Wheel Spoilers - Which Material?

[Jim H]

78 Special Edition.

We are looking to replace the Wheel Spoilers in front of the wheels.

The aftermarket companies show them available in Plastic, Fiberglass, or Urethane.

I'm trying to decide which material I want.

Anyone with the Good/Bad of them?

I don't know if the ones on my car were original, so I am not sure of the original material. My guess is plastic.

The sales catalog shows fiberglass is good, plastic is better, and urethane is best.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Munkyslut]

Hi Jim, I’m pretty sure that the 70-78 Fender flares and front spoiler were made of hard-molded plastic, and the 79-81 flares were all urethane.

 

[Jim H]

Thanks that is what I was thinking.

I think plastic might be stiffer but less forgiving to road debris.

Urethane would be more flexible, but the paint may not last as long.

Crack or peel off even with adhesion promoters.

Any experience?

 

[Munkyslut]

My own experience with the urethane ones has been very positive.

Mine were painted probably over a decade ago, and I’ve never seen any flaking, stone chips, or cracking.

If you use an excellent elastomer in the paint, there shouldn’t be any issues.