xa007xa
01-21-2008, 02:58 PM
Here's a few pics of my conversion of the JP front lip for the 2006 xA bumper.
Tools used:
Angle grinder
800 grit sanding wheel (used on fiberglass, wood,etc...)
Files
Emory cloth
Square
Vernier Calipers
Clamps
Work bench/table
Torch
1500 grit sand paper
Super heavy duty double-sided 3m tape
Backing plate for the sanding wheel (i used a grinding disk for this)
First I used the square to mark my cutting lines. I only made 2 marks per side as the lengthwise line is already part of the lip's design. I used the calipers to ensure that the measurements were equal on both sides.
Next I clamped the lip on my work table (this is a dirty job so don't make the same mistake i did - i did this in my dining room cause my garage isn't heated and it was damn cold here in Chicago!!!!)
Next i used the grinder to cut the 2 lines i etched in. Obviously you want to cut on the inside of the line so as to leave yourself a cushion. Once both sides were cut cross-wise, I then rotated the grinder 90 degrees. The spinning sanding wheel is now parallel with the length of the lip. Use full sweeping motions to shave down the material (about 1-1/4" depth-wise and 6" length-wise). This will take a little time. Be careful when you get close to the edges that you cut into at the beginning.
Once you're done, repeat on the other side.
Next file the beginning cuts down to your cutting marks. Do the same across the top of the lip in order to make it flush (there's a small hump where your length-wise cutting line is. Shave material off with the grinder as close as you can to this hump. Be careful because you can ruin the lip. It's better to spend 20 minutes with a file and sand paper to get it right than screw it up in 2 minutes with grinder).
After you've done a nice job, take your bumper off and remove the lower grill to do your test fit (this is currently where I'm at).
I will post pics of this step in the next day or two. I'm waiting on my xenon kit and I don't want to take my bumper off twice. I'll post pics of the xenon install too :-)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/2237234502_d6b25157a5.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2237228576_7b67d0e5e1.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2236436957_0ffcf15fb5.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2236436207_83d5bd88c8.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2259/2236434323_10678cb492.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2237223284_317ffcb87b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2236436207_83d5bd88c8.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2237231296_b0f1716495.jpg
Tools used:
Angle grinder
800 grit sanding wheel (used on fiberglass, wood,etc...)
Files
Emory cloth
Square
Vernier Calipers
Clamps
Work bench/table
Torch
1500 grit sand paper
Super heavy duty double-sided 3m tape
Backing plate for the sanding wheel (i used a grinding disk for this)
First I used the square to mark my cutting lines. I only made 2 marks per side as the lengthwise line is already part of the lip's design. I used the calipers to ensure that the measurements were equal on both sides.
Next I clamped the lip on my work table (this is a dirty job so don't make the same mistake i did - i did this in my dining room cause my garage isn't heated and it was damn cold here in Chicago!!!!)
Next i used the grinder to cut the 2 lines i etched in. Obviously you want to cut on the inside of the line so as to leave yourself a cushion. Once both sides were cut cross-wise, I then rotated the grinder 90 degrees. The spinning sanding wheel is now parallel with the length of the lip. Use full sweeping motions to shave down the material (about 1-1/4" depth-wise and 6" length-wise). This will take a little time. Be careful when you get close to the edges that you cut into at the beginning.
Once you're done, repeat on the other side.
Next file the beginning cuts down to your cutting marks. Do the same across the top of the lip in order to make it flush (there's a small hump where your length-wise cutting line is. Shave material off with the grinder as close as you can to this hump. Be careful because you can ruin the lip. It's better to spend 20 minutes with a file and sand paper to get it right than screw it up in 2 minutes with grinder).
After you've done a nice job, take your bumper off and remove the lower grill to do your test fit (this is currently where I'm at).
I will post pics of this step in the next day or two. I'm waiting on my xenon kit and I don't want to take my bumper off twice. I'll post pics of the xenon install too :-)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2404/2237234502_d6b25157a5.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2212/2237228576_7b67d0e5e1.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2236436957_0ffcf15fb5.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2236436207_83d5bd88c8.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2259/2236434323_10678cb492.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2361/2237223284_317ffcb87b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2063/2236436207_83d5bd88c8.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2170/2237231296_b0f1716495.jpg