My FMIC Grill Build

[xtturbo]

Hey Guys,

Thought I'd chuck up some photos from my FMIC grill build. I'm doing the same thing as Chris in the UK, and before you accuse me of being a copy cat I had the idea for the look before seeing his He just inspired me!!!

Its a bit of a pain in the ass of a job, and I recommend getting a second grill to do it on unless you're a professional.

Rather than fiberglassing like Chris did, I used a plastic filler/glue combination known as Q-Bond. Its serious stuff and works wonderfully.

Stages 1 and 2; Q-Bond and Removal of excess plastic




If anyone is wondering, this is the process I am using:
1 QBOND
1) Clean and Dry
2) Roughen Areas to be filled
3) Cut filling sections from spare plastic
4) Apply powder to area to be filled, drip Q Bond on
5) Place filling section on top, apply additional powder and Q bond

2 GRINDING
1) Grind excess plastic away
2) Create small valleys in areas requiring bumper fill

3 BUMPER FILL
1) Clean with soapy water
2) Roughen areas to be filled – 40-80 grit
3) Wipe with paint thinner and allow to dry
4) While drying, test hardner to filler ratios
5) Mix filler as appropriate, and apply to surface
6) Leave 2 hours to dry, check before proceeding
7) Sand with progressively finer grades till right

4 PREPERATION FOR PRIMER
1) Sand surface with 180 grit sandpaper
2) Wipe with paint thinner and allow to dry

5 PAINT WITH PRIMER
1) Apply 3 coats to surface, allowing 10 minutes in between coats
2) Spray a light guide coat on of another colour
3) Allow to dry for three hours
4) Sand with 800 paper till all of the guide coat has been removed
5) Reprime if necessary

6 PAINT WITH TOP COAT
1) Apply 5 coats to surface, allowing 10 minutes between coats
2) Allow to dry overnight

7 CUT AND POLISH
3) Sand with 1200 paper
4) Cut with cutting compound
5) Polish with polishing compound


And these are the required items:
1) Q-Bond Kit
2) Plastic Bumper Filler
3) Spray On Bumper Prime
4) Acrylic Gloss Black
5) P50 Sand Paper
6) P180 Sand Paper
7) P800 Sand Paper
P1200 Sand Paper
9) Cutting Compound
10) Polishing Compound
11) Polishing Rag
12) Appropriately Sized Sand Paper Block

I'll post more photos when i've done some more

[Petrina Polo]

I might do the same with mine but paint it black to suit my car.

Problem is theres no turning back once you attack the grill.. Im still 50/50 about doing it.

[DeanB]

Get a second grill Petrina. Either from one of the guys on here who have gone mesh or one of the online places.

[xtturbo]

In Primer

Here it is in primer There are a few small blemishes but these should disappear when sanded with 800 ready for the top coat

[Kiel_GTI]

nice work. even at that stage looks awesome. looking forward to finished product, sounds like its going to be top shelf

[xtturbo]

nice work. even at that stage looks awesome. looking forward to finished product, sounds like its going to be top shelf

Fingers crossed

was just playing around with the gloss black i've got... it looks sensational... now all i have to do is put an crapload of effort into getting the last sand down right and she'll look great

[noone]

damn i am so envious if your patience.

Great work mate, for a job that could have looked average up close it looks like it was meant to be.

[mikepologti]

bloody awsome man,............now all ive gotta do is get forge to pull there finger out.

[Whubbsie]

I wonder if this technique will work for filling holes in a bumper.....

looks great mate you going to do anything with the side ones?

Finally got my honeycomb ones to fit properly.

[xtturbo]

I wonder if this technique will work for filling holes in a bumper.....

looks great mate you going to do anything with the side ones?

Finally got my honeycomb ones to fit properly.

Yup you can fill holes no worries. Those instructions will work for any plastic repairs (with metal u'd substitute QBond for fiberglass or lead wiping if you're skilled!)

The hard part would be getting the paint matched to the rest of the bumper, but everything is possible!! How big are the holes?

One of the side ones I've gotta cut for the FMIC, the left one I havent done anything with yet!


I just chucked on the first layer of top coat, there was a few minor hickups but it doesnt look like its caused any problems, phew!

I'll post photos later tonight

Cheers again dude! Take a pic of the holes and ill tell u what the go is.

[xtturbo]

Got a couple of runs, but no biggie

This is where i praise the lord that I'm using acrylic, let it dry over night, and cut it back with p1200 sand paper.

After that, one final coat and it will be done

I've managed to get the lines pretty damn awesome, the light reflects beautifully! The hard part is putting the paint on wet enough so that it dries glossy, without running... not an easy task lol!

[xtturbo]

D'oh!

Its that damned glossy I cant take a good photo of it! Its gonna take a while to cure anyway... I put the paint on ridiculously thick and want to give it two weeks to cure nicely before wet rubbing the runs off... Looks ace though and will put photos up when all done

[xtturbo]

And here is the finished product!!

Thanks again to Whubbsie and MikePoloGti who organised all the parts for me

[noone]

Looks tough! Good work...

How much for your services?

[Whubbsie]

looks top mate great work.