Trimming Front Bumper Cover for FMIC - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

derass · 10-25-2014, 02:36 PM

I will be installing an FMIC and was just wondering what cutting tool/method offers the best results when trimming the stock (urethane?) front bumper cover. Any other advice in regards to this task would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

g2ic02 · 10-25-2014, 04:03 PM

Tape off a strait line and use an air saw/or reciprocating saw. You can use a cut off wheel but it tends to melt the plastic more.

derass · 10-25-2014, 05:15 PM

Good advice! Especially about taping off a line. An air saw seems like the better choice, as it is smaller and would better fit into the small spaces of the bumper.

I noticed the melting of plastic a few days ago when I used a Dremel cut-off wheel to make a hole in the A-Pillar trim for gauge wiring. I was able to clean up the hole by hand and with a file.

ehhhregartless · 10-25-2014, 09:53 PM

Or you can use a box cutter/razor

rellik27 · 10-25-2014, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehhhregartless

Or you can use a box cutter/razor

This is what I used too. it went smooth.

eek · 10-26-2014, 02:35 AM

$10 harbor freight air saw, fast, smooth, and easy. Takes less than 10 min. I've tried using razor blades, even tried a steak knife its no where near as easy than using a air saw.

97nismo · 10-26-2014, 07:55 AM

I used blue tape for a straight line then used a jigsaw with the metal cutting blade teeth are closer together...then a dremel around the corners with a cutting wheel.

blkvrtswp · 10-26-2014, 09:27 AM

+1 for utility knife razor blade. Did around 20 of them like that. The other ideas sound good too especially if you have a freshly painted bumper.

derass · 10-26-2014, 05:28 PM

Thanks guys! I would have never considered a utility knife as an option. I assume you need to make a couple of passes to get through the material?

Ratpack_Chad · 10-26-2014, 12:02 PM

I used a razor blade/ box knife it went fairly smooth.

blkvrtswp · 10-26-2014, 07:26 PM

Use a trapezoid blade, stick it in the urethane and rock it back and forth until all the way thru. Then grip the utility knife with both hands and pull slowly towards you. Don't let it slip and slice yourself! Once it starts cutting it will cut clean thru in one pass. The trick is keeping it straight / on your guide lines.

slowvia · 10-26-2014, 07:35 PM

I used one of these, cut through the bumper with relative ease. I did cut myself, but ironically enough, it was actually the bumper that cut me, not the knife. After I cut off what was needed for clearance, I went back with a small file to smooth out any jagged edges. Probably could have been done quicker with an air saw, but I'm plenty happy with the results.
http://www.amazon.com/Snap-on-Offici.../dp/B004QO9FPC

10-25-2014, 02:36 PM	#1
derass Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, ON Age: 37 Posts: 1,182 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Trimming Front Bumper Cover for FMIC I will be installing an FMIC and was just wondering what cutting tool/method offers the best results when trimming the stock (urethane?) front bumper cover. Any other advice in regards to this task would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

10-25-2014, 09:53 PM	#4
ehhhregartless Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: nepa Age: 41 Posts: 2,775 Trader Rating: (13) Feedback Score: 13 reviews	Or you can use a box cutter/razor __________________ www.zeedakay.com IG: @zeedakay

10-26-2014, 02:35 AM	#6
eek Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: California Age: 44 Posts: 1,025 Trader Rating: (29) Feedback Score: 29 reviews	$10 harbor freight air saw, fast, smooth, and easy. Takes less than 10 min. I've tried using razor blades, even tried a steak knife its no where near as easy than using a air saw. Last edited by eek; 10-27-2014 at 01:36 AM..

10-26-2014, 07:55 AM	#7
97nismo Nissanaholic! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Asheville Posts: 2,133 Trader Rating: (53) Feedback Score: 53 reviews	I used blue tape for a straight line then used a jigsaw with the metal cutting blade teeth are closer together...then a dremel around the corners with a cutting wheel. __________________ Feedback: http://zilvia.net/f/itrader.php?u=78978

10-25-2014, 04:03 PM	#2
g2ic02 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: minnesota Posts: 480 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Tape off a strait line and use an air saw/or reciprocating saw. You can use a cut off wheel but it tends to melt the plastic more.

10-25-2014, 05:15 PM	#3
derass Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, ON Age: 37 Posts: 1,182 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Good advice! Especially about taping off a line. An air saw seems like the better choice, as it is smaller and would better fit into the small spaces of the bumper. I noticed the melting of plastic a few days ago when I used a Dremel cut-off wheel to make a hole in the A-Pillar trim for gauge wiring. I was able to clean up the hole by hand and with a file.

10-26-2014, 09:27 AM	#8
blkvrtswp Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NY Posts: 692 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	+1 for utility knife razor blade. Did around 20 of them like that. The other ideas sound good too especially if you have a freshly painted bumper.

10-26-2014, 05:28 PM	#9
derass Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto, ON Age: 37 Posts: 1,182 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks guys! I would have never considered a utility knife as an option. I assume you need to make a couple of passes to get through the material?

10-26-2014, 12:02 PM	#10
Ratpack_Chad Zilvia Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Jose, Ca Age: 36 Posts: 211 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	I used a razor blade/ box knife it went fairly smooth.

10-26-2014, 07:26 PM	#11
blkvrtswp Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: NY Posts: 692 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Use a trapezoid blade, stick it in the urethane and rock it back and forth until all the way thru. Then grip the utility knife with both hands and pull slowly towards you. Don't let it slip and slice yourself! Once it starts cutting it will cut clean thru in one pass. The trick is keeping it straight / on your guide lines.

10-26-2014, 07:35 PM	#12
slowvia Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: OR Posts: 381 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	I used one of these, cut through the bumper with relative ease. I did cut myself, but ironically enough, it was actually the bumper that cut me, not the knife. After I cut off what was needed for clearance, I went back with a small file to smooth out any jagged edges. Probably could have been done quicker with an air saw, but I'm plenty happy with the results. http://www.amazon.com/Snap-on-Offici.../dp/B004QO9FPC