How to delete / blend bumper reflectors?

eljay · 03-16-2021, 02:40 PM

I am starting to prep my front bumper for paint and would like to delete the amber reflectors.

My question is whether I can use the actual reflectors as a backing and just epoxy them in place and fill in some bumper filler on top of them OR should I get some plastic pieces cut and fill in the spots with those instead and then fill/level on top?

Would bumper filler hold well on top of the markers? Or would this create an opportunity for a crack in that spot in the future?

Thanks!

neilvan · 03-16-2021, 02:48 PM

When I got my M-sport bumper repainted; I had my reflectors filled. He used old bumper pieces cut to fit and used bumper bondo/filler etc to match it and adhere it. It wasn't cheap but it looks factory and for repainting an M-sport bumper; worth it to me

I did a similar thing to my brothers E90, Just removed the stock reflector, sanded/primed and sprayed some colour match paint. After some wet sanding it looks pretty damn good for the super low $$$ cost of it.

eljay · 03-16-2021, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neilvan

When I got my M-sport bumper repainted; I had my reflectors filled. He used old bumper pieces cut to fit and used bumper bondo/filler etc to match it and adhere it. It wasn't cheap but it looks factory and for repainting an M-sport bumper; worth it to me

I did a similar thing to my brothers E90, Just removed the stock reflector, sanded/primed and sprayed some colour match paint. After some wet sanding it looks pretty damn good for the super low $$$ cost of it.

Thanks for the quick reply.
So filling it in with some bumper plastic is better than keeping the reflectors in place I take it.

tcphoto · 03-16-2021, 11:01 PM

The other option is to buy matching body colored reflectors, the previous owner of my car did just that.

Emilime75 · 03-16-2021, 11:51 PM

The ideal method is to plastiweld a filler piece of the same PU material into the opening, then use light filler to smooth it out.
Just going over the factory reflector with filler will crack, either on its own or if it ever flexes for whatever reason.

eljay · 03-17-2021, 08:58 AM

Makes sense.
OK, I'll try to source some old bumper to cut out the filler pieces.

Yotaismygame · 03-18-2021, 11:11 AM

I've just used tint overlays on a few cars in the past. Looks great. This was on black cars though so they blend in pretty well.

03-16-2021, 02:40 PM	#1
eljay Colonel 1444 Rep 2,127 Posts Drives: ///M + E91 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NS iTrader: (1)	How to delete / blend bumper reflectors? I am starting to prep my front bumper for paint and would like to delete the amber reflectors. My question is whether I can use the actual reflectors as a backing and just epoxy them in place and fill in some bumper filler on top of them OR should I get some plastic pieces cut and fill in the spots with those instead and then fill/level on top? Would bumper filler hold well on top of the markers? Or would this create an opportunity for a crack in that spot in the future? Thanks!
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03-16-2021, 02:48 PM	#2
neilvan Major 858 Rep 1,363 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i M-Sport 6MT RWD Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E61 530xi [0.00] 1993 Mazda Miata [0.00] 2009 BMW E90 335i [0.00]	When I got my M-sport bumper repainted; I had my reflectors filled. He used old bumper pieces cut to fit and used bumper bondo/filler etc to match it and adhere it. It wasn't cheap but it looks factory and for repainting an M-sport bumper; worth it to me I did a similar thing to my brothers E90, Just removed the stock reflector, sanded/primed and sprayed some colour match paint. After some wet sanding it looks pretty damn good for the super low $$$ cost of it.
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03-16-2021, 11:01 PM	#4
tcphoto Brigadier General 3537 Rep 3,049 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	The other option is to buy matching body colored reflectors, the previous owner of my car did just that. __________________
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03-16-2021, 11:51 PM	#5
Emilime75 Colonel 1209 Rep 2,476 Posts Drives: 2010 335i E92 LeMans Blue Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Merica! iTrader: (1)	The ideal method is to plastiweld a filler piece of the same PU material into the opening, then use light filler to smooth it out. Just going over the factory reflector with filler will crack, either on its own or if it ever flexes for whatever reason.
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03-17-2021, 08:58 AM	#6
eljay Colonel 1444 Rep 2,127 Posts Drives: ///M + E91 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NS iTrader: (1)	Makes sense. OK, I'll try to source some old bumper to cut out the filler pieces.
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03-18-2021, 11:11 AM	#7
Yotaismygame Lieutenant 130 Rep 496 Posts Drives: 2008 335i e92 (Beam) Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: OR iTrader: (1)	I've just used tint overlays on a few cars in the past. Looks great. This was on black cars though so they blend in pretty well.
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