DIY- Shaving Side Markers!!

[ctrench]

So i got bored and wanted a small project for the car... turns out that it is not a small project and a major pain in the ass. I do not recommend this if you have good paint, a custom paint color, or care about your paint at all. Mine turned out "so-so", but if i would of redone it with more body filler it would of turned out perfect. (every pic i take, my rims look like they are orange, idk why!!)


Step 1= Take out side markers.


Step 2= Smash the lens off the side markers so that you still have the base.


Step 3= Screw the side marker base back in.


Step 4= Apply "Great Stuff" to the hole where the sidemarker is. And allow to dry.


Step 5= Cut off excess "Great Stuff", so its flat.


Step 6= Mix body filler and hardener and apply over the hardened foam. And let filler dry


Step 7= Block sand the filler down so you have an even surface.


Step 8= Reapply body filler and let dry.


Step 9= Block sand until surface is completely even without divets/bumps.


Step 10= Paint over the body filler, i didnt use the factory white!!! ](*,)

Step 11= Enjoy your finished project!!

[jnshk]

When something presses against the bumper cover and causes deflection, won't this crack the body filler and paint? Or is the form of the bumper around the sidemarker openings rigid enough to prevent localized flexing?

[ctrench]

i think its strong enough to deflect most of the force to other areas of the bumper, but im not sure yet... i will find out when i start driving her around.

[MartyMcfly]

Thats the 100% totally wrong way to do that.

You need to find out what type of plastic the bumper is made of, order a sheet of that plastic from McMaster or use another scrap bumper and plastic weld the filler piece in. Then you can do minor filler work with a very small (less than 1/16" thick) layer of Duraglas and then use icing to make it perfect.

The expanding foam is going to absorb water and cause the bondo to pop or the contraction of the bondo over time will cause it to crack and eventually fall out.


http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...postcount=3698

and

http://www.motoringunderground.com/f...postcount=3706

[OOOOOMG]

clever but not sure if it will hold up

[ctrench]

"great stuff" doesnt absorb water... and im on a college budget, and not a professional body technician... so for me its the best i can do for the circumstances. if it doesnt work, then i wasted like $5, no big deal

[MartyMcfly]

Good luck with that.

Just because you're on a college budget, doesn't mean it has to be hacked to death. A soldering iron and a $10 sheet of plastic might really break the budget.

[ctrench]

if you dont like the way i did mods to MY car, then dont comment because its MY car.

[morr]

ctrench, props on taking the project on by yourself. Try not to get so defensive towards others, they are just offering their advice from experience to help you out.