Long story short, my xB's front bumper was injured on the highway. The whole front bumper is being repainted. I asked the body man if he could patch the licence plate holes before he repaints the bumper. He said he would but that the body shop wont guarantee their work (on the patching of the holes). He said if anything bumped my bumper, that their is a good chance the bondo could pop out...

I really want him to patch the holes, but I am asking my fellow scion lifers who have had their holes patched, Have they popped yet? any cracking or problems?

Please let me know

Matt

Just get some license plate bumper plugs.

I put the plugs in mine, but if they put something over the backside of the holes to keep tye bondo in place, it should be okay.

where do you get the plugs?

I got mine from the fastener drawers from Lowes. Can't remember the size, but they pop right in. MIne are black but it would be easy to color-match.

http://www.bumperplugs.com

They're made for porsche's but there's a color match chart for other car manufacturer's paints.

I just ordered mine 2 minutes ago!

I'll update with pictures when they arrive

well, thanks for taking over my thread! Just kidding. Yeah the guy said that he would go from behind as well and patch. I am a very carefull person and I try my best not to hit crap.

Anyone eles who actually had their xB bondoed?

Do not use bondo on plastic body panels!! It WILL crack. It may fall out.

You need a special filler for flexible parts. Check with your local automotive paint supply house. They should have it. 3M makes a kit. I don't know about others.

These guys have it: http://www.terracesupply.com/ If you don't see it on the site, give them a call.

If you're having the bumper painted anyway, go with filling it. If not, I recommend going with the plugs.

The stuff is called "3M™ Automix EZ Sand Flexible Part Repair, 5 oz Kit"

Here is a link to the 3M site with the stuff I'm talking about..

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Specialty-Vehicles/Home/Products/Solutions_By_App/Plastic_Repair/Order_Info/05895/?PC_7_0_14E3_root=GST1T4S9TCgv&PC_7_0_14E3_output=html&PC_7_0_14E3_bgel=7V91QLRJ7Fbl&PC_7_0_14E3_gvel=6DTWTJQPBBgl&PC_7_0_14E3_vroot=GSLPLPKL4Xge&PC_7_0_14E3_node=JSPNXHDFFBgs&PC_7_0_14E3_theme=en_US_specialtyvehicles_portal&PC_7_0_14E3_command=AbcPageHandler

http://www.bumperplugs.com

They're made for porsche's but there's a color match chart for other car manufacturer's paints.

Nice find :bow:

well I didn't mean specifically bondo will be used. I mean a filler type medium. The guy that will be paint my xB has done body work before on my two previous cars as well as my mothers..... But I will double check! thanks!

Okay. Anyway, if he uses the filler designed for flexible parts like bumpers, you'll have no issues.

It will probably need to be fiberglassed to be done right. Filling those holes with ANY type of body filler is going to fail eventually. If that is all they will do you will be wishing you spent less money and just got bumper plugs.

Bottom line, if your body man isn't confident in his own work, or how to make something happen without failing don't ask him to do it. If it is something you want done, find yourself a competent body man who is willing to back up his work.

It will probably need to be fiberglassed to be done right. Filling those holes with ANY type of body filler is going to fail eventually.

I don't agree.

First, DO NOT use any type of fiberglas. It is too rigid (just like regular bondo). It will not flex and expand/contract the same way the bumper does. It WILL result in cracked paint at the very minimum.

Use the 3M filler that is designed for flexible parts...like bumper covers. I've used it before and it is suitable for this application. You just need to apply it right. I recommend putting an excess of material on the back side or even gluing in place some kind of backer. Then fill and sand. Finally, prime it with a filling primer for flexible parts. Sand between coats until you get a smooth finish you are satisfied with. Finish with a urithane basecoat/clearcoat paint. You're done!

/\/\/\ Exactly right!!! /\/\/\

How about a cheap DIY?

Just ordered some plastic "clips" for the rear hatch trim panel...deadening behind there and some of the originals went DOA.

I got to thinking that these are just about right for my $#@* bumper that the dealer idiots drilled.

Painted them 068 Polar White touch up paint, drilled(!) the holes out to 1/4" and pressed them in. Not Bad! Sure beats the $24.95 a pair bumper plugs! Only $1.25 each.

As good as no holes? Noooo. But 100% better than ugly holes from 1/4" pan head phillips wood screws.

Now going to relocate the license plate!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/armano/Bumperplugpartnumber.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/armano/Bumperplug.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/armano/Closeupbumperplug.jpg

Edit: Just returned from Lowes to buy bolts and washers. Found these, they are almost identical to the rear hatch panel clips-Toyota on the left, Lowes on the right:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/armano/HillmanBumperPlug.jpg
A little larger OD, $0.80 for 2 pieces. There were two sizes...a 1206/these and a 1207/little smaller.

Just saw that cierrecart had already found these :bow:!! Now we have part numbers.

Anyways...

to do it right find a someone that can plastic weld, my friend had it done and it looks perfect. he used a local guy that fixes paint chips and scratches