thatoneguy5x

before any1 points me to the sticky at the top of the boards ive read it and found some helpful info but I wanted to know what you guys thought would be the easiest way to repair this or would be better to find a used one.
on the front gfx its pretty much torn all the way up but it lines up pretty well still.


so there is that, and on the bumper cover the PO decided to put some very very ugly fog lights I guess you would call them in a horrible spot hacked up the whole cover and didn't even make straight cuts. I cant wait to get rid of them!!! whats the procedure for missing pieces of bumper?

Mirror Image

iTrader: (2)

the area that is cracked is not a problem you can sand the the cracked area with 80 grit sand paper then cut you a v grove were the crack is on both sides and use a bumper repair to fix that but the holes you would need some rubber patch panels and do the same as the crack area

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

The gfx will crack when it flexes again.Best fix is to replace, but i have fixed cracked/broken bike fairings & minor cracks on the gfx by drilling small holes on each side of the crack, along the length.Then reinforce it w/ small gauge wire.Stitch it tight & counter sink the wire so it's flush.Then apply some bumper repair compound.

The bumper is more work than it's worrth.

thatoneguy5x

ill have to do some HW I guess. seeing what would cost more. pulling a used bumper and gfx from the junk yard or materials/time to repair something that might not last very long

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

A combination of the two previous suggestions is best.
Use the urethane repair compound (I like the SEM Plastic Problem Solver) as described by making a v channel and filing and fairing.
On the back side, sand a good rough texture, maybe making small cuts or holes for additional anchoring, then apply the repair compound in a larger area than the repair, then apply metal reinforcement to the wet compound. The above poster uses wire, but better is metal reinforcing mesh. Press the mesh on so the compound squeezes through the mesh and spread more on top.
This repair will still flex and be stronger than the original urethane.

Mirror Image

iTrader: (2)

I agree the wire mesh would work great for that and I beleave it comes in the kit

86B4Z

Heat gun on crack to "melt" the split back together. Then just sand/filler/prime/paint.

You can either use plastic on backside of holes w/a good epoxy or clean up holes & "plug" holes w/cutouts. Either way you cant go wrong.

redneckjoe

check craiglist. theres always people parting these cars out.

thatoneguy5x

ive checked but most of them are in worse condition than mine.

lots of good suggestions here, ive watched a bunch of youtube videos and I can say I feel pretty comfortable trying this myself. never done any body work before we'll see how it turns out. i might have to put it off for a bit tho. just got a giant crack in my windshield the other day cant catch a break

Ron U.S.M.C.

Can't catch a break is an understatement with some of these cars. I don't think I've had one in the last 8 years.
Anyway I say find the pieces at a wrecking yard if you can. At the very least the Bumper Cover. IMO it needs to be replaced because if there are any imperfections in the holes they will show up like a sore thumb if you decide to get a nice paint job.
If you can't find a cover I would go ahead and patch the holes as best as you can and then have the guy that's going to do the paint either fix it professionally or replace the cover entirely when the time comes.

stealtht/a

iTrader: (1)

Anything you get at the wrecking yard is going to have something that needs to be fixed., you might as well keep the one you know if it's only a couple of tears. The wrecking yard item might have previous repairs that are hidden or missing broken mounting tabs you can't see until it's pulled.
I don't know why some of you are making this a big deal, it's a very easy repair that is durable and invisible. Don't be scared, you can do it.

thatoneguy5x

so I decided that eventually im gonna find replacements, I can live with it for now but just for kicks im gonna try to do some repairs with stuff I have in the garage. I tried to melt it back together like 86B4Z suggested and it didn't work haha but it did a good job taking the paint off. quick and easy . for now I stuck some metal tape I had laying around on the back side just to hold it together. super glue held for a drive. I had some plastic weld laying around somewhere just cant seem to locate it. what do you guys think of JB weld on a bumper??

redneckjoe

i've had luck before using that 2 part plastic weld. it's pretty tuff stuff.

Mirror Image

iTrader: (2)

Replacing it with a new one is the way to go and I think the bumper is made out of PUR or TPO and you shouldnt melt them and I wouldnt put much faith in JB weld but I havent ever use it for that I would use something that is flexible and is made for rubber parts

thatoneguy5x

yea it didn't really melt it kinda glazed over wiped right off. not doing that again. im just looking for something temporary at the moment. im sure the proper stuff to fix this would cost more than used ones.

6SIX6

iTrader: (35)

Ive seem body shops plastic weld them together before and man are they tough after that. I got a 91 - 92 gfx piece im gonna take to one and get it done as its split on both sides. If i did nt have to ship the spolier Id send you the one I have here

redneckjoe

when i first got my car, the chin spoiler was cracked like yours, and it also had a bad crack all the way up to the headlight bucket. this is the stuff i used. its amazingly strong for $7.oo. IIRC, i even sanded the front flush after repairing it? it held up to an ocasional curb bump. it might be smart to cut and add a small patch/backing plate to the back side for added strength?
eventually i replaced the body parts.

give it a shot, i think you'll be surprised.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=417325_0_0_

KBD85

so "thatoneguy" you have inspired me to put together a little process on how to do this. It is very possible. And can be way stronger than it totaly was in the first place.

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/body...ml#post5714222

Mirror Image

iTrader: (2)

Yeah I see your using the 3M 8115 that is what I use also and it will hold up only drawback to it is you have to have the gun

KBD85

yes your totaly right, and i forgot to put that in the little write up. that stupid thing is expensive. and you need it for the finish cream also. good catch!! maybe ill edit that in my write up.

thatoneguy5x

haha great write up im gonna put it to good use now that I found my plastic weld! im not expecting results like yours but im gonna give it a shot! ill post pics when I get it done.

KBD85

Well, I hope it helps. Good luck man!!