Graphite Bumper Project

[E.Tinker]

I'm liking the contrast...sets things off quite nicely . Have you thought about accenting he front grille with the same graphite color? Maybe the trim around the fog lights?

Excellent work once again!

[mazspd3jase]

Originally Posted by E.Tinker

I'm liking the contrast...sets things off quite nicely . Have you thought about accenting he front grille with the same graphite color? Maybe the trim around the fog lights?

Excellent work once again!

hehehe, on the same wavelength there....foglight surrounds are already done....those little silver surrounds pop off quite easily. As for the grill, contemplating it, but the graphite is pretty close in shade of grey. getting the bumper clip off is easy, but the grill is alot more work to get out. For now i'm leavin it. Nose will go bye bye eventually....i hate that i cant take/rid the nose of the emblem...so will replace with something aftermarket eventually. Dig the look of the Autoexe one, but not ready to part with 1grand for it....and that i would have to take in for a professional paint job. Color matching properly is a true science.

[davidhibler]

how do the fog light surrounds pop off? do you have to do it from the back?

[mazspd3jase]

Originally Posted by davidhibler

how do the fog light surrounds pop off? do you have to do it from the back?

will take off and take a pic tomorrow...dont even have to have the bumper off...its just a matter of pulling...4 grooves around them....you basically work one side out and proceed in a circle. will make more sense with a picture though. Promise to share tomorrow.

[2010mazda3]

so what did u have to do to prep this? and did u put some kind of clear coat on it.

[mde83]

That looks pretty good. The paint work looks really good too. Did you rattle can that? If so, wow...good job.

[mazspd3jase]

Originally Posted by davidhibler

how do the fog light surrounds pop off? do you have to do it from the back?

For Davidhibler:
Foglight surrounds are held on by four molded clips. The key is starting off at the right spot, so took pics
easy to remove:

Note four molded clip areas

1. grab lower part of the plastic housing....gently, but firmly (yea, sounds dumb) start to pull and you should feel it start to come out.



2. slide your finger right(pic is on driver's side foglight). Left if working on passenger side.



3. continue to the next clip area(either side you should now be at the top of the foglight.


4. last one. at this point it will be almost loose. Dont twist...you just need to apply pressure pulling straight out.


To reinstall, you just go in reverse order. i found it easiest to get it back in this way due to the angle of the clips.

[mazspd3jase]

Originally Posted by 2010mazda3

so what did u have to do to prep this? and did u put some kind of clear coat on it.

working on a list of items and steps i did to complete. Unfortunately no pics of step by step. Took me 8hrs to do all 4 . was done with rattle can & yes, wheels also have a clear coat. will be posting in how to section when done.

[davidhibler]

mazspd3jase - Thanks! pretty easy...my fingers are sore tho
we'll see how they turnedout in a few hours.

[2010mazda3]

Originally Posted by mazspd3jase

working on a list of items and steps i did to complete. Unfortunately no pics of step by step. Took me 8hrs to do all 4 . was done with rattle can & yes, wheels also have a clear coat. will be posting in how to section when done.

sweet im kinda iffy about doing it myself. if it was electrical or engine stuff id do it. but not sure about the paint. i may see how much a paint place will charge