jrodhotrod
Contributor
- :
- 2003 Mazda Protege5 (Mine) 2002 Nissan Sentra GXE (Wife's)
Hey Guys, I just plugged the holes in my bumper. Pictures and the materials I used to do it below.
I purchased some BODY-TITE! panel trim fasteners from Kragens. These should be available at any auto parts store.
I had to try a couple of sizes before I found one that went in and is removable if I ever want to put a bolt in those holes again, but won't just pop out.
I bought :
"GM UNIVERSAL" Panel/Trim Retainers
part #45890 and they come with 4 in a box.
I didn't take pictures of the process but it's really easy.
Make sure you have some touch-up paint.
Sand the tops of the retainers down with 1000 grit sandpaper, make sure you sand the whole top until there aren't any shiny spots and sand the edges as well because you'll want to paint those too.
After you have sanded the tops, use a SMALL brush to brush on a light coat of touch-up paint. The brush that comes with the touch-up paint is way too big and it will get messy. I used a clamp to hold my retainer so I could paint the top and all around the edges of the button surface.
Let the first coat of paint dry. Sand lightly with 1000 grit sand paper and repeat. Let it dry for about an hour to make sure it sets well.
I repeated this process twice and ended up with three coats of touch-up paint on mine. In my opinion it looks pretty good and is much better then the two holes that were in my bumper before.
When your sure that it's totally dry (let it set overnight) go ahead and just push the trim retainers/buttons into your bumper into the existing holes. It should be a nice snug fit.
Finished picture is below.
-Jared
I purchased some BODY-TITE! panel trim fasteners from Kragens. These should be available at any auto parts store.
I had to try a couple of sizes before I found one that went in and is removable if I ever want to put a bolt in those holes again, but won't just pop out.
I bought :
"GM UNIVERSAL" Panel/Trim Retainers
part #45890 and they come with 4 in a box.
I didn't take pictures of the process but it's really easy.
Make sure you have some touch-up paint.
Sand the tops of the retainers down with 1000 grit sandpaper, make sure you sand the whole top until there aren't any shiny spots and sand the edges as well because you'll want to paint those too.
After you have sanded the tops, use a SMALL brush to brush on a light coat of touch-up paint. The brush that comes with the touch-up paint is way too big and it will get messy. I used a clamp to hold my retainer so I could paint the top and all around the edges of the button surface.
Let the first coat of paint dry. Sand lightly with 1000 grit sand paper and repeat. Let it dry for about an hour to make sure it sets well.
I repeated this process twice and ended up with three coats of touch-up paint on mine. In my opinion it looks pretty good and is much better then the two holes that were in my bumper before.
When your sure that it's totally dry (let it set overnight) go ahead and just push the trim retainers/buttons into your bumper into the existing holes. It should be a nice snug fit.
Finished picture is below.
-Jared
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