working with the felxible bumper

[OA-5599]

Advice needed... I have a killer front end in mind, but I must be able to work with the flexible front facia. Can I use a more rigid fiberglass on top of it? SHould I just re-mold the whole piece in fiberglass? I assume any kind of bondo will flake off because of the flexible poly. What can I use to mold and shape it>?

Thanks

[NC-SXT]

I would ask Ernie from Avon Wheels

[OA-5599]

Ernie, remember how I got you started with the body colored headlights? Can you help me out?

[bigjim]

Any good body supply shop will have several choices that stay flexible and stick like you wouldn't believe!! Go for a walk or ride and talk to the supply shop, they WILL help. PS, it ani't cheap but does exist.

[grinner]

I recomend 3M Automix. You can get it at auto paint stores. It remains flexible so it won't crack like fiberglass will. In certain spots, fiberglass will work fine but anywhere it will still flex, a flexible filler should be used. This stuff works as a 2-ply epoxy. Not easy to work with and not easy to sand. Good stuff tho. Thats what I used on my front end.

[OA-5599]

Grinner, BigJim, what kind of material can I use to fill in/build up large areas? For example, if I wanted to remove the bumper channels (fill them in) and fill in the lower openings - going for a really smooth look - is there some kind of poly sheeting, then fill and finish with the Automix? Likewise, for the tail, the photoshop renderings of the body colored tails has me going, but why paint them when I can just remove, replace with fiberglass or some other material, and use the LED strips (and killer backup in the liftgate handle). I have done some artistic and industrial casting, so the tails are going to be easy, but I am very intimidated by the flexible front.

I am going to SO HOMER this up!

[grinner]

I used bondo spreaders and a paint stick to build a wall to build the epoxy on top of. Turned aout awesome.
Here's a thread that covers it in depth with some video and some pics:
http://www.lxforums.com/board/showthread.php?t=28585&highlight=front+grinner

[OA-5599]

Thanks Grinner, looks like I can be very creative with the backing materials. Killer look on yours now, as many have said; very aggressive. Pity the fool mini or civic that gets in the way!

[OA-5599]

here is what I have in mind:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v435/theweeb/Frontnew.jpg

I am not a PhotoShop person, so please do not get down on me for the rough chop, I am using version 5.5 that was bootlegged nearly ten years ago. The look I am trying to achieve is one that tightens up the front end a bit, and pays respect to the DNA:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v435/theweeb/1978magnum.jpg

Mine has body colored headlamp assemblies, and I will have a grille with a circle punched flat black pattern, which would be matched in the lower opening and the area around the driving lamps.

I am set on doing this, just need to find the right materials go at it!

[COLORADOMAGNUM]

That is sick. I hope you get this done, John. That is an awesome look!!!

[boggart]

I don't like it. Makes the "bumper" look too big.

[OA-5599]

another perspective:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v435/theweeb/2005DodgeMagnumRedfrontright1280.jpg

less aggressive? Audi?

[grinner]

wonder what that'd look like in person with the bumper seperating the grilles painted flat black. Like one bigass opening?
May be too much.

[OA-5599]

I just got the car back from the dealer, 10 days, stuff done, and will start on the front this weekend. The more I look at the photchop, the more I like it.