8g JDM Front Conversion

[Galante]

Hey Guys,

I'm planning to have JDM full front conversion on my 8g. However, I'm also planning to paint the bumper by myself. I tried searching on the tutorials about DIY painting but I didn't see anything. How hard it will be to DIY paint a bumper? What would be the materials needed? Thanks.

[pinoyesv6]

what kinda equipment do u have??

do you have like an automotive paint sprayer? are you painting from a rattle can? where are u gonna spray it?

[Galante]

I plan to buy the equipments needed, like air compressor, spray gun etc. But would it be hard to do the actual painting? I would need a color matched to my existing paint then clear coat. Probably a polishing compound.

[G-spot]

go to your local auto paint supplier and they will give you step by step instructions. In fact my local rep showed me how to build a paint booth out of wood and plastic sheets 8)

[02galant]

For what you would spend to buy everything to do it yourself you can have it done professionally.

[Galante]

go to your local auto paint supplier and they will give you step by step instructions. In fact my local rep showed me how to build a paint booth out of wood and plastic sheets 8)

Did you diy painted your bumper/skirts?

[RAZ_76]

For what you would spend to buy everything to do it yourself you can have it done professionally.


A lot cheaper.

The dealer will probably paint the front bumper for about 350 or so. For your project to come out looking good, specially up close where detail is noticed, you will need a bunch of stuff. For someone that wants to paint you don't seem like you did your homework enough. You are going to have to do a lot of searching and understanding what it takes to paint, not just ask questions. Getting the supplies is the easy part. If you get a JDM bumper, you will have to sand down the clear coat on it, fill holes and scratches, sand some more. Have to be able to feel by hand where you sand to make sure you don't have uneven spots. There's a lot to it then just buying equipment and spraying. I've been doing this for 15 years and I'm still learning some things. Ask your self these questions, have you painted anything with a spray-gun before?? Don't say I have with a can because it is totally different. If you never done this then I'm going to be the honest one of the bunch and tell you that your first project will look like ass. Take a class if you plan to do this or read lots of books but I will tell you this right now that after you read all them books and you have a basic understanding of what you need to do, now the hard part comes in, now you have to actually do it and if you miss a step while doing it, something will come out shitty, or if you don't mix some chemicals right, your project will fail. There are certain PSIs that will be needed for this type of painting. These are things you will need to read up on. I cant really tell you how to do it because everyone has their own style. I suggest buying a used bumper and practice and practice until you get it right. Or you could just paint it like you think it should be done and have it not match the rest of the body like some cars we see here on TGC and other forums and be the type that is satisfied with that. I personally am a perfectionist, i take my time in what I do because I love this, that's another pointer for you dude, you must like it. If you don't like it, it wont come out good. Body work is a skill that not very many perfect. There are a lot of body man out there but only small percentage of them are really good. So with that said, before you go buy all those tools and have your project frustrate an upset you, ask yourself if this is really something you want to do? This is not like painting interior pieces that are tinny and all you do is sand lightly and paint with a can. A bumper is like a car, get the prepping done right and the paint will lay down good too. Prepping is the most important. Good luck, my post is not to stop your project but simply to make sure you understand whats involved to do it the right way. If I were you, unless you plan on painting a bunch of stuff in the future, have it done by someone at a shop. It will be much cheaper for you.

[9G]

try it.

[Galante]

A lot cheaper.

The dealer will probably paint the front bumper for about 350 or so. For your project to come out looking good, specially up close where detail is noticed, you will need a bunch of stuff. For someone that wants to paint you don't seem like you did your homework enough. You are going to have to do a lot of searching and understanding what it takes to paint, not just ask questions. Getting the supplies is the easy part. If you get a JDM bumper, you will have to sand down the clear coat on it, fill holes and scratches, sand some more. Have to be able to feel by hand where you sand to make sure you don't have uneven spots. There's a lot to it then just buying equipment and spraying. I've been doing this for 15 years and I'm still learning some things. Ask your self these questions, have you painted anything with a spray-gun before?? Don't say I have with a can because it is totally different. If you never done this then I'm going to be the honest one of the bunch and tell you that your first project will look like ass. Take a class if you plan to do this or read lots of books but I will tell you this right now that after you read all them books and you have a basic understanding of what you need to do, now the hard part comes in, now you have to actually do it and if you miss a step while doing it, something will come out shitty, or if you don't mix some chemicals right, your project will fail. There are certain PSIs that will be needed for this type of painting. These are things you will need to read up on. I cant really tell you how to do it because everyone has their own style. I suggest buying a used bumper and practice and practice until you get it right. Or you could just paint it like you think it should be done and have it not match the rest of the body like some cars we see here on TGC and other forums and be the type that is satisfied with that. I personally am a perfectionist, i take my time in what I do because I love this, that's another pointer for you dude, you must like it. If you don't like it, it wont come out good. Body work is a skill that not very many perfect. There are a lot of body man out there but only small percentage of them are really good. So with that said, before you go buy all those tools and have your project frustrate an upset you, ask yourself if this is really something you want to do? This is not like painting interior pieces that are tinny and all you do is sand lightly and paint with a can. A bumper is like a car, get the prepping done right and the paint will lay down good too. Prepping is the most important. Good luck, my post is not to stop your project but simply to make sure you understand whats involved to do it the right way. If I were you, unless you plan on painting a bunch of stuff in the future, have it done by someone at a shop. It will be much cheaper for you.

Hey Raz,
Thanks for the honest advice. Based on that, I think it would be best to have it done professionally.

[RedGalant2k1]

Just make sure you do as much prep work as possible. That would help keep shop costs down, afterall the prep time is the most costly.

[RAZ_76]

Just make sure you do as much prep work as possible. That would help keep shop costs down, afterall the prep time is the most costly.


Agreed! That is where all the labor and cost is.

[Galante]

Another problem I have is to get the JDM bumper first. Anyone tried the VR4 bumper from VIS Racing?

[Danger DANJ]

I was once contemplating painting my new JDM parts my self to save money, but I changed my mind. Instead, I've slowly been doing all the filling of scratches and nicks and stuff, then I'll hand it over to a professional for the painting.

[bellefontaine187]

i have painted before and my peices actually came out great.but painting body panels is a completly difrent ball game. abs plastic bumpers flex, wich means if you dont use a flex additive in your paint that you can get stress cracks in the paint from the paint not flexing when the bumper does. i live in maine and any abs bumpers painted without a flex additive wouldnt survive one winter here. take a class on paint and body first. have your bumpers professionally painted untill you have learned proper techniques and had lots of practice. the ebst way to learn is trial and error.

[RAZ_76]

Another problem I have is to get the JDM bumper first. Anyone tried the VR4 bumper from VIS Racing?

Do you really want fiber glass??? I know I dont liek it too much. Fitment is crap and they are way to sensitive.

[dronesurfboards]

I agree with Raz, VIS is a good company but trying to keep a FG bumper in mint condition especially if youre driving your car daily is going to be tough. Just contact trigg and get a bumper from him. He gives good prices and gets you your stuff QUICK!

[Galante]

I agree with Raz, VIS is a good company but trying to keep a FG bumper in mint condition especially if youre driving your car daily is going to be tough. Just contact trigg and get a bumper from him. He gives good prices and gets you your stuff QUICK!

when you install your JDM bumper, did you have to modify the bumper support bar on the chassis/radiator? Let me know.

[MJ2002]

^not at all..

u can buy jdm plug-n-play

[Galante]

Where would I get that from? ty

[RAZ_76]

^not at all..

u can buy jdm plug-n-play

^^^Moron, if you dont know, dont give advice.

Now to answer your question correctly, yes you do have to cut the crash bar at 45* angle and also on the bottom if you want it to fit at all. Here is a photo of mine after I cut it.



http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa82/RAZ_76/99galant020.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa82/RAZ_76/JDM%20STUFF/03-27-08_1252.jpg

[mitsu_vic]

^^^One post from you and I change my mind, with a trip to the beach blowing out the window, I thought of fixing my bumper and fender (myself with guidance), perhaps a professional will do it.

[IceDouTGaLanT]

mj2002 if you know sh**, then don't recommend sh**. Like raz posted above is the correct method to fit your jdm front end on. Also depends what jdm front end you go with the Newstyle like my sig/ or old style like raz both need the crash bar modified like raz posted. If you go with the VRG you have to remove the crash bar and make a custom one. Also you will need jdm heads since you will have gaps under your headlights. You also will need a JDM grill

[Galante]

^^^Moron, if you dont know, dont give advice.

Now to answer your question correctly, yes you do have to cut the crash bar at 45* angle and also on the bottom if you want it to fit at all. Here is a photo of mine after I cut it.



http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa82/RAZ_76/99galant020.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa82/RAZ_76/JDM%20STUFF/03-27-08_1252.jpg

Thanks bro, I really appreciate an honest feedback..

[Galante]

mj2002 if you know sh**, then don't recommend sh**. Like raz posted above is the correct method to fit your jdm front end on. Also depends what jdm front end you go with the Newstyle like my sig/ or old style like raz both need the crash bar modified like raz posted. If you go with the VRG you have to remove the crash bar and make a custom one. Also you will need jdm heads since you will have gaps under your headlights. You also will need a JDM grill

I will order the same front end like Raz's and JDM heads and grille from Toru. Again thanks!

Which one is the VRG?

[Ivory8g]

http://www.myttcar.com/cars_images/1189096096_offer_galant4.jpg

^VRG

[9G]

offtopic, how many peeps has the vrg bumper. like 2?

[Reelax]

offtopic, how many peeps has the vrg bumper. like 2?

i can remember at least 4-5 off the top of my head.

[Ivory8g]

I only know of 3

[IceDouTGaLanT]

more then 3 for sure, prob like 4-5 like reelax said

[dknight3]

only 4-5? i thought everybody in Europe had one? lol..

[Ivory8g]

LOL it think he meant people that converted since we were talking about Galante's jdm conversion.......

[dronesurfboards]

Galante. doing the conversion isnt that hard, if you got the right tools you can do the whole front conversion in 1 day. its just a bitch getting everything perfect. Just take your time. Oh yeah quick note....only listen to the guys with the sigs with conversions....they know if mods are needed or not.

[Reelax]

...Oh yeah quick note....only listen to the guys with the sigs with conversions....they know if mods are needed or not.

haha, i don't know if you can tell from my sig!

but here's a pic of my modified crossbar and front end blackout:

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff8/ooreelaxoo/131716726533_0_2.jpg

[Galante]

Galante. doing the conversion isnt that hard, if you got the right tools you can do the whole front conversion in 1 day. its just a bitch getting everything perfect. Just take your time. Oh yeah quick note....only listen to the guys with the sigs with conversions....they know if mods are needed or not.


I have to buy a grinder to cut the crash bar 45* both sides.. Are there any other tools I would need aside from the basic wrenches for removing bolts?

[dronesurfboards]

Youre gonna need something to trim the radiator support for the headlights, and to cut the grill support since you have an 02 like mine. besides that and your usual 10mm, 12mm, and i think 17mm sockets, wire cutters, and probably a philips screwdriver. Nothing major.

[dknight3]

yea pretty much just a grinder, and maybe a hack saw.

[Galante]

Youre gonna need something to trim the radiator support for the headlights, and to cut the grill support since you have an 02 like mine. besides that and your usual 10mm, 12mm, and i think 17mm sockets, wire cutters, and probably a philips screwdriver. Nothing major.

Thanks dude.. Still looking around for old or new style bumper though.. waiting for Trig.

[SleekGTZ]

Yeah bro, Toru is the man! Post pics of the install progress ok.


i can remember at least 4-5 off the top of my head.

Hmmm, lets see, I guess thats about right if you also count sillyasians.

[Galante]

We'll do..

[Galante]

I already recieved the heads and grille... New VR4 Bumper on its way to Canada..

[spdracr]

Hey ray, what did u cut at the bottom of the crash bar ?? I can't really tell from the pic

[Dominicano]

^^^^^x2, I did not need to cut the bottom of my crash bar when I had the newer style bumper

[RAZ_76]

Hey ray, what did u cut at the bottom of the crash bar ?? I can't really tell from the pic


Did you mean why??

Well because the bumper fits on better that way but I mainly did that because when I had the old style bumper.

[Galante]

Since I'm getting the new style bumper I don't need to cut the bottom of the crash bar?

[RAZ_76]

You might not but I did a little because it was touching the top of the opening on the bottom, I didn't want it to rub all that plastic over time.

[Galante]

Guys here some pics of my install...JDM heads and Grille..

Still waiting of the bumper and skirt to arrive..

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg151/willamette21/JDM/Picture001.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg151/willamette21/JDM/Picture002.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg151/willamette21/JDM/Picture003.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg151/willamette21/JDM/Picture004.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg151/willamette21/JDM/Picture005.jpg
http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg151/willamette21/JDM/Picture007.jpg

[Galante]

How would I be able to do this?

http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/gg151/willamette21/JDM/Picture006.jpg

The condenser line is blocking the light bulb housing?

[njjfudge]

Push the A/C line back but be very careful not to break or crimp it.

[RAZ_76]

You need to trim the headlight . You can push the AC line but risk a leak. Those lines have to sit pretty straight or they will leak.

[Galante]

What was your work around for this aside from pushing it which might cause a leak?

[Galante]

You need to trim the headlight . You can push the AC line but risk a leak. Those lines have to sit pretty straight or they will leak.

I already trimmed the headlight from the bottom.. But now the A/C line is on the way..

[ZigenScarface]

i have vrg with lip

[9G]

^^ no you dont. pics?

[Ivory8g]

i have vrg with lip

^ highly doubt it.

Galante: so far so good man.

[RAZ_76]

I already trimmed the headlight from the bottom.. But now the A/C line is on the way..

I meant the rear of the headlight where the AC line is touching. I didn't have that issue because I deleted my AC system.

[QnzMostWanted]

^ highly doubt it.

Galante: so far so good man.


lol actually he does, if ulook up one of the floyd bennet ny meet pics u'll see his car lol

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q189/01Galant01/HPIM0891.jpg
^^Zigen's car

[Galante]

I meant the rear of the headlight where the AC line is touching. I didn't have that issue because I deleted my AC system.

I did that.. After doing the A/C line get closer to the housing after install..Making it even impossible to put the bulb socket.

How would I be able to get rid of the GAP between the heads and grille? Seems to me that there's a gap on the left headlight and grille.

[spdracr]

thats a very old pic denver

here is a pic of his car from april when we met at albert's house

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee131/spdracr83/NY%20Mini%20Meet%2004-20-08/014.jpg

[spdracr]

I did that.. After doing the A/C line get closer to the housing after install..Making it even impossible to put the bulb socket.

How would I be able to get rid of the GAP between the heads and grille? Seems to me that there's a gap on the left headlight and grille.

i was just about to say why do u have a gap on the one side and no gap on the other side


Did you mean why??

Well because the bumper fits on better that way but I mainly did that because when I had the old style bumper.


no i meant what did u cut ?? but i took a close look at the pics and i noticed that u cut the bottom part of the crash bar which is a good idea since it would make an intercooler fit better in that case

[RAZ_76]

If you want the grill to fit closer then the headlight has to go in more.

[ZigenScarface]

lol theres pics for ya guys

[ZigenScarface]

eww i had 2 piece glass heads in the first pic.. shame on u for postin that denver =p

[QnzMostWanted]

yeah but u had cool projector fogs :D

[RAZ_76]

Don't you guys think it's little rude to jack this guys build thread? I think it is.

[QnzMostWanted]

um, its not in the builds section, so therefore its not a build thread

[ZigenScarface]

i still got them. and galante u got PM

[Ivory8g]

oOoOo.....i did see that car before. I remember it looking like the second pic. good deal!

[9G]

vr-gs are catching up.

[ZigenScarface]

why did u guys doubt me? o.O
ive had it for a while...

[Ivory8g]

why did u guys doubt me? o.O
ive had it for a while...

i never placed the name with that car. dont know why lol

[dknight3]

push the ac lines in, no leak.

[Galante]

If you want the grill to fit closer then the headlight has to go in more.

Ray, you are right. I will have to tighten the bolt which I used to push the passenger side head in more.

[Galante]

push the ac lines in, no leak.

I'll try to do that carefully..

[ZigenScarface]

yes be VERY carefull.. i moved mine slightly just so i could put the harness on but as of the bulb i put it in b4 i put the headlight onto the car

[QnzMostWanted]

Mitsu is so weird, on my 99 that A/C line is turned further away from teh headlights so there is no clearance issues

[Galante]

I wish I had a 99 model.. But I have to live with what I have and do a work around.. I just hope it doesn't leak..

[Galante]

i still got them. and galante u got PM

PM replied..

[Masken]

Where im from our G's are JDM stock and i guess we are lucky to have them that way. You guys pay alot to convert them to JDM. How much does that cost you?

[Galante]

It costs me $1020 so far for the new style bumper, heads, grille, skirts.. paint not included.

[Masken]

OMG Thats alot of money man! Do you get OEM JDM stuff for that kind of money or are they aftermarket stuff?

[Ivory8g]

oem...

[Galante]

omg Thats Alot Of Money Man! Do You Get Oem Jdm Stuff For That Kind Of Money Or Are They Aftermarket Stuff?

Oem..

[Masken]

Okey thats good news... =)

[Reelax]

OMG Thats alot of money man! Do you get OEM JDM stuff for that kind of money or are they aftermarket stuff?

JDM aftermarket cost much MORE than JDM OE... a JDM aftermarket FG full bumper (VOGUE, DOLPHIN, LIBERAL etc.) alone, imported into the US, costs more than an entire JDM OE front end conversion (bumper, headlights, grill, fogs, install, paint, etc).

[mar08052]

does anyone know what the piece is for on the bottom of the old style vr-4 front. Drones has a pic in his sig but I just wanted to know what its for

[polishmafia]

Not sure who Drones is, but I think you're talking about the cover for the tow hook.

[dronesurfboards]

hes talking about the skid plate on the bottom i think

[mar08052]

thanks

[dronesurfboards]

thanks

anytime.