Got bored...so I chopped my nose off
Got bored...so I chopped my nose off
Soooo...I had some free time last weekend and decided I was ready for a change. I have wanted an evo 9 bumper for some time now, but can't justify spending the money. I figured I would give the nose chop a try, and if I don't like it, then I will buy the 9 bumper.
I have never done anything like this, but have always wanted to try working with fiberglass and bondo, so it has been a good learning experience thus far.
Anyway, on to the process:
I'm sure there are several ways to do this, but this is the way I chose to do it.
First, I bought this:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/cata...gry=Search+All
Well worth it in my opinion. Came with cutting tool as well as a sanding attachment which was needed as well. Took me about 5 minutes to cut the nose off.
Then I bought fiberglass matting, resin, along with some 99 cent paint brushes to spread the resin.
Then I bought some fiberglass bondo and some bondo scrapers. Everything was found at home depot.
Total Spent: $140 including the cutoff tool/sander. I'm sure you could find something cheaper to get the job done at harbor freight if you wanted to.
Before:
Nose cut:
Fiberglass on:
Starting to sand:
Cut metal tabs off:
Starting to bondo, lol it started to thicken and harden in less than 10 minutes..that's why it's so chunky. Made for a lot of sanding:
Sanding bondo:
Priming:
Painting:
Clear Coat on. Sanded base coat to get rid of some dust that my dad got on the paint, then Layed a couple layers of base and 4-5 coats of clear.
Wetsanded/Buffed on car
On car in the nasty sleet/rain:
Still Need to order evo 9 front emblem and wetsand/buff for a second time once the paint has fully cured.
Emblem on, quick shots:
Work pic:
In case anyone was wondering I used Phoenix Red spray paint that I had from 2010 for the base coat lol. Actually blended well, then cleared over it with some automotive clear and wetsanded with (1500/2000/2500grit) then polished with meguiars 105/205 with PC and 3" lake country 3" yellow pad.
This has definitely been a lot of work. Never had to sand so much in my life on such a small area..Just when you think it's good, you need 45 minutes more of sanding lol, it seems like a never ending process.
This wasn't as hard as I was expecting, just very, very time consuming. Overall good learning experience and I think that anyone can do it if they have the patience.
Also, I'm pretty sure I'll have mesothelioma after doing this, should have worn a respirator..oh well
I have never done anything like this, but have always wanted to try working with fiberglass and bondo, so it has been a good learning experience thus far.
Anyway, on to the process:
I'm sure there are several ways to do this, but this is the way I chose to do it.
First, I bought this:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/cata...gry=Search+All
Well worth it in my opinion. Came with cutting tool as well as a sanding attachment which was needed as well. Took me about 5 minutes to cut the nose off.
Then I bought fiberglass matting, resin, along with some 99 cent paint brushes to spread the resin.
Then I bought some fiberglass bondo and some bondo scrapers. Everything was found at home depot.
Total Spent: $140 including the cutoff tool/sander. I'm sure you could find something cheaper to get the job done at harbor freight if you wanted to.
Before:
Nose cut:
Fiberglass on:
Starting to sand:
Cut metal tabs off:
Starting to bondo, lol it started to thicken and harden in less than 10 minutes..that's why it's so chunky. Made for a lot of sanding:
Sanding bondo:
Priming:
Painting:
Clear Coat on. Sanded base coat to get rid of some dust that my dad got on the paint, then Layed a couple layers of base and 4-5 coats of clear.
Wetsanded/Buffed on car
On car in the nasty sleet/rain:
Still Need to order evo 9 front emblem and wetsand/buff for a second time once the paint has fully cured.
Emblem on, quick shots:
Work pic:
In case anyone was wondering I used Phoenix Red spray paint that I had from 2010 for the base coat lol. Actually blended well, then cleared over it with some automotive clear and wetsanded with (1500/2000/2500grit) then polished with meguiars 105/205 with PC and 3" lake country 3" yellow pad.
This has definitely been a lot of work. Never had to sand so much in my life on such a small area..Just when you think it's good, you need 45 minutes more of sanding lol, it seems like a never ending process.
This wasn't as hard as I was expecting, just very, very time consuming. Overall good learning experience and I think that anyone can do it if they have the patience.
Also, I'm pretty sure I'll have mesothelioma after doing this, should have worn a respirator..oh well
Last edited by evowner17; Apr 1, 2013 at 08:13 PM.
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That's look really good 
Are you going to paint it RR as well? As soon as I saw your last pic, I pictured that area TB instead to give it a little accent and stand out more! Don't know how good that would look once finished tho
Are you going to paint it RR as well? As soon as I saw your last pic, I pictured that area TB instead to give it a little accent and stand out more! Don't know how good that would look once finished tho
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,235
Likes: 43
From: N.New Jersey, SoCal & Tokyo, Japan
Great job! I think an VIII should look like an VIII and not switch to a IX bumper (Just my opinion...). A 'nose chop' is the best of both worlds and still keeps the VIII look! Congrats!
Thanks!
I guess we will find out lol, seems to be sturdy at this point. Only time will tell..
Yes, cut the tabs off. Check pic 8. I used the same cutoff tool to cut the tabs as I did to cut the nose.
Thanks for the kind words guys!
I'm gonna attempt to paint it RR, but I have never blended paint. Could be interesting haha. I also thought about plastidipping the area to see how the black might look.
I agree, not really sure what to do about the grill though. There is like a 2" by 3" gap in the mesh where the nose used to be..
Thanks for the kind words guys!
