Fix Crack on stock 2g front bumper

[slospyder]

Hi, just wondering if theres any way to fix a small crack on a stock 2g front bumper??

 

[Raph]

hhm..dont know..doubt it..get a replica OEM style for like 140$

i should have done that..it would have been way cheaper than repainting (and prepping) mine..which had to be repainted 3 times because of cracking :thumbdown big waste o money :thumbdown

if i had gotten a new OEM style one $140,+ paint= total of about 250 and i would have had a new bumper..

 

[slospyder]

oh man.... i wish i would have known this earlier.... thanks for the info though...


anybody have any suggestions to fix a crack in a stock 2g bumper??

 

[badboyr66]

mmhere are some trick from my streebike days.

JB weld, sounds crappy but it workes better than you think! Can be sanded and painted.

Some paint shops sell plastic repair kits. They work well.

But the first thing you should do is stop the crack. Where ever it stops on the end that could crack or rip more. You wanna drill a small hole. This will make area more controled and stop the crak from going any further. Then repair it Again this all depends on how big the crack is

 

[BlueTalon95]

You can fix the crack with epoxy, if you're going to repaint it.

 

[karbon]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99912
Pretty thorough guide on how a complete newbie did a great job repairing his front bumper. I imagine the same techniques can be applied.

 

[Defiant]

But the first thing you should do is stop the crack. Where ever it stops on the end that could crack or rip more. You wanna drill a small hole. This will make area more controled and stop the crak from going any further.

This is why girls have bellybuttons.

 

[DSMhelex]

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=99912
Pretty thorough guide on how a complete newbie did a great job repairing his front bumper. I imagine the same techniques can be applied.

hey! who you callin newbie????

haha j/k

 

[igopoopy]

where can you get a replica bumper

 

[BlueTalon95]

This is why girls have bellybuttons.

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

 

[karbon]

Newbie to fiberglassing anyway
Could be worse...I'm a fiberglass wanna-be.

 

[slospyder]

wow dsmhelix... you did an awesome job on your bumper!

the crack on my bumper is only like 2 inches long at the most... so i guess ill just go get some fiberglass resin from the autoparts store and patch that thing up.......... thanks for the help.... !

 

[DSMhelex]

sure thing, if you have any questions at all, go ahead and pm me. good luck

 

[mc_holla]

Ok. I have a horizontal crack, about a foot long n looks to be spreading, in the side of my front bumper cover and am looking for a way to repair this as cheaply as possible. I have been warned against using many epoxys and hardeners because of the fact that most of them do not have alot of flexibility once they set and could make matters worst. What would you guys recommend and anyone got any direct experience?

I have a aftermarket bumper cover (black plastic) on my 98 eclipse that was put on not too long ago. Also, does anyone know what kind of plastic this material is exactly?

Thanks

 

[Flash]

Last year I replaced my old front bumper. It had a crack in it and my body shop guy told me he can try to fix it, but in 6 months or so the paint will crack again because the crack will keep coming back. So I went to the dealership (I didn't go cheap hehe) and bought a new OEM front bumper. $500 later the new bumper was painted. I love OEM, and since it's not a fake, I have a sticker on the back of the bumper that states its a real OEM front bumper. I think that made it so much more worth the money.

 

[mc_holla]

I figured that probably would be the smartest permanent fix but I was looking for a cheap alternative to use for the moment. 6 months is actually a long time if you can do it yourself.

Anymore suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I did come across some stuff from 3M:

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/en001/auto_marine_aero/automotive_aftermarket/node_JSPNXHDFFBgs/root_GST1T4S9TCgv/vroot_GSLPLPKL4Xge/bgel_7V91QLRJ7Fbl/gvel_6DTWTJQPBBgl/theme_us_aad_3_0/command_AbcPageHandler/output_html

What do you think?

 

[VelocitàPaola]

1. Fiberglass the back to give structure to the bumper.
2. Sand around the cracked area with 300 grit sandpaper then use plastic body filler (Bondo) on the front to smooth the surface.
3. Sand the filler down to the contour of the bumper.
4. Repeat step 3. a few hundred times (start with about 300 grit and work your way down to 800)
5. Apply a second layer of Bondo if necessary (it will be necessary).
6. Sand the whole thing again.
7. Fill in small pin holes, air bubbles, etc. with glazing putty and a spreader or putty knife.
8. Wet sand the area with 800 and 1000 grit sand paper.
9. Spray primer on the area (a rattle can is fine) and wet sand again.
10. Get it painted. Make sure whoever you go to adds the proper flex agents so the paint doesn't crack - You can even use that OEM aerosol stuff you get online if you're on a real tight budget. For that, make sure you apply several coats, and order the clear coat too. I've seen decent results with this, but it's still slightly noticeable.

I'd say it'll cost you no more than $50 in parts + however much you choose to spend on paint. When your done, you'll wonder why you're not doing body work for a living.

This was a real quick overview, but the procedure works, I've done it many times before. All the things you need can be bought at Discount or Autozone, although a body repair supply store would be cheaper. Also, an electric or pneumatic sander comes in real handy. PM me with questions about specifics.

 

[mc_holla]

Will this fix be flexible enough to work with that euathane used for these aftermarket bumpers?

 

[Scrymerr]

-Dont fiberglass it unless you love men.
-Do not use bondo or any other standard body filler on the bumper.
-Should you decide to take the incorrect route, it should not take more than one or two applications.
-When using bondo, depending on the size of the repair area, start with 40 or 80 grit, and finish with nothing finer than 180 grit (which is not even necessary).
-after filling in pinholes, again, sand your filler with nothing finer than 180, and don't get it wet.
-clean any repair areas before spraying anything, and when spraying over plastics, adhesion promoter is not a bad idea to ensure adhesion
-when wetsanding primer, anywhere between 320-500 is fine. Anything more coarse than 320 and scratches will show through, anything finer than 500 will work, but it is pointless and will only deter adhesion of topcoat.
-flex agents really aren't a necessity, especially for a small repair area.

Now that the problems listed in rule #3 have been corrected, on to how to repair a cracked urethane bumper.




Stock bumper cover is a PUR type urethane, and if you go to a automotive paint store you can buy products by duramix or sem for flexible urethane. Clean the area very well with soap and water and then you can use a special plastics cleaner or i think alcohol is very similar (not sure though). Then grind a V groove down in along crack from the back side, as well as sand the area about 2cm on either side of the crack. I would recommend using a mini grinder with some 24 36 or 50 grit, something like that. Then position the bumper how you want it however possible(masking tape, zipties and stands, wire) and then apply a hefty amount of glue all along the repair area. Then put a strip of window screen, or the fiber drywall tape or some special screen like fabric that can be found at the auto paint store. after applying the the screen, push it down really well in the glue, and put more glue over the top if necessary.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

-Should you decide to take the incorrect route

I disagree. I have extensive professional experience in this field, and this is an industry standard method unless complete bumper replacement is warranted.

 

[Scrymerr]

I disagree. I have extensive professional experience in this field, and this is an industry standard method unless complete bumper replacement is warranted.

No, you are wrong, and the repair method you suggested is absolutely incorrect and I do not recommend anyone try it. Thank you.

 

[VelocitàPaola]

No, you are wrong, and the repair method you suggested is absolutely incorrect and I do not recommend anyone try it. Thank you.

I maintain my position. After many years working for different body shops, this is how bumper covers are repaired in each of the shops I've worked in.

Now no thread hi-jacking, If you want to further discuss the pros and cons, PM me.