DIY: Make your own Euro Trim
Tools, Products, and Preparations:
Tools:
1. Flathead screwdriver (too remove trim from bumper)
2. Scissors (to cut fiberglass mat)
3. Paint Brush you can afford to ruin = $0.50
Products:
1. Assorted Sandpaper (80, 180, 320/400) = $4
2. Bondo Body Filler = $12
3. Bondo-Hair Body Filler = $12
4. Bondo brand fiberglass repair kit w/ mat = $10
5. Primer = $2.50
6. Bumper Paint (Dupli-Color or SEM) = $5
Prep:
1. Respirator or well ventalated are - (Fiberglass resin fumes = Bad)
2. Nitril Gloves (10 Pack) = $1
Total Cost = 47.00
Estimated Time = 5hrs or 2.5hrs per bumper
Step 1:
Remove Plastic Trim and brace it with a table vice to something similar.
Step 2:
Clean back of the trim and scuff with 180 grit sandpaper around the inside of the marker hole.
Step 3:
Cut 2 Pieces of fiberglass mat from the repair kit. Make them slightly bigger than the side marker hole then mix the fiberglass resin according the directions and paint some fiberglass resin around the hole.
Step 4:
Place the fiberglass mat on top of the side marker hole over the area you just painted with the resin. Using the same paint brush start applying thin layers and saturate the mat with fiberglass resin. Once the first mat is thoroughly saturated apply the 2nd piece of mat and repeat.
Step 5:
Once the fiberglass has finished setting up, use some 80 grit sand paper to scuff up the area around the marker hole on the outside of the trim.
Step 6:
Mix up the Bondo-Hair accroding the directions and apply it to the outside marker hole.
Step 7:
Using some 80 grit sandpaper, start working the high spots off the Bondo-Hair once it starts to get 75% finished setting up. (Should be slightly soft) - * I recommend using DA sander, it will but sanding time in more than half * BTW. If you wait until the Bondo-Hair is 100% finished setting up then it will be hell to sand.
Step 8:
Finish the Bondo-Hair area with some 180 grit sandpaper by hand. Be sure to lightly sand in vertical and horizontal directions to match the curvature of the trim. Use your hands and your eyes to determine when you have it just right.
Step 9:
Mix up regular Bondo body filler and apply in a thin but long layer over the area where we just sanded down the Bondo-Hair. This is used to fill in any imperfections in the Bondo-Hair and also to help feather the area out around the lines of the outside marker hole.
Step 10:
Use 80 grit sandpaper to sand off the high spots and 180 grit to work it down smooth. Don't knock off too much Bondo to where you can see the lines of the marker hole because then you sanded it down too much. I lightly used 180 grit with my DA sander. Once you are satisfied with the shape of the area use 400 grit sandpaper and very lightly sand the entire area to give it a very smooth finish.
Step 11:
Wash the trim with soap & water, dry, and then apply a coat of primer. Once the primer is dry (20 mins) then wet sand with 320-400 grit sandpaper. The picture below shows one after wet sanding (left) and one that has just been primered. (right)
Step 12:
Paint using Dupli Color Black Bumper Paint (or SEM Bumper Paint). Spray 2-3 light coats of paint giving it 30 mins dry time each coat. This stuff drys pretty fast but be sure that you first coat is dry before applying a second one.
The first picture is my rear bumper trim and the second picture is my front driver's side trim.
Fin
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