Fix for a cracked lip?

blackwood · 06-06-2022, 11:02 AM

My lip has a decent crack from the bottom up to where the fog light section splits off.

I live around a bunch of speed humps, so I'm not set on keeping my lip pristine, but I'm wondering if there is a type of splitter I can get that will kind of reinforce my cracked lip without adding too much. Any tips / recommendations are welcome!

Brian86 · 06-06-2022, 01:11 PM

Zip Tie Stitches.

+10 street cred points.

blackwood · 06-06-2022, 01:28 PM

This seems like a good idea to me. Thank you so much for the tip!

Found this video, gonna try something like this and post the results!

https://youtu.be/M6hlVoX0B_k

Buug959 · 06-06-2022, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian86

Zip Tie Stitches.

+10 street cred points.

We used to call them Frankenstitches.

Daaaaaaaan · 06-06-2022, 11:54 PM

You're lucky because black zip ties are usually a bit more UV resistant and they won't get too much sun on the underside of the car. Plus you garage park. Try to find UV resistant zip ties if you can (but I think there's a lot of counterfeiting/fraud on this front...).

Drill a larger circle at the point of the end of the crack to relieve pressure to it doesn't continue to crack, see here:

And make sure you do the zip tie job on both sides to keep everything symmetric!

tcphoto · 06-07-2022, 10:01 AM

That is not a lip, it's the bumper and I doubt that you can fix it satisfactory. I would look into replacing it completely which will likely be around $800 with paint.

blackwood · 06-07-2022, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcphoto

That is not a lip, it's the bumper and I doubt that you can fix it satisfactory. I would look into replacing it completely which will likely be around $800 with paint.

How do you define satisfactory in the context of a car that is mine and not yours exactly?

Wolf 335 · 06-07-2022, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcphoto

That is not a lip, it's the bumper and I doubt that you can fix it satisfactory. I would look into replacing it completely which will likely be around $800 with paint.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackwood

How do you define satisfactory in the context of a car that is mine and not yours exactly?

He defines as in it will look like complete shit job if you do those zip tie stitches. I cant even beleve you would even consider this.

This is something that gets done on a whim when youre in a pinched situation, until you get home. Ie track.

There is a repair method where you can apply a heated zigzag wire along the crack from the BACK side of the bumper.

https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Vers...NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Name: weld.JPG
Views: 572
Size: 22.1 KB

blackwood · 06-07-2022, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

He defines as in it will look like complete shit job if you do those zip tie stitches. I cant even beleve you would even consider this.

This is something that gets done on a whim when youre in a pinched situation, until you get home. Ie track.

There is a repair method where you can apply a heated zigzag wire along the crack from the BACK side of the bumper.

https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Vers...NsaWNrPXRydWU=
Attachment 2903033

I've been driving around with a big crack in it ever since I got it, so saying it's unbelievable to zip tie it, seems like a bit of an over reaction to me.

But yeah, the heated zigzag wire seems like a great repair idea.

tcphoto · 06-07-2022, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackwood

How do you define satisfactory in the context of a car that is mine and not yours exactly?

Do you normally use duct tape to mend exterior damage or blemishes? If so, perhaps you will find zip ties or duct tape satisfactory. If not, the bumper will need to be replaced.

blackwood · 06-07-2022, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcphoto

Do you normally use duct tape to mend exterior damage or blemishes? If so, perhaps you will find zip ties or duct tape satisfactory. If not, the bumper will need to be replaced.

Yeah, obviously replacing the bumper is the ideal solution.

Thank you so much for your wonderful knowledge. I would have never guessed that. Such a valuable contribution.

tcphoto · 06-07-2022, 07:32 PM

Your welcome

blackwood · 06-07-2022, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcphoto

Your welcome

*You're

tcphoto · 06-07-2022, 08:40 PM

Thank you

Wolf 335 · 06-07-2022, 08:45 PM

Guys we are here to help each other. Let’s not turn this into a pissing match.

blackwood · 06-08-2022, 09:16 AM

Well, looks like this is going to the backburner anyways, got water pump code 378F yesterday so I'll be replacing the water pump / thermostat this weekend probably.

C4maro · 06-08-2022, 11:38 AM

Vivek. · 06-08-2022, 02:39 PM

Glad you haven't drilled it yet. Take it off (not that hard, required for headlight bulb replacement) and use the two-part black plastic weld along with some scrap plastic to repair it from the inside. It'll look better than zip ties, last longer, and take the same amount of time.

blackwood · 06-08-2022, 03:10 PM

Nice! Thanks for the tip Vivek.

blackwood · 06-09-2022, 03:09 PM

New water pump and thermostat install was a pain, but it's done!

Wolf 335 · 06-13-2022, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackwood

New water pump and thermostat install was a pain, but it's done!

Whats the plan for the bumper?

blackwood · 06-13-2022, 10:02 AM

Well, after installing the water pump and thermostat my reservoir started leaking so I ordered a new one and installed that yesterday and finally temperatures are good and there's no leaking.

For the bumper I'm still deciding between the hot stapler that you recommended or the JB plastic weld that Vivek. recommended.

06-06-2022, 11:02 AM	#1
blackwood Private 37 Rep 64 Posts Drives: BMW 335i xDrive Coupe 6MT 2012 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Norman, OK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 335ix [10.00]	Fix for a cracked lip? My lip has a decent crack from the bottom up to where the fog light section splits off. I live around a bunch of speed humps, so I'm not set on keeping my lip pristine, but I'm wondering if there is a type of splitter I can get that will kind of reinforce my cracked lip without adding too much. Any tips / recommendations are welcome! Last edited by blackwood; 06-06-2022 at 11:04 AM.. Reason: I messed up the image links
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06-06-2022, 01:11 PM	#2
Brian86 Captain 637 Rep 766 Posts Drives: e36 M3, e91 325xi, N50 Xterra Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	Zip Tie Stitches. +10 street cred points. __________________ Sometimes a bolt is just a bolt.
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06-06-2022, 01:28 PM	#3
blackwood Private 37 Rep 64 Posts Drives: BMW 335i xDrive Coupe 6MT 2012 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Norman, OK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 335ix [10.00]	This seems like a good idea to me. Thank you so much for the tip! Found this video, gonna try something like this and post the results! https://youtu.be/M6hlVoX0B_k
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06-06-2022, 11:54 PM	#5
Daaaaaaaan Private First Class 88 Rep 161 Posts Drives: 08 323i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton iTrader: (0)	You're lucky because black zip ties are usually a bit more UV resistant and they won't get too much sun on the underside of the car. Plus you garage park. Try to find UV resistant zip ties if you can (but I think there's a lot of counterfeiting/fraud on this front...). Drill a larger circle at the point of the end of the crack to relieve pressure to it doesn't continue to crack, see here: And make sure you do the zip tie job on both sides to keep everything symmetric! Last edited by Daaaaaaaan; 06-07-2022 at 12:00 AM..
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06-07-2022, 10:01 AM	#6
tcphoto Brigadier General 3531 Rep 3,046 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	That is not a lip, it's the bumper and I doubt that you can fix it satisfactory. I would look into replacing it completely which will likely be around $800 with paint. __________________
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06-07-2022, 07:32 PM	#12
tcphoto Brigadier General 3531 Rep 3,046 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	Your welcome __________________
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06-07-2022, 08:40 PM	#14
tcphoto Brigadier General 3531 Rep 3,046 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	Thank you __________________
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06-07-2022, 08:45 PM	#15
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2341 Rep 3,537 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA - Greater Toronto Area iTrader: (0)	Guys we are here to help each other. Let’s not turn this into a pissing match.
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06-08-2022, 09:16 AM	#16
blackwood Private 37 Rep 64 Posts Drives: BMW 335i xDrive Coupe 6MT 2012 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Norman, OK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 335ix [10.00]	Well, looks like this is going to the backburner anyways, got water pump code 378F yesterday so I'll be replacing the water pump / thermostat this weekend probably.
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06-08-2022, 11:38 AM	#17
C4maro Private First Class 81 Rep 184 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)
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06-08-2022, 03:10 PM	#19
blackwood Private 37 Rep 64 Posts Drives: BMW 335i xDrive Coupe 6MT 2012 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Norman, OK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 335ix [10.00]	Nice! Thanks for the tip Vivek.
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06-09-2022, 03:09 PM	#20
blackwood Private 37 Rep 64 Posts Drives: BMW 335i xDrive Coupe 6MT 2012 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Norman, OK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 335ix [10.00]	New water pump and thermostat install was a pain, but it's done!
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06-13-2022, 10:02 AM	#22
blackwood Private 37 Rep 64 Posts Drives: BMW 335i xDrive Coupe 6MT 2012 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Norman, OK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 335ix [10.00]	Well, after installing the water pump and thermostat my reservoir started leaking so I ordered a new one and installed that yesterday and finally temperatures are good and there's no leaking. For the bumper I'm still deciding between the hot stapler that you recommended or the JB plastic weld that Vivek. recommended.
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