Hello Folks ..
I picked up a used bumper last week on Ebay ..
They are few and far between ..And I was lucky to be able to avoid shipping by picking it up myself.
I paid too much cause it came with grills and centre grid.
On closer inspection there was some damage to the centre grid (some of the hexagons are cracked but still lock into position
Not to worry ...
Its a project that presents some design and decision making ...A perfect opportunity for me to learn something new ..
All the parts that came with it.
Damage to spoiler...Scuffed and twisted. A Heat Gun worked wonders on any bits out of shape.
To fill a hole or buy the rediculously priced BMW Plastic Bit ? The Body Shop will provide the final answer.
1. Repair or replace ?
I can replace the centre grid or I can fabricate some expanded metal (sold as a replacement grid from a tuner shop) and repair it.
Im leaning towards replacement seeing as the grid is subject to much abuse. Maybe put the expanded metal behind it to protect the radiator.
The Grills are chrome with black. The trim shows some pitting, but I still have the stock chrome with dark gray and the all black ones that Im running now.
Lots of choice there but right now Im leaning towards using the original chrome trim with the black grills.
I need the dreaded reflectors, washer covers and tow hook cover.
This is the most troublesome because I would like to fill in all of those openings.
Ill get an estimate from the body shop first to see if the body work is off the wall on price.
The reflectors present a significant hole and maybe I should just buy the damn things and get them painted ..
Decisions Decisions ..
I have a parts list for all the regular bits required and luckily my friendly neighbour is the Parts Manager at the local Nissan Dealership ...
So he can get me a price advantage there ...
Plus I visited my Ol High school to call in on the Welding Teacher there. He is fabricating some abrasion plates to put under the front spoiler.
He calls them Pedestrian Slicers !
I have extended them about 3/4 of an inch. I might paint them or I also have some 3M Di Noc that I could wrap them to look like carbon fibre
Aluminum, Stainless or mild steel ? ..No problem ? Actually its the same materials that I got from a local fabricator when I was teaching there.
I made the template and the kids cut them to demonstrate Plasma Cutting. A Win Win ....
Im in no hurry to complete this mod ... Full factory warranty till mid May ..
I don't want any hassles during my last service under warranty.
Stay tuned
Cheers
Bumpy
I picked up a used bumper last week on Ebay ..
They are few and far between ..And I was lucky to be able to avoid shipping by picking it up myself.
I paid too much cause it came with grills and centre grid.
On closer inspection there was some damage to the centre grid (some of the hexagons are cracked but still lock into position
Not to worry ...
Its a project that presents some design and decision making ...A perfect opportunity for me to learn something new ..
All the parts that came with it.
Damage to spoiler...Scuffed and twisted. A Heat Gun worked wonders on any bits out of shape.
To fill a hole or buy the rediculously priced BMW Plastic Bit ? The Body Shop will provide the final answer.
1. Repair or replace ?
I can replace the centre grid or I can fabricate some expanded metal (sold as a replacement grid from a tuner shop) and repair it.
Im leaning towards replacement seeing as the grid is subject to much abuse. Maybe put the expanded metal behind it to protect the radiator.
The Grills are chrome with black. The trim shows some pitting, but I still have the stock chrome with dark gray and the all black ones that Im running now.
Lots of choice there but right now Im leaning towards using the original chrome trim with the black grills.
I need the dreaded reflectors, washer covers and tow hook cover.
This is the most troublesome because I would like to fill in all of those openings.
Ill get an estimate from the body shop first to see if the body work is off the wall on price.
The reflectors present a significant hole and maybe I should just buy the damn things and get them painted ..
Decisions Decisions ..
I have a parts list for all the regular bits required and luckily my friendly neighbour is the Parts Manager at the local Nissan Dealership ...
So he can get me a price advantage there ...
Plus I visited my Ol High school to call in on the Welding Teacher there. He is fabricating some abrasion plates to put under the front spoiler.
He calls them Pedestrian Slicers !
I have extended them about 3/4 of an inch. I might paint them or I also have some 3M Di Noc that I could wrap them to look like carbon fibre
Aluminum, Stainless or mild steel ? ..No problem ? Actually its the same materials that I got from a local fabricator when I was teaching there.
I made the template and the kids cut them to demonstrate Plasma Cutting. A Win Win ....
Im in no hurry to complete this mod ... Full factory warranty till mid May ..
I don't want any hassles during my last service under warranty.
Stay tuned
Cheers
Bumpy
