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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Topic started by: craig4004 on 07 June 2011, 18:03

Title: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: craig4004 on 07 June 2011, 18:03

Right, i really wanted a smooth front bumper and really wanted something to do in my week off work, so i thought F**k it il give it a go! I have taken pictures stage by stage so if anyone else wanted to give it a go they could :) Bear in mind, i am a 100% bodywork novice, i was going by instructions over the phone from my mate who done his a while back. Iv seen it done using expanding foam, but i dont really trust the stuff so just stuck to good ol' Fibreglass Paste from Halfords (about £14 for a small tin, which done the whole bumper) Anyway here's how i did it!

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0200.jpg)

So take the rub strip off, just unclips, use a small screwdriver to prise it off.

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0205.jpg)

I glued some mesh behind the big holes, to add strength when using the Fibreglass paste, do this behind the bumper and on all the big holes.

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0201.jpg)

Then fill in with the Fibreglass paste, and mix in the hardener supplied, at a ratio of; Golf ball of Fibreglass paste- to a Pea of hardener. Fill the hole, dont worry about any over lap, sand that off after.

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0211.jpg)

Then when the fibreglass paste is dry, mix up some Upol filler, just your average 'Easy Sand Filler'. You could go with some Polyester filler which is a bit more flexible aparently, but iv seen it done with this and i had some in the garage! Do a very light skim over the top of the fibreglass paste, going from top to bottom in motion. Then sand with 120 grit paper until you get a fairly smooth finish. I used probably a bit too much filler in the picture, but you live and learn eh! Just meant more sanding  :grin:

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0213.jpg)

This is roughly what it should look like when sanded down. Now after this do another skim across the bumper this time, again do it lightly if possible. Then sand down again with 120 grit paper.

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0207.jpg)

At this point i decided to delete my headlight washers (some models dont have them anyway) But heres how to if you do! Cut out a bit of plastic, roughly 2-6mm thick, and cut it so it fits behind the hole like so. Then either plastic weld or use a glue gun in place. I glued from behind and from the front as you can see.

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0208.jpg)

Then again mix up some fibreglass paste and fill in the hole and leave to dry.

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0210.jpg)

Then use some filler over the top, when dried, sand down again and make sure theres no lip or anything.

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0209.jpg)

Remove the washer jets which are held in with 2 torque screws and you will see that both pipes connect into one, and then into the pipe above. I used a big bolt to wedge into the hole, a cable tie and some sealant. ( you can buy a proper plug that goes into the washer tank if you remove the pump )

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0218.jpg)

So now its a case of a lot of sanding, filling small imperfections and sanding again. TAKE YOUR TIME! Its not a 2 Minute job like some people make out, well to get it perfect its certainly not!

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/IMG_0219.jpg)

I got it as good as i could, then went over the whole bumper with 800 grit, then 1200 grit to get it ready for primer. Then handed it over to my friend who ownes a body shop. I would highly recommend letting a professional paint it, a halfords rattle can wouldnt be up to the job!

I will post up some pictures of the bumper when its finished so you can see the finished item :)

Here's a list of materials i used:
120, 400, 800 & 1200 grit sandpaper,
Upol Fibreglass Paste
Upol 'Easy Sand' BodyFiller
A Glue Gun (if your doing the washer delete)
And a lot of patience  :grin:

Feel free to ask any questions i will reply :)

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: Dave_IOW on 07 June 2011, 18:45

looking forward to the finished item  :afro:

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: Granta Gti on 07 June 2011, 19:23

Nice work  :cool:

thats exactly what i wanna do when i have some time off. i got a second bumper lying around at work but it does not have the guides on one side, you know the piece that allows it to slide onto the car?? can you get them from the stealers? it looks like it has broken off and dont know how well i could attach a new one to the bumper and in the end i dont want more hassle trying to line it up when i want to put it back on, see i dont wanna do all the work to find the bumper wont sit flush  :sad:

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: Ant1981 on 07 June 2011, 19:39

It takes some skill to crack a job like that and get the radius correct.

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: daz veedub on 07 June 2011, 19:49

good effort  :cool:

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: sveed1.8T on 07 June 2011, 21:31

Quote from: Granta Gti on 07 June 2011, 19:23

Nice work  :cool:

thats exactly what i wanna do when i have some time off. i got a second bumper lying around at work but it does not have the guides on one side, you know the piece that allows it to slide onto the car?? can you get them from the stealers? it looks like it has broken off and dont know how well i could attach a new one to the bumper and in the end i dont want more hassle trying to line it up when i want to put it back on, see i dont wanna do all the work to find the bumper wont sit flush  :sad:

Found this for yah, I know it's for a pair, but for the price :wink:

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?index=7&nav=SEARCH&nid=06344925789&itemId=280688182736

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: Granta Gti on 07 June 2011, 21:38

Quote from: sveed1.8T on 07 June 2011, 21:31

Quote from: Granta Gti on 07 June 2011, 19:23

Nice work  :cool:

thats exactly what i wanna do when i have some time off. i got a second bumper lying around at work but it does not have the guides on one side, you know the piece that allows it to slide onto the car?? can you get them from the stealers? it looks like it has broken off and dont know how well i could attach a new one to the bumper and in the end i dont want more hassle trying to line it up when i want to put it back on, see i dont wanna do all the work to find the bumper wont sit flush  :sad:

Found this for yah, I know it's for a pair, but for the price :wink:

cool mate thank you
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?index=7&nav=SEARCH&nid=06344925789&itemId=280688182736

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: craig4004 on 07 June 2011, 23:03

Thanks guys :) Hopefully the bumper will have first coats of paint tomorrow in the bodyshop, with a bit of luck i will have it back thursday night and can put some new pics up :)

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: Wayne on 07 June 2011, 23:58

Great work so far plus really good write up :afro:

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: craig4004 on 08 June 2011, 11:37

Thanks Wayne :)

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: craig4004 on 14 June 2011, 22:42

Yes sorry forgot to update. Very happy with how it turned out.

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/241477_10150233946499241_514114240_6903656_447950_o.jpg)

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/258005_10150233946944241_514114240_6903658_8072655_o.jpg)

(http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/yy209/c-raig4004/254369_10150232575154241_514114240_6886916_51399_n.jpg)

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: daz veedub on 14 June 2011, 22:44

yeah man thats a top job mate looks sweet ive ended up buying 1 won on ebay as i dont really have time to do sumet like that at the min cant wait get mine on after seein urs  :cool:

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: rio_gti on 15 June 2011, 10:40

that looks well tidy deffo gonna be doing this!!!
 
you done or gonna be doind the back????   :cool:

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: porter_89 on 15 June 2011, 11:19

looks tidy mate really good job cant wait to do mine lol

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: craig4004 on 15 June 2011, 12:36

Thanks for everyone's positive feedback :) yeah am gonna do the rear bumper soon, hot a nice bonus from work in 2 weeks so hopefully that shal fund it :) makes a hell of a difference once on!

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: jonesltd on 15 June 2011, 12:44

Have u got any other pics of bumper on car? Thinking of Doing this on mine as fed up with my r32 bumper and wanted to maybe fill in vents...

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: Cov golf on 15 June 2011, 13:13

Looks good top job  :cool:

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: Dave_IOW on 15 June 2011, 17:09

looks real nice but id only want to do rubstrip sides as that numberplate would make my FMIC useless  :laugh:

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: rio_gti on 15 June 2011, 17:15

put the no. plate to the side  :smug: as i think i am gonna do!!!!!

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: craig4004 on 15 June 2011, 20:04

I really wanted to do the side vents and get a standard vallance which i think would look wicked. BUT i cant afford a front mount so deleting the side vents would be a bit pointless and the turbo might get a bit warm! Iv only got a poo camera so havent really got any better pics, but when my mate comes round with his £1k camera il get a few decent shots and put it on here :)

Title: Re: How to Smooth a front Bumper on a MK4 Golf, I done it!
Post by: jonesltd on 15 June 2011, 21:39

If u had of gone down that route how much would it have cost? Ave u got any pics of what it would have looked like? Sorry to b a pest