Fitting fiberglass bumpers/fenders, DIY or call in a pro?

[scottmandue]

The front bummper on my Miata is dinged up.

Factory replacemnt $600

Junkyard replacement $300

Fiberglass aftermarket $150

Yeah, I know, fiberglass= one little boo boo and shatter city... but at the cost savings I could buy two fiberglass noses.

What is the level of difficulty in fitting a fiberglass bumper? DIY or run away?

The car is dark blue so I figure I will just spray the fender flat black and call it a day.

Thanks

[widebody911]

The big question is how good the fit is right out of the box. Some fiberglass parts are made very well, and some are utter junk.

[porsche4life]

Matt black?! Have you gone full on rice tard on us Scott?

[scottmandue]

Yeah, I'm searching the Miata forms trying to find something that fits out of the box.

So far from my research I know duraflex is a bad product, leaning toward one of the VIS racing sports bumpers, have you ever seen or heard of their product?

I'm pretty good with a drill and a dremel but don't want to get in over my head.

Thanks again,

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Matt black?! Have you gone full on rice tard on us Scott?

Well, I have to save money for the fart can exhaust and dual 15" woofer install!

But seriously, I don't have $600-$800 to pay a body-shop to do a pro paint job right now, the car is dark blue so a black bumper won't stand out that much.

At some later date when I get a few dings fixed I can have a pro spray the nose when it is in the shop.

[froggert]

why not get a junkyard one in the correct color?

[john70t]

I'd suppose you could grind slight relief cuts on the backside, to help the piece flex at spots.
Then rebond over the cuts.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by froggert

why not get a junkyard one in the correct color?

Good suggestion. If you go with a fiberglass part, at least invest in some spray paint in the correct color. There are several places online as well as some paint shops and auto parts stores that will mix factory color paint in spray cans. It won't be great, but will be way better than matte black ricer style. Though with that said, I paid a whopping $150 to have my 911 rear deck lid painted at a really good body shop, so it's definitely not $600-800.

[Zeke]

FG does not shatter, it rips and tears. However, you WILL lose any soft impact resistance that you currently have. The FG bumpers on my Carrera caused more injury to my wife than if the car had stock bumpers on it.

Caused more damage to the body as well. Maybe I built them too tough. I did minor repair to the rear bumper and sold the pair to Richard in Atlanta. Meanwhile, the body shop had to straighten out the rear quarter and some structure below and inside the tail light.

I don't recommend FG for the street. Do what froggert suggests.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by froggert

why not get a junkyard one in the correct color?

Car has custom blue repaint, and mind you a junkyard bumper will be oxidised and need paint anyway.

The question isn't about color (surely some of you have driven around for a month or two with a primered fender or car body part)... it is about ease (or lack thereof) of fitting a fiberglass bumper.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I think the feedback that you are getting is that the new bumper might be worse than the old one.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I don't recommend FG for the street. Do what froggert suggests.

I spent the weekend searching the usual suspects (local junkyards) for Miata parts... apparently Miatas are not popular with "auto recyclers".

[john70t]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

I spent the weekend searching the usual suspects (local junkyards) for Miata parts... apparently Miatas are not popular with "auto recyclers".

Tinfoil alert: Mazda is buying up all the essentials.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Car has custom blue repaint, and mind you a junkyard bumper will be oxidised and need paint anyway.

The question isn't about color (surely some of you have driven around for a month or two with a primered fender or car body part)... it is about ease (or lack thereof) of fitting a fiberglass bumper.

OK, then reread Thom's post. That's the gospel. Unless you are getting a TRE type of quality, you may be cutting and glassin'.

I was in the FG business in the late 60's. I left all my parts in the molds overnight. I turned my molds once every 24 hours. I don't think they do that so much these days and the parts are warped and deformed. You can't see it out of the box.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Well, I have to save money for the fart can exhaust and dual 15" woofer install!

But seriously, I don't have $600-$800 to pay a body-shop to do a pro paint job right now, the car is dark blue so a black bumper won't stand out that much.

At some later date when I get a few dings fixed I can have a pro spray the nose when it is in the shop.

If you really can't afford it and care little enough that you're willing to settle with matte black...

Why don't you get a glass bumper that doesn't totally suck, fit it, go to a local autoparts store with your paintcode, they'll make up the color in a custom rattle can (these come in single or multiple step applications) and if you want to get really nutz...watch a couple YouTube "how-tos" on wet sanding an polishing.

You'll have a professional result for under $200 and a case of beer.

[Zeke]

Time to paint the whole car with matte black.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by john70t

Tinfoil alert: Mazda is buying up all the essentials.

I don't know what the deal is... we have (or had) dozens if not hundreds of junkyards here in SoCal... back in the day I could go out Saturday morning and by the afternoon have whatever part I needed.. weird.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

If you really can't afford it and care little enough that you're willing to settle with matte black...

Or I could buy a car bra and everyone would think I'm so cool protecting my car from paint chips

[scottmandue]

Yeah, you guys are right,who would want to seen is a car painted flat black?

[porsche4life]

But rattle can flat black is ghetto Scott.