit like this so bear with me. How exactly do I "weld them up"? They're holes with cracks streaming out of them not in the paint but the body it's self. even though I don't know exactly how to weld it sounds better than drilling.

Remember this is't the stock holes we're dealing with. Those were professionally filled & painted over by a hookup I no longer have years ago. It's five (they must have miss-judged) little penny-size holes right in the middle from one of those F&F-style bench wings. Defiant knows what I'm talking about. He remembers I'm sure.

 

[FORMONTOYA]

That's called stop-drilling. It interrupts the path of the stress-riser which is propogating the crack.
It's also why girls have belly buttons.

You just made my day....thanks, I needed a good laugh!

 

[crazy_skier]

it is on your hatch correct??? if so, I would just look for a crashed dsm with the same color hatch as you or else purchase a carbon hatch. The last resort would be to hand sand the cracks and rattle can them if you want to do a ghetto job

 

[Misundaztood]

Already took care of he cracking. Just jb-welded it. Now I plan to sand 'em down a little then rattle can. It will look ghetto but buying a hatch, even one the same color, would be a good penny on it's own & I'm sure the local shops would charge over a $1,000 just to switch them out. Remember I have no hook-up & because in small towns Eclipses are thought of as $90,000 cars so I get the shaft.

I don't care how ####ing ghetto it looks it's better than having a wing that causes everyone to hemorage.