Removing front bumper

[topher]

Hi, can anyone tell me how to remove the front bumper? Is it reasonaly straight forward? It's craked in about three places and I'm thinking of trying to repair the GRP. Also any suggested tips for the mending would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Paul.P]

Main tip, if you don't know what your doing with fibreglass, find someone who does !, it ain't simple like steel, ie bung load filler in, sand till smooth, then paint, if you don't do fibreglass right it'll come back to haunt you !

[muley]

To remove the front bumper you will have to remove the wheel arch liners, or at least the front part of them to gain access to some of the front bumper fixings. Don't be surprised if the fixing bolts for the liners are rusted solid - I had to drill out or grind off ALL the fixings on my liners. The spray shops I've spoken to prefer to spray the bumper whilst it is off the car - if you can take it off you can at least save having to pay for that part of the job.

In my case I also had to drill out the fixings for the indicator/side lights, so it can be a fun job (not!)

As Paul P says; there is an art to fibre-glassing and filling - particularly if the gel coat is damaged.

Cheers

Jim

[topher]

Thanks both. Sounds like it's not an easy job fixing the GRP. I've got some experience of fibreglass (but not masses). It might pay me to get it fixed professionally once I have removed it from the car. I'm new to the elan game but it seems like it might be difficult to locate a replacement front bumper.

[gtm100]

Are you sure it is glass fibre? Mine is RRIM (resin reinforced injection moulding) or was it changed for later cars?
Luckily my son has all the kit for repairing various plastics for motorcycle fairings and I was able to repair it successfully, even though it was nearly torn in half.
If it's fibreglass, the answer in one word is preparation, preparation, preparation, or you could buy a new (copy?) one from SJ sportscars.
George

[gtm100]

Are you sure it is glass fibre? Mine is RRIM (resin reinforced injection moulding) or was it changed for later cars?
Luckily my son has all the kit for repairing various plastics for motorcycle fairings and I was able to repair it successfully, even though it was nearly torn in half.
If it's fibreglass, the answer in one word is preparation, preparation, preparation, or you could buy a new (copy?) one from SJ sportscars.
George

OUCH! I thought I had sent a Private Message. Now I see two posts. Can anyone tell me how to delete a post? I can only see Edit Post

[Monty]

George,

You need to check u`r PM`s, sent u a reply days ago but u haven`t read it