Fiberglass Bumper repair/fitment #2 - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

AngryPanda · 01-31-2009, 02:44 PM

This is a how to on making a cheap (ebay) bumper fit.
The work was done a a Matrix with a bumper purchased from ebay.
Before

The bumper had several issues.
1. The edges where the bumper meets the fender did not line up poperly
2. The bumper was made to wide for the car.
3. Area around the headlamp were uneven with huge gaps
4. the area around the grill was uneven with huge gaps
5. The finished surface of the part look like a ocean (waves)

Tape up the adjacent areas of the bumper to body to protect the paint, I used 4-5 layers of masking tape. If you are not used to doing this type of work it is advised to make the tape lines higher.
Apply some wax to the tape and all areas that will need to be filled. This will make the filler release easily from the car.
Put the bumper on close to factory fitment as possible. Secure it in place using bolts. You will be sanding on the bumper so make it sturdy as possible. At this point make necessary cuts, and breaks to make the bumper fit.
After the bumper is on the car sand all of the gelcoat down to the fiberglass in the areas that needs to be filled. Go about 3-4 inches past the immediate area of the filler. Use 40 grit or lower sandpaper

For gaps bigger then 1/8 of an inch use course fiberglass filler such as tiger hair of kitty hair.
For areas less then 1/8 use a high grade reinforced fine filler such as fibertech.
First squeeze the kitty hair in to the big gaps. Try to get it flush to the adjoining surface as possible. Let this dry about 2-3 mins and while the kitty hair is still soft rough shape with 40 grit sand paper.

After the kitty hair has dried use the reinforced filler to fill in the small gaps.
Let it dry untill tacky and sand to shape flush with the car.
After all outer surfaces are done remove the bumper.
It will be stuck to the car and will need some muscle to get it off.

after the bumper is off the car sand down the remaining filler to shape.
Repeat above process until you are happy with the fit.

If you have cracks from flexing the bumper or making major adjustments to it shape, look at my other post to see how to repair the broken areas.
http://zilvia.net/f/premium-members/...er-repair.html
Last step is to apply plastic filler over the entire area and sand to shape.
Using some sanding block work the entire bumper starting at 40grit up to 150 grit

Remount everything back on the car for final fitment before primering
Optional make some braces to support the ends of the bumper

and done

Some more pictures

***CrimsonRockett*** · 02-01-2009, 08:37 AM

Sweet.

This is perfect for everybody running aftermarket bumpers with crappy fitment.

Get them bishes to look good!

Brian · 02-01-2009, 11:47 AM

And this is exactly why the "cheap" ebay bumpers end up costing the stupid customer an arm and a leg in the end.
All the money they "saved" ends up going to the body shop for the hours spent on fixing the shit product.

***CrimsonRockett*** · 02-01-2009, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

And this is exactly why the "cheap" ebay bumpers end up costing the stupid customer an arm and a leg in the end.
All the money they "saved" ends up going to the body shop for the hours spent on fixing the shit product.

True.

I would have expected better fitment on Origin stuff though.(not that this bumper is origin)

It seems like they're almost spot on with 180sx stuff, but on my friends Z33, it fit like crap and was SUPER wavy.

Don't know what's up with that.

LongGrain · 02-01-2009, 12:08 PM

ive never had a problem with origin, i have an origin bumper that was broken into 6 pieces. i ziptied/duct taped it back together and it STILL fits better than a lot of the cheaper stuff ive seen.

my origin fenders fit like OEM.

01-31-2009, 02:44 PM	#1
AngryPanda Leaky Injector Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Anaheim Age: 45 Posts: 79 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Fiberglass Bumper repair/fitment #2 This is a how to on making a cheap (ebay) bumper fit. The work was done a a Matrix with a bumper purchased from ebay. Before The bumper had several issues. 1. The edges where the bumper meets the fender did not line up poperly 2. The bumper was made to wide for the car. 3. Area around the headlamp were uneven with huge gaps 4. the area around the grill was uneven with huge gaps 5. The finished surface of the part look like a ocean (waves) Tape up the adjacent areas of the bumper to body to protect the paint, I used 4-5 layers of masking tape. If you are not used to doing this type of work it is advised to make the tape lines higher. Apply some wax to the tape and all areas that will need to be filled. This will make the filler release easily from the car. Put the bumper on close to factory fitment as possible. Secure it in place using bolts. You will be sanding on the bumper so make it sturdy as possible. At this point make necessary cuts, and breaks to make the bumper fit. After the bumper is on the car sand all of the gelcoat down to the fiberglass in the areas that needs to be filled. Go about 3-4 inches past the immediate area of the filler. Use 40 grit or lower sandpaper For gaps bigger then 1/8 of an inch use course fiberglass filler such as tiger hair of kitty hair. For areas less then 1/8 use a high grade reinforced fine filler such as fibertech. First squeeze the kitty hair in to the big gaps. Try to get it flush to the adjoining surface as possible. Let this dry about 2-3 mins and while the kitty hair is still soft rough shape with 40 grit sand paper. After the kitty hair has dried use the reinforced filler to fill in the small gaps. Let it dry untill tacky and sand to shape flush with the car. After all outer surfaces are done remove the bumper. It will be stuck to the car and will need some muscle to get it off. after the bumper is off the car sand down the remaining filler to shape. Repeat above process until you are happy with the fit. If you have cracks from flexing the bumper or making major adjustments to it shape, look at my other post to see how to repair the broken areas. http://zilvia.net/f/premium-members/...er-repair.html Last step is to apply plastic filler over the entire area and sand to shape. Using some sanding block work the entire bumper starting at 40grit up to 150 grit Remount everything back on the car for final fitment before primering Optional make some braces to support the ends of the bumper and done Some more pictures __________________ We do "Awesome" Last edited by AngryPanda; 02-01-2009 at 12:58 PM..

02-01-2009, 11:47 AM	#3
Brian Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: usa Posts: 12,840 Trader Rating: (54) Rides Gallery: Brian Feedback Score: 54 reviews	And this is exactly why the "cheap" ebay bumpers end up costing the stupid customer an arm and a leg in the end. All the money they "saved" ends up going to the body shop for the hours spent on fixing the shit product. __________________ http://bhworld.wordpress.com/

02-01-2009, 12:08 PM	#5
LongGrain Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Midwest Posts: 2,741 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	ive never had a problem with origin, i have an origin bumper that was broken into 6 pieces. i ziptied/duct taped it back together and it STILL fits better than a lot of the cheaper stuff ive seen. my origin fenders fit like OEM.