TA Front Bumper Fitment
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TA Front Bumper Fitment
Hi to guys who have bought Precision Porsche TA front bumper,
I've seen all the super pics of your cars with the TA front bumpers from Precision, and they are awesome! I have myself taken delivery of a TA front bumper from Precision, and just had it installed at a local bodyshop (which has no prevous experience fixing a Porsche).
2 problems:
(1) the gaps above the 2 side markers between the front bumper and the main body of the car are too wide. So, my installer had to stick a thick black rubber strip on each these gaps to "camouflage" them. This resulted in a thick black strip running along the side of the front bumper from the headlights to the front wheel arch. But from the pictures I see of your cars fitted with the front bumper, there does not seem to be any problem with the fit and alignment of the front bumper with the side markers. I am just wondering if I was unlucky to get one of those badly-done bumpers that escaped QC inspection at Tony's or it was because the installer failed to do something. Appreciate if anyone can help and let me know if they had the same problems with their Precision Porsche bumper. Mine is a 996 C4S.
(2) the installer said that bubbles will form easily on the fibre glass bumper due to the heat from the sun, and thus this will result in uneven surface. I'm based in sunny Singapore and can't avoid the sun. Anyone there has the same problem with the bumper during the summer, or is my installer just trying to find an excuse for his bad paintwork?
thanks!
I've seen all the super pics of your cars with the TA front bumpers from Precision, and they are awesome! I have myself taken delivery of a TA front bumper from Precision, and just had it installed at a local bodyshop (which has no prevous experience fixing a Porsche).
2 problems:
(1) the gaps above the 2 side markers between the front bumper and the main body of the car are too wide. So, my installer had to stick a thick black rubber strip on each these gaps to "camouflage" them. This resulted in a thick black strip running along the side of the front bumper from the headlights to the front wheel arch. But from the pictures I see of your cars fitted with the front bumper, there does not seem to be any problem with the fit and alignment of the front bumper with the side markers. I am just wondering if I was unlucky to get one of those badly-done bumpers that escaped QC inspection at Tony's or it was because the installer failed to do something. Appreciate if anyone can help and let me know if they had the same problems with their Precision Porsche bumper. Mine is a 996 C4S.
(2) the installer said that bubbles will form easily on the fibre glass bumper due to the heat from the sun, and thus this will result in uneven surface. I'm based in sunny Singapore and can't avoid the sun. Anyone there has the same problem with the bumper during the summer, or is my installer just trying to find an excuse for his bad paintwork?
thanks!
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Hi Rg04,
Post a pic if you can. That may paint a better picture. From my experience, if the body shop took the plastic piece off that mounts under the fender, the top sides of the part won't line up properly. The bumper needs that slotted part as a guide. I've heard of installers thinking they should remove those factory slotted parts when installing an aftermarket part because fiberglass is a little thicker than the OEM plastic bumper. As for the bubbling, I think your body shop is telling you a lie. I've had fiberglass bumper and spoilers for years here in Florida and have never had that happen. I've seen one friend's car with a turbo look bumper get some waves in it, but it was a very cheap/poor quality part from the start and you could tell. Good fiberglass resins that are made for exterior parts on cars, boats, etc. will have UV protection made into them, so such a problem will not occur.
Hope this helps.
Post a pic if you can. That may paint a better picture. From my experience, if the body shop took the plastic piece off that mounts under the fender, the top sides of the part won't line up properly. The bumper needs that slotted part as a guide. I've heard of installers thinking they should remove those factory slotted parts when installing an aftermarket part because fiberglass is a little thicker than the OEM plastic bumper. As for the bubbling, I think your body shop is telling you a lie. I've had fiberglass bumper and spoilers for years here in Florida and have never had that happen. I've seen one friend's car with a turbo look bumper get some waves in it, but it was a very cheap/poor quality part from the start and you could tell. Good fiberglass resins that are made for exterior parts on cars, boats, etc. will have UV protection made into them, so such a problem will not occur.
Hope this helps.
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tony only has one mold for his TA bumpers, they all come out exactly the same.. i've gone thru three already and all three fit perfectly... it's your bodyshop who needs to do a better job fitting the bumper... i would check your intake vents to see if it needs to be trimmed in certain areas for better fitment... and for the bubbling, it only bubbles if you don't prep the surface well enough..
your bodyshop seems to be giving you lots of excuses... lol
your bodyshop seems to be giving you lots of excuses... lol
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As stated above...and to add..no two cars are the same and no two bumpers are the same. It is the body shop that needs to marry the pieces. They need to be very competent. The fiber glass is prepped properly will have no issues. Perhaps you need another body shop?
What he said... my body shop did extensive work to a TA replica bumper for my MK I 996, including cutting the fiberglass, re-fiberglassing, building up the GT2 grill so the gaps between the hood and the grill was perfect, etc. Oh, and my replica bumper WAS NOT from Precision Porsche.
Last edited by Doug996InKC; Jun 18, 2009 at 09:54 AM.
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Rg04,
I'm sorry to hear that you are having some issues with the bumper. Please feel free to give us a call (or have your body shop give us a call) to discuss the fitment of the bumper. Tony is always open to field and help answer questions related to install.
With that said, Angldrkns9 is correct that we only use one mold to make these parts and actually I just finished installing one of our TA bumpers to a local 6speeder (picked up last night actually) and there is absolutely no gap between the bumper and the front fender on the side.
In fact, I am very curious to see how the bumper was mounted up with that gap there b/c if any one area is off, nothing will line up. Did the shop trim a lot off the bumper? There should not be that much trimming that needs to be done to make the bumper fit.
Great points! In fact, the only modifications that body shop should have done to the car is remove the front bumper and trim the reinforcement bar and that's it. He does not need to remove or modify anything else.
Like many have already said, "bubbles" (in which I think they mean little pin holes in the fiberglass) will have to be taken care of during the prep phase. If you take any fiberglass peice out of the box and shoot primer and paint, you will have issues. With that said, unfortunately, all fiberglass parts needs prep before paint.
Another thing to note is there are a lot of other variables that play into the fitment. Was your car involved in an accident before? Any slight adjustment to the radiator, radiator brackets, etc will throw it off. Before we ship out a TA front bumper, we fit all the pieces (top air intake, radiator splitters, etc) onto the bumper and then send it out to ensure proper fitment.
If you can take pics for us to see, I'm sure we can figure it out.
Edwin
I'm sorry to hear that you are having some issues with the bumper. Please feel free to give us a call (or have your body shop give us a call) to discuss the fitment of the bumper. Tony is always open to field and help answer questions related to install.
With that said, Angldrkns9 is correct that we only use one mold to make these parts and actually I just finished installing one of our TA bumpers to a local 6speeder (picked up last night actually) and there is absolutely no gap between the bumper and the front fender on the side.
In fact, I am very curious to see how the bumper was mounted up with that gap there b/c if any one area is off, nothing will line up. Did the shop trim a lot off the bumper? There should not be that much trimming that needs to be done to make the bumper fit.
Hi Rg04,
Post a pic if you can. That may paint a better picture. From my experience, if the body shop took the plastic piece off that mounts under the fender, the top sides of the part won't line up properly. The bumper needs that slotted part as a guide. I've heard of installers thinking they should remove those factory slotted parts when installing an aftermarket part because fiberglass is a little thicker than the OEM plastic bumper. As for the bubbling, I think your body shop is telling you a lie. I've had fiberglass bumper and spoilers for years here in Florida and have never had that happen. I've seen one friend's car with a turbo look bumper get some waves in it, but it was a very cheap/poor quality part from the start and you could tell. Good fiberglass resins that are made for exterior parts on cars, boats, etc. will have UV protection made into them, so such a problem will not occur.
Hope this helps.
Post a pic if you can. That may paint a better picture. From my experience, if the body shop took the plastic piece off that mounts under the fender, the top sides of the part won't line up properly. The bumper needs that slotted part as a guide. I've heard of installers thinking they should remove those factory slotted parts when installing an aftermarket part because fiberglass is a little thicker than the OEM plastic bumper. As for the bubbling, I think your body shop is telling you a lie. I've had fiberglass bumper and spoilers for years here in Florida and have never had that happen. I've seen one friend's car with a turbo look bumper get some waves in it, but it was a very cheap/poor quality part from the start and you could tell. Good fiberglass resins that are made for exterior parts on cars, boats, etc. will have UV protection made into them, so such a problem will not occur.
Hope this helps.
Like many have already said, "bubbles" (in which I think they mean little pin holes in the fiberglass) will have to be taken care of during the prep phase. If you take any fiberglass peice out of the box and shoot primer and paint, you will have issues. With that said, unfortunately, all fiberglass parts needs prep before paint.
Another thing to note is there are a lot of other variables that play into the fitment. Was your car involved in an accident before? Any slight adjustment to the radiator, radiator brackets, etc will throw it off. Before we ship out a TA front bumper, we fit all the pieces (top air intake, radiator splitters, etc) onto the bumper and then send it out to ensure proper fitment.
If you can take pics for us to see, I'm sure we can figure it out.
Edwin
Last edited by PrecisionPorsch; Jun 18, 2009 at 10:25 AM.
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Thanks to all ou helpful pple out there with your advice!
I hope that this thread is not misunderstood as flaming or diminishing PP's bumper in any way. In the first place, I decided on ordering from PP only after all the positive feedback and pictures posted by the wonderful pple on this forum. And I am sure all of you can't be wrong, given the passion you have for your cars.
That was why I posted my questions here to confirm whether you guys have the same problem. I just needed to pinpoint what went wrong, so that my installer can stop giving excuses for their shoddy work. It is disheartening, after going thru so much trouble and expenses, to bring the parts over to Singapore, only for an incompetent installer to mess up the whole thing.
However, just to answer some of the issues raised above:
(1) the factory slots for the bumper was not removed by my installer - in fact, they slotted the bumper right into the slot to hold it up properly (this should be the right way according to discussions in the other threads);
(2) my installer did trim the air intake vents just so that the bumper can go in properly.
(3) for the ripple effect, surprisingly, it is not obvious to me as my installer told me he had sand the bumper. It is just that he told me they may appear again due to weather. So, for me, this is no issue at the moment.
I will post some pictures once I have time over the weekend, and maybe you guys can give some valuable input. In the meantime, I shall be desperately seeking a "master" installer to help me solve the problems.
Cheers!
I hope that this thread is not misunderstood as flaming or diminishing PP's bumper in any way. In the first place, I decided on ordering from PP only after all the positive feedback and pictures posted by the wonderful pple on this forum. And I am sure all of you can't be wrong, given the passion you have for your cars.
That was why I posted my questions here to confirm whether you guys have the same problem. I just needed to pinpoint what went wrong, so that my installer can stop giving excuses for their shoddy work. It is disheartening, after going thru so much trouble and expenses, to bring the parts over to Singapore, only for an incompetent installer to mess up the whole thing.
However, just to answer some of the issues raised above:
(1) the factory slots for the bumper was not removed by my installer - in fact, they slotted the bumper right into the slot to hold it up properly (this should be the right way according to discussions in the other threads);
(2) my installer did trim the air intake vents just so that the bumper can go in properly.
(3) for the ripple effect, surprisingly, it is not obvious to me as my installer told me he had sand the bumper. It is just that he told me they may appear again due to weather. So, for me, this is no issue at the moment.
I will post some pictures once I have time over the weekend, and maybe you guys can give some valuable input. In the meantime, I shall be desperately seeking a "master" installer to help me solve the problems.
Cheers!
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,286
From: USA
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Thanks to all ou helpful pple out there with your advice!
I hope that this thread is not misunderstood as flaming or diminishing PP's bumper in any way. In the first place, I decided on ordering from PP only after all the positive feedback and pictures posted by the wonderful pple on this forum. And I am sure all of you can't be wrong, given the passion you have for your cars.
That was why I posted my questions here to confirm whether you guys have the same problem. I just needed to pinpoint what went wrong, so that my installer can stop giving excuses for their shoddy work. It is disheartening, after going thru so much trouble and expenses, to bring the parts over to Singapore, only for an incompetent installer to mess up the whole thing.
However, just to answer some of the issues raised above:
(1) the factory slots for the bumper was not removed by my installer - in fact, they slotted the bumper right into the slot to hold it up properly (this should be the right way according to discussions in the other threads);
(2) my installer did trim the air intake vents just so that the bumper can go in properly.
(3) for the ripple effect, surprisingly, it is not obvious to me as my installer told me he had sand the bumper. It is just that he told me they may appear again due to weather. So, for me, this is no issue at the moment.
I will post some pictures once I have time over the weekend, and maybe you guys can give some valuable input. In the meantime, I shall be desperately seeking a "master" installer to help me solve the problems.
Cheers!
I hope that this thread is not misunderstood as flaming or diminishing PP's bumper in any way. In the first place, I decided on ordering from PP only after all the positive feedback and pictures posted by the wonderful pple on this forum. And I am sure all of you can't be wrong, given the passion you have for your cars.
That was why I posted my questions here to confirm whether you guys have the same problem. I just needed to pinpoint what went wrong, so that my installer can stop giving excuses for their shoddy work. It is disheartening, after going thru so much trouble and expenses, to bring the parts over to Singapore, only for an incompetent installer to mess up the whole thing.
However, just to answer some of the issues raised above:
(1) the factory slots for the bumper was not removed by my installer - in fact, they slotted the bumper right into the slot to hold it up properly (this should be the right way according to discussions in the other threads);
(2) my installer did trim the air intake vents just so that the bumper can go in properly.
(3) for the ripple effect, surprisingly, it is not obvious to me as my installer told me he had sand the bumper. It is just that he told me they may appear again due to weather. So, for me, this is no issue at the moment.
I will post some pictures once I have time over the weekend, and maybe you guys can give some valuable input. In the meantime, I shall be desperately seeking a "master" installer to help me solve the problems.
Cheers!
we all just want to help get your car back in top shape 
can't wait to see pics but if the shop still has problems, please give Tony a call. We'll get it all worked out.
In terms of the ripples, does he mean waves in the fiberglass or ripples in the paint? I believe that with the proper prep, paint and clear coat, the bumper's paint should hold up for many years to come
Edwin
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Hi guys!
I've attached some close-ups of the problem areas. Would really appreciate any good suggestions on minimising the gaps, and also aligning the side markers with the fenders. As you can see, the side marker on the passenger side (mine is a RHD) is not exactly flushed with the contour of the bumper. I have found another installer, and he is suggesting re-working on the bumper and adding some fiberglass to at the bottom part of the space reserved for the side markers to push them up, and close the gaps. Can that work?
Edwin,
My installer meant the waves on the fibreglass. Well, he has apparently smoothen them out, but he warned that they may re-appear. I have no issues at the moment. The alignment and gap of the side markers are my main concerns now.
Lastly, to sidetrack a bit - do you guys recommend adding silicon to close up the gap between the side skirt and the main body?
A big THANK YOU to all of you!
I've attached some close-ups of the problem areas. Would really appreciate any good suggestions on minimising the gaps, and also aligning the side markers with the fenders. As you can see, the side marker on the passenger side (mine is a RHD) is not exactly flushed with the contour of the bumper. I have found another installer, and he is suggesting re-working on the bumper and adding some fiberglass to at the bottom part of the space reserved for the side markers to push them up, and close the gaps. Can that work?
Edwin,
My installer meant the waves on the fibreglass. Well, he has apparently smoothen them out, but he warned that they may re-appear. I have no issues at the moment. The alignment and gap of the side markers are my main concerns now.
Lastly, to sidetrack a bit - do you guys recommend adding silicon to close up the gap between the side skirt and the main body?
A big THANK YOU to all of you!
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 211
From: San Diego
Rep Power: 29
I think they are still short of doing a good job. I don't have the TA bumpers but to relate my experience, fiberglass, even in the hands of someone that knows what they're doing, doesn't get installed overnight and you'd be hard pressed to even have it done properly in a week. When my front and rear bumper covers and side rockers were installed it took all of 10 weeks... granted I wasn't the only car in the shop, but to marry all of the edges flush takes some time, especially if they have to build up some fiberglass in some areas... I told my installers to take their time and they did, and in the end I'm happy that they did... The caution when I undertook my facelift was that the parts really are secondary to the skill of the installer and from your pictures and your caveat (installer not experienced with porsches) I guess it would be true...
My $.02...
Rudy
My $.02...
Rudy
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Hi guys!
I've attached some close-ups of the problem areas. Would really appreciate any good suggestions on minimising the gaps, and also aligning the side markers with the fenders. As you can see, the side marker on the passenger side (mine is a RHD) is not exactly flushed with the contour of the bumper. I have found another installer, and he is suggesting re-working on the bumper and adding some fiberglass to at the bottom part of the space reserved for the side markers to push them up, and close the gaps. Can that work?
Edwin,
My installer meant the waves on the fibreglass. Well, he has apparently smoothen them out, but he warned that they may re-appear. I have no issues at the moment. The alignment and gap of the side markers are my main concerns now.
Lastly, to sidetrack a bit - do you guys recommend adding silicon to close up the gap between the side skirt and the main body?
A big THANK YOU to all of you!
I've attached some close-ups of the problem areas. Would really appreciate any good suggestions on minimising the gaps, and also aligning the side markers with the fenders. As you can see, the side marker on the passenger side (mine is a RHD) is not exactly flushed with the contour of the bumper. I have found another installer, and he is suggesting re-working on the bumper and adding some fiberglass to at the bottom part of the space reserved for the side markers to push them up, and close the gaps. Can that work?
Edwin,
My installer meant the waves on the fibreglass. Well, he has apparently smoothen them out, but he warned that they may re-appear. I have no issues at the moment. The alignment and gap of the side markers are my main concerns now.
Lastly, to sidetrack a bit - do you guys recommend adding silicon to close up the gap between the side skirt and the main body?
A big THANK YOU to all of you!
and for the sideskirt and mainbody, i added silicon to mine
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Hi guys!
I've attached some close-ups of the problem areas. Would really appreciate any good suggestions on minimising the gaps, and also aligning the side markers with the fenders. As you can see, the side marker on the passenger side (mine is a RHD) is not exactly flushed with the contour of the bumper. I have found another installer, and he is suggesting re-working on the bumper and adding some fiberglass to at the bottom part of the space reserved for the side markers to push them up, and close the gaps. Can that work?
Edwin,
My installer meant the waves on the fibreglass. Well, he has apparently smoothen them out, but he warned that they may re-appear. I have no issues at the moment. The alignment and gap of the side markers are my main concerns now.
Lastly, to sidetrack a bit - do you guys recommend adding silicon to close up the gap between the side skirt and the main body?
A big THANK YOU to all of you!
I've attached some close-ups of the problem areas. Would really appreciate any good suggestions on minimising the gaps, and also aligning the side markers with the fenders. As you can see, the side marker on the passenger side (mine is a RHD) is not exactly flushed with the contour of the bumper. I have found another installer, and he is suggesting re-working on the bumper and adding some fiberglass to at the bottom part of the space reserved for the side markers to push them up, and close the gaps. Can that work?
Edwin,
My installer meant the waves on the fibreglass. Well, he has apparently smoothen them out, but he warned that they may re-appear. I have no issues at the moment. The alignment and gap of the side markers are my main concerns now.
Lastly, to sidetrack a bit - do you guys recommend adding silicon to close up the gap between the side skirt and the main body?
A big THANK YOU to all of you!
Edwin