Rear Wing removal on non brake light models.

[Golf Houso]

Hi there, just putting something out there... I'm just wondering why so few people in Australia never remove the rear wings from their Mk3's. I think they honestly look terrible in their natural chalky grey form. Has any one else on this forum removed theirs and for those who chose to keep theirs on why do you feel like that Just like to see some of the motivations of the Mk3 owners...

[runamuk]

Hi there, just putting something out there... I'm just wondering why so few people in Australia never remove the rear wings from their Mk3's. I think they honestly look terrible in their natural chalky grey form. Has any one else on this forum removed theirs and for those who chose to keep theirs on why do you feel like that Just like to see some of the motivations of the Mk3 owners...

Mine wasn't grey, I used forever black on it...

[MattyT]

Mines dark grey after liberal meguiars bumper stuff. Would prefer black tho.

[vwthunder]

Why dont we remove them ?


Dont you have to change to the CL rear glass, maybe that is the reason why

[KI11Z]

ive removed mine! mk3'z look soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better without 'em (imo) . . . . your just left with three small holes at the top of your window; a small price top pay for such an improvment . . .

[rayray086]

ive removed mine! mk3'z look soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better without 'em (imo) . . . . your just left with three small holes at the top of your window; a small price top pay for such an improvment . . .

That's the main thing - you're left with 3 holes that are used to hold the spoiler! And if you've got a pre-96 model with the texture-top bumpers, you will have the brake light built-in to the spoiler. Removing it won't let you pass rego I believe. But like you said, non-spoiler brake light models can have them removed, though it'll look much smoother if the holes were welded up. And since you're doing that, may as well shave the rear wiper and VW badge

[Tim]

i reckon removing them makes the car look bald. And yes they look terrible when they have faded. Get it repainted and it will look sweeeeet

[bboyskidz]

Why dont we remove them ?


Dont you have to change to the CL rear glass, maybe that is the reason why

nope you have to get a complete replacement glass or plug up the holes.
I have a CL and it has a rear wing...

it wouldn't be hard, there is only 3 holes and they are close to the edges - jsut fill em up with black silicone.

[Golf Houso]

Well... Its realy not that hard to be honest I just attacked mine and took it off its held down by alot of silicone and three screws. I used the original rubber washer seal things, used superglue to hold them against the glass and then used these three plugs I found on the floor of my garage! Luckyy find those, I tried silicone at first but it refused to stuck onto the small adhesive area of the window and was realy messy. I've checked the car after rain for moisture for the last 6 months and nothing at all, it works realy well.

KI11z is right on the money there, they look fantastic for such a small amount of work. And the best thing is... its cheap doesn't cost you a cent well maybe a few hundrend cents but thats all. Oh and If you've ever driven through a bucketing rainstorm with trucks stampeding behind and overtaking you, your gonna need a rear wiper. As good as it looks its realy neccesary for adequate road safety.

Check these out in the meantime:

[bboyskidz]

i never use my rear wiper... i'm thinking about removing the wiper, the badge and the wing and smoothing the plate recess... believe it or not, a rear wiper is not a requirement - just a convenience.

edit: yeah those pics have convinced me Golf Houso. I'm doing it this weekend. prepare for a tutorial in the DIY section coz it is going to be so so so hard to do - lol

[Golf Houso]

Hahahaha... It might be easy ripping the thing off, but cleaning the ridiculous amount of silicone off and finding an appropriate plug, will be the hardest thing. I had tape on my rear windows for about 2 weeks until I found those plugs.

Lets see if we can set a trend here...

[rayray086]

It looks clean! Though the brake light in the glass wrecks the look IMO.

As they say, "less is more"

[bsting]

VR6 with

without

I also have a complete 93 holefree glass hatch (no wing) I'm planning on smoothing the vw badge and wiper hole off, then paint it in my colour.

Do it!

[Golf Houso]

Hmmnn yes, yes... intriguing...

I think its a good look, the plugs are noticable 5% of the time to be honest and often only usualy to me . And as for the red reflector in the window, thats going to be dealt with next!

Bsting I look forward to seeing what your car will look like with the new glass and shaving, thats the proper way of doing things but unfortunately as we all probably know, money is the main problem and I'm pretty pleased with my result...

[bsting]

Yes, a bit of coin to weld new steel in and repaint etc... and i have a complete spare hatch to sell after
You could remove the wiper and spindle/motor and paint a plug for it the same colour and fit that too
The best place i've found for the black silicon for the 3 holes, is a windscreen fitter shop. Watch out it's messy sticky crap!

I've posted this pic here before, one from the UK, smoothed. No lock/handle and a popper installed to open it with small hidden LEDs for the plate lights.
Don't think i'll go this far!