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-   -   BRZ Front bumper question (https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78646)

E13MentX 12-04-2014 06:30 AM
BRZ Front bumper question
 
Been a long time lurker here. I have owned my BRZ for almost a year now and I'm finally ready to get rid of the only thing I hate about the beloved BRZ; the black plastic front bumper part! (the mouth guard, mustache, or whatever). I was wondering if there was any way to change the black plastic part? I have searched for a long time, seems like the only way is to change the entire front bumper? Are there any alternatives? I have the 2014 limited SWP edition so swapping it with a FRS wouldn't work (fog lights). Anyone have any ideas? Thank you so much for your help!

Jesse36m3 12-04-2014 06:52 AM
I've seen a member here that sanded it smooth and painted it glossy black. It looked so nice. I can't recall who it was but I'm sure someone knows. That's the route I'm going when I have the bumper repainted after one of these winters.


I know it's still black, but it gets rid of the cheap plastic look if that's another route you'd want to go..

Bobblehead 12-04-2014 06:59 AM
As someone who sustained front bumper damage, maybe I can help a bit:

The front bumper on the BRZ is all one piece, including the mustache. As far as making it gloss black, or body color I guess you could sand it down smooth and paint it. Other than that, or possibly a whole new aftermarket bumper, all you can do is sand it and paint it.

Andrew025 12-04-2014 07:33 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jesse36m3 (Post 2043848)
I've seen a member here that sanded it smooth and painted it glossy black. It looked so nice. I can't recall who it was but I'm sure someone knows. That's the route I'm going when I have the bumper repainted after one of these winters.


I know it's still black, but it gets rid of the cheap plastic look if that's another route you'd want to go..
@chanomatik

midnight23 12-04-2014 07:43 AM
i'm going to cut my mustache completely off once my custom crash bar gets built.

Burrcold 12-04-2014 08:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by midnight23 (Post 2043869)
i'm going to cut my mustache completely off once my custom crash bar gets built.
It'll just grow back...but thicker!

Andrew025 12-04-2014 09:04 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Burrcold (Post 2043901)
It'll just grow back...but thicker!
That's just a myth :D

rlpaul 12-04-2014 09:11 AM
The more you cut it, the faster it grows back!

chanomatik 12-04-2014 12:55 PM
Here I is! I had my shop do it. I don't know the EXACT procedure, but I know it entails some filling in because the piece is heavily textured, then some sanding to smooth it out. I don't know what it was filled with, though. Anyone with any kind of experience could probably guess it easily if you're paying someone else to fabricate it. After sanding, you'll want to have clear bra put over it after the paint has either had time to cure properly or just dried completely, depending on paint used.

Here's basically what it looked like when I first got it done.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/...a2c7498b_h.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/...3f51cc96_h.jpg

When it was first done they just painted it with whatever they had at the time and told me to bring it back in a week after the paint cured. No clear bra was applied at the time for that reason. Well, in Anchorage, Alaska, they lay down gravel on the roads instead of salt, so my front was dinged up. They never actually got around to applying the clear bra or touching up the paint, so here's what it looked like during the middle of summer (kind of hard to tell, you'll need to blow it up a little).

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/...7f3364c6_h.jpg

Those little white splotches are dings in the bumper. Eventually they took the car back and got it professionally painted, where it dried in a day, then had clear bra put on it. That was maybe 5 months ago now and the bumper still looks brand new. Actually my entire front looks new because I had clear bra applied right after I bought the car and they replaced the clear bra, so the paint is untouched. I don't have a current picture of the front, but it looks the same anyways.

I don't know how much it would cost to have it done since mine was done for free. My shop takes REALLY good care of me and I'm super appreciative of their kindness. I show it by continuing to bring them business!

Anyways, if there's anything specific you want me to ask them about the procedure, let me know. A member on here pointed out that it mostly works on my car because it's already black. Honestly, I was going for a lighter black, more of that duller, yet glossy dark gray that the BRZ STI Concept uses. I think if you could get it closer to this instead of the deep black like I have, you'd be golden!

http://www.autotribute.com/wp-conten...cept-front.jpg

E13MentX 12-04-2014 03:58 PM
thanks for everyone that replied!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chanomatik (Post 2044131)
Here I is! I had my shop do it. I don't know the EXACT procedure, but I know it entails some filling in because the piece is heavily textured, then some sanding to smooth it out. I don't know what it was filled with, though. Anyone with any kind of experience could probably guess it easily if you're paying someone else to fabricate it. After sanding, you'll want to have clear bra put over it after the paint has either had time to cure properly or just dried completely, depending on paint used.

Here's basically what it looked like when I first got it done.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/...a2c7498b_h.jpg
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/...3f51cc96_h.jpg

When it was first done they just painted it with whatever they had at the time and told me to bring it back in a week after the paint cured. No clear bra was applied at the time for that reason. Well, in Anchorage, Alaska, they lay down gravel on the roads instead of salt, so my front was dinged up. They never actually got around to applying the clear bra or touching up the paint, so here's what it looked like during the middle of summer (kind of hard to tell, you'll need to blow it up a little).

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/...7f3364c6_h.jpg

Those little white splotches are dings in the bumper. Eventually they took the car back and got it professionally painted, where it dried in a day, then had clear bra put on it. That was maybe 5 months ago now and the bumper still looks brand new. Actually my entire front looks new because I had clear bra applied right after I bought the car and they replaced the clear bra, so the paint is untouched. I don't have a current picture of the front, but it looks the same anyways.

I don't know how much it would cost to have it done since mine was done for free. My shop takes REALLY good care of me and I'm super appreciative of their kindness. I show it by continuing to bring them business!

Anyways, if there's anything specific you want me to ask them about the procedure, let me know. A member on here pointed out that it mostly works on my car because it's already black. Honestly, I was going for a lighter black, more of that duller, yet glossy dark gray that the BRZ STI Concept uses. I think if you could get it closer to this instead of the deep black like I have, you'd be golden!

http://www.autotribute.com/wp-conten...cept-front.jpg
Wow that looks amazing on your car... But I don't think that would look good on mine. Like you and other members have said, it works since you have black car. I think if I did it on my car, it would stand out more. I remember reading another thread about painting the mustache. But imo, it looks hideous if I paint it white. (Not to mention all the trouble and cost).

As to others that mention cutting the plastic. I don' think that would be a possibility for me since I wouldn't know how to add something to change it. I have seen pictures in another thread of people just cutting the plastic off. It looks like an open mouth (Look like those Mazda 3s). So i guess there's no other alternatives.... =/

chanomatik 12-04-2014 05:44 PM
Yeah, sorry. :( The only other thing I kind of liked was the overlay that either looks like carbon fiber or IS carbon fiber. It's from S-Craft.
http://www.frp-craft.com/cgi/pd/img/100.jpg

HKS Kansai is an option too, especially since it sticks with the body lines.
http://www.kansaisv.co.jp/sp_info/im...007pic_2_7.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4..._carbon_01.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j4..._carbon_02.jpg

Otherwise, yeah, not much for options besides just getting a new front bumper. Honestly, only we car enthusiasts REALLY care. The average Joe will still think you have the prettiest car ever and just wonder how fast it is. ;)

kberkel 12-04-2014 08:07 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chanomatik (Post 2044131)
Here I is! I had my shop do it. I don't know the EXACT procedure, but I know it entails some filling in because the piece is heavily textured, then some sanding to smooth it out. I don't know what it was filled with, though. Anyone with any kind of experience could probably guess it easily if you're paying someone else to fabricate it. After sanding, you'll want to have clear bra put over it after the paint has either had time to cure properly or just dried completely, depending on paint used.
Dang looks great.

I'm sure Evercoat Polyflex would do the trick.

wrb.brz 12-08-2014 02:02 AM
The mustache doesn't bother me, but chanomatik's alteration looks REALLY good. Curious if it would blend as nicely on a color other than black...

BRZPDX 12-08-2014 02:33 AM
How much did it cost to do the mustache augmentation?

jjkerr626 12-08-2014 02:39 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chanomatik (Post 2044131)
Here I is! I had my shop do it. I don't know the EXACT procedure, but I know it entails some filling in because the piece is heavily textured, then some sanding to smooth it out. I don't know what it was filled with, though. Anyone with any kind of experience could probably guess it easily if you're paying someone else to fabricate it. After sanding, you'll want to have clear bra put over it after the paint has either had time to cure properly or just dried completely, depending on paint used.



Here's basically what it looked like when I first got it done.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/...a2c7498b_h.jpg

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/...3f51cc96_h.jpg



When it was first done they just painted it with whatever they had at the time and told me to bring it back in a week after the paint cured. No clear bra was applied at the time for that reason. Well, in Anchorage, Alaska, they lay down gravel on the roads instead of salt, so my front was dinged up. They never actually got around to applying the clear bra or touching up the paint, so here's what it looked like during the middle of summer (kind of hard to tell, you'll need to blow it up a little).



https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3857/...7f3364c6_h.jpg



Those little white splotches are dings in the bumper. Eventually they took the car back and got it professionally painted, where it dried in a day, then had clear bra put on it. That was maybe 5 months ago now and the bumper still looks brand new. Actually my entire front looks new because I had clear bra applied right after I bought the car and they replaced the clear bra, so the paint is untouched. I don't have a current picture of the front, but it looks the same anyways.



I don't know how much it would cost to have it done since mine was done for free. My shop takes REALLY good care of me and I'm super appreciative of their kindness. I show it by continuing to bring them business!



Anyways, if there's anything specific you want me to ask them about the procedure, let me know. A member on here pointed out that it mostly works on my car because it's already black. Honestly, I was going for a lighter black, more of that duller, yet glossy dark gray that the BRZ STI Concept uses. I think if you could get it closer to this instead of the deep black like I have, you'd be golden!



http://www.autotribute.com/wp-conten...cept-front.jpg

Man I thought I had it tough living in Canada for winters....Alaska that's a whole other ball game! That car looks sweet though that's for sure!

FluffyBrz 12-08-2014 03:30 AM
Wow that looks awesome in the gloss !!!!!



(Don't have that problem in Australia as I'd doesn't snow here :), but I've never seen snow which sux :( lol)

Fastbrew 12-08-2014 04:35 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by FluffyBrz (Post 2048104)
Wow that looks awesome in the gloss !!!!!



(Don't have that problem in Australia as I'd doesn't snow here :), but I've never seen snow which sux :( lol)
Mt Perisher?

FluffyBrz 12-08-2014 05:32 AM
I love in one of the hottest States so I'm no where near the two or three places that snow

chanomatik 12-08-2014 01:04 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by wrb.brz (Post 2048058)
The mustache doesn't bother me, but chanomatik's alteration looks REALLY good. Curious if it would blend as nicely on a color other than black...
I've postulated that it could work with any other color, but only if there are other black pieces on the car. Like if you had a WRB, Red, White or Silver BRZ, the black gloss mustache would look good if the roof and side mirrors were vinyl wrapped gloss black. If you ONLY did the mustache, though, it would stand out too much on its own.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRZPDX (Post 2048074)
How much did it cost to do the mustache augmentation?
Well initially it was only about $200 as part of a deal that was discounted because my Brembos were taking so long to get painted. Once they took my car back to fix the chips in the mustache, they were so busy that they had it professionally painted by a body shop. I know once I was quoted a paint job on the 2011-2014 STI tS trunk lip spoiler and it was $200, and that think is probably smaller than the mustache. So it wouldn't surprise me if the lip would cost about $250.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jjkerr626 (Post 2048075)
Man I thought I had it tough living in Canada for winters....Alaska that's a whole other ball game! That car looks sweet though that's for sure!
Thanks! It's straight up drama up here! On Saturday afternoon I washed my car because it hadn't snowed in a while and was just dusty. Finally it snowed and was getting cold. That's my favorite time to wash the car because it stays clean for a long time in the winter when there's only ice on the ground. On Saturday evening, however, it started raining a TINY bit... Okay, whatever. Car still looked pretty good. Well on Sunday morning I went for a drive and it had warmed up to above freezing AND started raining! So now my car is FILTHY all over again. I had to wipe my headlights on my way to work this morning because they were just covered in mud! :mad0260:

I cannot wait to leave this place. It's a Nice Car's nightmare. haha

Andrew025 12-08-2014 01:27 PM
I want to see someone fill it in to the bumper so it's essentially no longer there and then paint match.

chanomatik 12-08-2014 01:49 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew025 (Post 2048421)
I want to see someone fill it in to the bumper so it's essentially no longer there and then paint match.
http://www.awesomelyluvvie.com/wp-co...ive-Genius.gif

bcj 12-08-2014 04:39 PM
Still waiting for someone to paint it Hot Lava.

First with a ginger 'tash. Would have been amazeballs last month.

Yer a' chicken! Chook chook chook!

chanomatik 12-08-2014 05:00 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew025 (Post 2048421)
I want to see someone fill it in to the bumper so it's essentially no longer there and then paint match.
I was thinking about this during my lunch and wondering why Subaru didn't just do this in the first place?

Andrew025 12-08-2014 05:07 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chanomatik (Post 2048734)
I was thinking about this during my lunch and wondering why Subaru didn't just do this in the first place?
Probably just because of the style most new cars have with the big gaping mouth.

kberkel 12-09-2014 08:32 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew025 (Post 2048421)
I want to see someone fill it in to the bumper so it's essentially no longer there and then paint match.
Did a 5 minute photoshop, I don't like it at all, makes it look like a base model and the other a performance model (though the wheels on the other one don't help) :bonk:

http://i.imgur.com/giMk1Gw.jpg

Gloss black looks good though.

chanomatik 12-09-2014 08:41 PM
It really makes me thinking of a smiling chimp.
http://i.imgur.com/9T9Yr.jpg

kberkel 12-09-2014 08:59 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by chanomatik (Post 2050621)
It really makes me thinking of a smiling chimp.
http://i.imgur.com/9T9Yr.jpg
Add some turbo nostrils

http://i.imgur.com/iDNjqx1.jpg

chanomatik 12-09-2014 09:09 PM
I'd put the Hella Supertones behind there. ;)

kberkel 12-09-2014 09:15 PM
Colormatched looks cool too with the outline still there.

http://i.imgur.com/SWJt4Fy.jpg

raven1231 12-09-2014 09:35 PM
ahh I still prefer the stache lol

kberkel 12-09-2014 09:57 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by raven1231 (Post 2050684)
ahh I still prefer the stache lol
Me too, I love it :D

themadscientist 12-09-2014 10:04 PM
I prefer the black inset blunt nose on the BRZ over the longer shark nose on the 86. It's ccol that there are options for folks that don't, though.

E13MentX 12-10-2014 06:44 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kberkel (Post 2050608)
Did a 5 minute photoshop, I don't like it at all, makes it look like a base model and the other a performance model (though the wheels on the other one don't help) :bonk:

http://i.imgur.com/giMk1Gw.jpg

Gloss black looks good though.
Wow... maybe im in the minority... but I think that looks awesome! Maybe if there was more angles (like the ft86 concepts) wish the car came stock like that >__<

I thought about painting my SWP BRZ mustache white. But i feel like it looks terrible. Think it draws more attention to it...

echo419 12-11-2014 02:58 PM
can it be removed from the bumper? might look to fill in the hole with a mesh grill or like a plastic honeycomb looking material. :dontknow:

Andrew025 12-11-2014 10:39 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by echo419 (Post 2052862)
can it be removed from the bumper? might look to fill in the hole with a mesh grill or like a plastic honeycomb looking material. :dontknow:
Only if you cut it out.

Suparu 09-07-2020 04:33 PM
Has anyone smoothed and painted the unpainted plastic rear bumper?

SUSPECT_BRZ 09-07-2020 04:51 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suparu (Post 3365327)
Has anyone smoothed and painted the unpainted plastic rear bumper?
Seems like a lot of work for minimal results.

Suparu 09-07-2020 09:42 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by SUSPECT_BRZ (Post 3365330)
Seems like a lot of work for minimal results.
My 2013 is in need of a full repaint and I really like the look of the smooth, painted mustache on page 1. So I’m curious about the rear since my whole car needs to go under the knife anyway.

Has anyone seen pics of what that looks like?


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