Hi all, finally got my front bumper back from a mates garage, and just test fitted it...

Before:


After:


I don't know what you lot think but in my eyes thats a big improvement over the old one. Just have to wait for the rear to be done and then it can go on for good. The fogs will be used legally so don't fret!

A problem I have though is the passenger side retaining bolt is spinning round and not unscrewing:


Heres a pic taken from the inside:
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c321/col7104/Punto/IMAG0539.jpg

The gold collet seems to be fixed onto the wing on the other side and the bolt screws into it. On this side however it is like the collet has become unattached and is just spinning, meaning I'll probably have to take the wing off to get to it to unscrew it

That wing is a replacement, I know because it happened when it belonged to my sister, and considering they didn't lacquer it it's probably a cheapo pattern wing, maybe thats why this collet isn't attached?

Next up, body colour the side bumpstrips to go with the bumpers, or remove them completely, I work at a supermarket though and have to share a carpark with idiots who don't know how to open doors so maybe I should colour code them.

Looks good matey,nice job!!!!

(",)

looking good!

that's my next job... lol

what's the rear bumper like? still the matt black?

Yeah it's still matt black lol. Seems we both need what each other has

Thanks for the comments, I love the look of it, nice to see others appreciate it. Early days yet though!

Got a post in the members motors area now, just to show what I got at the mo, enjoy.

BTW, i really like what you've done with the new style fiat badge on your punto. I know it looks a lot like I'm copying your style, but you can't beat good taste! How is it done? The mounting lugs/screws the same?

it's really easy, just have to cut off the locating pins on the new badge and it's the same bolt holding it on. couldn't be easier.

the rear bumper bolt nut things on the rear of my mk1 when I did a bodycoloured bumper upgrade (looks sooo so much tidier doesn't it) were plastic little lugs that were square and just pushed into a square hole in the wing, buy a new one from fiat, can't be more than a £1

is it just me or does the front bumper look like theres not quite enough black, and too glosssy

if you do a search you'll pul up my 100+ post saga of hell with paint colours and finishs, followed by the first day my bumpers were fitted they and the bonnet adn the windscreen, adn the roof, and the wing and the a pillars got stripped of hundreds of bits of paint from a gritter , and three weeks later a bitch in another uni flat drove into my car and wrecked it

Yeah I heard about the demise faster, really is a shame. If you believe in karma you got a lot of good luck coming! Or has that come in the form of a volvo with a big turbo

The punto was dirty, hence it isnt shining quite so brightly as the brand new bumper lol. When it's had a wash it should match alot better. That and my bonnet is pretty pebbledashed.

Anyone have any ideas why the guy who did the bumper told me not to use any form of wax on it, and even to stop using zipwax shampoo on it. I could understand for the first month or so, but ever? I'll ask him when I next see him if you guys don't know.

Where are you getting these colour coded bumpers form? i have been looking for some for ages but cant seem to find any apart from Bodykit ones

Well first I got one in met blue off ebay, it arrives cracked (it had been previously repaired too by the looks of it), so I sent it back saying it was cracked and I didn't want it (after I stupidly left pos feedback because it was wrapped up when I left it!). That was in October, haven't got my money back, seller was helpful and said he was chasing the couriers up because apparently they still have it. His gone quiet now that I've informed him i've reported the matter to ebay. No sign from ebay either though, except for a (probably) automated email saying they are looking into it

So then I thought, f it, i'll buy new, makes it easier for my mate in terms of prep, and cheaper (ready to spray, no rubbing down for him/me to do).

http://www.micksgarage.co.uk/ProdDe...&ProdKey=A0DC9B29-C01C-4434-950B-8F09504A98E7

So i bought that, widemouth version because they look cool Had to cut the fog holes myself, but thats no biggie. Also had to do some very minor filling with some shallow scratches it got on either side during carriage.

Carted it over to my mates garage in Basildon, where it was primed (again) and sprayed.

I'm not buying a new rear bumper, just spraying the one on there. Also, I realise now that you can spray the non primed ones off that site (with the uneven surface), just by adding a layer of high build primer. I know from modelling though that the thicker the layer of paint, the more likely its going to come off! But thats what I'm doing on the rear anyway.

Looks sweet mate

I love the wide mouth bumper and the fogs, really is a great addition to the front end of one sweet motor

Keep us updated

They looking great!!!
was it hard to get the bumpers off? how long did it take, really want to do it to mine, but dont have a drive way and think my car be alright outside my house with no bumpers :s
did u just take them off clean them up, prime and paint? could it be done over one weekend? what does it matter what black gloss spray u have? i alrdy have some plastic black gloss spray, if i primed it could i just use that?

Matt

I bought the front bumper seperately and got it sprayed at a bodyshop. I see too many cars round here with paint peeling off the bumpers to know to get it done professionally.

For the rear I was going to spray the orignal rear one, but the bumpstrips are different to the front, the S ones seem to be flush, whereas the higher spec ones are raised. Anyone looking would notice it so I'll probabaly end up buying a new rear too.

The bumpers are easy to get off. If you have a haynes it's described in there. For the front you take the arch liners screws out, pull it aside, get up there with an 8mm hex i think and unscrew on either side (I had troubles described above but you shouldn't ecnounter this). Then theres 4 along the bottom of the bumper and 4 on the top that you remove last. Then pull the bumper away from the car...and burn it or whatever

Ah i seeeeee, well im waiting on a front bumper addon hehe so gonan sray that 1st, when that is all done and ready then ill do the front bumper and such and then rear, im going to do it myself i think i have a spray room/ spare room in the house and sprayied all my other bits in there got all fans and covers in there so its pretty handy thanks mum! lol but yeah going to clean it all prime it and spray all myself so hope it goes well if it looks shocking ill take it somewhere to get it done now as it has black to black on it from a month or so again whats the best way to get all that off and such use thinner? white sprit?

I'm not sure on white spriti, I think it leaves a residue. I think meths doesn't leave residues, not totally sure how safe it is for plastics. Someone on here will know. I'd give it a good wash with washing up liquid or something before it comes off the car. Then go over the whole lot with those abrasive scouring pads. I used red and green, you can get a pack from Halfords. Aim to get the shine out of it, but make sure you don't go too coarse and make it 'hairy'. Get plastic 'etching' primer to eat into the plastic and form a good bond for painting. Faster 4 tec will give a more comprehensive description I'm sure.

Also I would spray the bumper cover at the same time as the bumper, ie. with it attached and ready to go.

ah i see what your saying then yeah ill clean it all up and prime them, then ill spray them both at the same time , and ill have to pull out some of that primer probs the best move oh yeah cant wait till it all comes together