$400 Front License Plate Delete

[kayger12]

Stopped by a trusted local body shop today and discussed getting my front bumper painted (including filling the license plate holes drilled in my bumper) so I can lose/relocate the front plate and also stop getting irritated at the lack of clear coat every time I look at the bottom of my bumper.

Shop will remove the bumper, sand, repaint, and reinstall for $400.

Will be dropping off next Thursday as it stands right now.

Thoughts, comments, and opinions welcome......

[danewilson77]

$400.....better be a good job.

[mimalmo]

Pics of finished bumper by next Monday?

Better Clear Bra that sucker ASAP if you're spending money on paint.

[kayger12]

$400.....better be a good job.

Yeah-- they are expensive, but they are by far the best around. Very high quality work.

I can get it done for half that at several other shops that I trust and do ok work, but I'd rather spend the extra and get a job that is going to look great and last.

[MasterC17]

$400 does seem a bit expensive, but as long as they do a good job I guess it doesn't matter! What are you thinking of using if you re-locate the plate?

[kayger12]

$400 does seem a bit expensive, but as long as they do a good job I guess it doesn't matter! What are you thinking of using if you re-locate the plate?

Thinking about relocating it to my garage ;)

[gr330zhp]

I wanna see results :)

Definetly go 3M bra right away! I wanna do it soo bad on mine

[kayger12]

I wanna see results :)

Definetly go 3M bra right away! I wanna do it soo bad on mine

Good suggestion. Researching it now.

[kayger12]

Pics of finished bumper by next Monday?

Better Clear Bra that sucker ASAP if you're spending money on paint.

Pics by Monday for sure.

Definitely looking into the clear bra.

[gr330zhp]

Bav Auto sells em at a pretty good price if I remember right

[kayger12]

Bav Auto sells em at a pretty good price if I remember right

Thanks. I'll check them out.

[SC4ME]

I've been thinking about getting the bumper filled and painted. Way too many rock chips and scrapes.

Anyone know a good paint shop in San Diego area?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I'm biased, of course, but 2M Auto Body. It's next door to Euro Auto Spot (my mechanic).

The owners of 2M are members here at ZHPMafia.com.

Mention ZHP MAFIA for a discount.

This is the project they're doing right now: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?877-Epic-re-spray-2M-Auto-Body...-!!

[kayger12]

From what I'm reading, I may have to wait up to 30 days before I can apply a protective urethane film to a freshly painted bumper.

I'll check with the body shop and see what they have to say.

[gr330zhp]

Yeah I did hear something about that. Maybe that is one of the reasons I havent done it...

[SC4ME]

Still better than a thousand chips. Mine bumper looks sandblasted.

[Daddyoh]

While I was shopping I had test driven a Z with a 'sand-blasted' front bumper. So I called my local body shop and she estimated about $400 for strip and paint. I think that's probably fair as long as you get a good guarantee (although road rash won't be guaranteed I'm sure).
My Black Sapphire needs to be re-shot too. Good luck with it

[jvr826]

$400 is a fair price I think. A friend had an estimate of about $1k to r/r, refurbish and repaint his M3 front bumper. I had my rear bumper repaired recently and the cost for just the "remanufacture" was $350 not including r/r and paint.

You may find a clear bra cost prohibitive... might cost more than a repaint.

[SC4ME]

I debated a clear bra when I bought the car but decided to see how long it would take before needing repainting. I figured that the cost of a clear bra was equal to a repaint every 3-4 yrs. Its been 4+ yrs so Im ahead of the game!!!

[Washburn]

I think I am lucky that my car had the clear bra when I got it, but I also do have 2 tiny holes in the bumper from where I removed the front plate..

[Gramps05ZHP]

I'm looking into doing front bumper paint myself, I used to paint airplanes.

[kayger12]

I'm looking into doing front bumper paint myself, I used to paint airplanes.

Nice! I used to fly the paint off of airplanes ;)

[Gramps05ZHP]

Ahh.....the glory of aviation

[kayger12]

Ahh.....the glory of aviation

Amen. Just landed an aerial photography gig that will get me some stick and rudder time and hopefully put some money in my pocket to boot.

[kayger12]

Well, she's going under the knife tomorrow at 4pm. I will be without my beloved car until some time Saturday.

I will be here staring at her pictures with a box of tissues until then. :crying

[az3579]

Well, she's going under the knife tomorrow at 4pm. I will be without my beloved car until some time Saturday.

I will be here staring at her pictures with a box of tissues until then. :crying

We're here for moral support. You can cry on my shoulder if you want.
If you ask nicely, maybe even a hug.

[kayger12]

Thanks, BP. I might need it.

[johnrando]

Our thoughts and hopes for a good recovery/outcome will be with you and your machine. John

[kayger12]

Our thoughts and hopes for a good recovery/outcome will be with you and your machine. John

Thanks, John.

I am now officially without my baby-- just dropped her off. In for a long 50+ hours.

And of course, it's the nicest weather of the year here today and tomorrow.

[E1022]

This weather is crazy nice! 65 here just outside Philly!

[kayger12]

Tell me about it. Was driving down to the body shop with the windows down and the sunroof open.

Might have been able to enjoy it if I wasn't giving her up for two days.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Thanks, John.

I am now officially without my baby-- just dropped her off. In for a long 50+ hours.

And of course, it's the nicest weather of the year here today and tomorrow.

You'll have to get your fix by hanging out with us, Keith.

[kayger12]

I got home and had ZHP Mafia businesses cards waiting for me in the mailbox.

Put a slight smile on my melancholy face.

Currently distracting myself in an Irish pub. 48 more hours...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

See? The Mafia business cards arrived just in time.

[az3579]

I got home and had ZHP Mafia businesses cards waiting for me in the mailbox.

Put a slight smile on my melancholy face.

Currently distracting myself in an Irish pub. 48 more hours...

ME TOO!
I didn't even ask for them (yet) and they were already here. Sweeeeeet!
I put a few in my wallet next to my own personal business cards, because... you never know. :)

[pyreguy]

Got mine in the mail too! :biggrin

Thanks Marcus!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

You guys are welcome.

[iZHP]

I asked my guy about repaint/sand front bumper and I got ~$400-450 as well. that's a lot, but I'd rather take it there than Maaco or someplace. The previous owner scraped the hell out of it and rock chips have taken their toll.

[kayger12]

All is right with the world again.

I have my baby back!

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-19_10-43-23_194.jpg

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Glad to see it's back.

And it looks good.

[kayger12]

Thanks, boss.

Looking at that pic, I'm reminded I need to get moving on the silver corner bulbs.

[iZHP]

All is right with the world again.

I have my baby back!

http://i1234.photobucket.com/albums/ff401/Kayger12/2011-02-19_10-43-23_194.jpg

looks good!

[L0veZHP]

ask for $300 i can get a former bmw autobody worker to do it for $300 in NYC... so im guessing it should be cheaper over there? or you can try to knock it down... either way its worth it

[Marcus-SanDiego]

ask for $300 i can get a former bmw autobody worker to do it for $300 in NYC... so im guessing it should be cheaper over there? or you can try to knock it down... either way its worth it

Too late. Already done. Already got car back.

Good looking out, though.

[kayger12]

ask for $300 i can get a former bmw autobody worker to do it for $300 in NYC... so im guessing it should be cheaper over there? or you can try to knock it down... either way its worth it

Appreciate the info, LOve. There were several places around here where I could have gotten it done for less-- just chose to go with the most reputable place. Paid a little more but had a guarantee of top quality work.

[Rovert]

If you want and feel like another project since you guys all have so much free some to be on this site...you can make a magnetic front plate. Then when you're in photoshoots it's easy to take off and leave a nice clean front end. When done, put it back on and be totally legal! Just use rare earth magnets behind your bumper as well as on your license plate. You'll just have to be creative to create an inconspicuous area where the plate contacts the paint so there scratching is kept to a minimum.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3653/3639734823_aaaa1a2539_z.jpg?zz=1

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3639/3640545184_1963d4c0d6_z.jpg?zz=1

There's one magnet hidden behind the fold to stabilize.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3639734881_b1eebe0430_z.jpg?zz=1

I've been near the governed speed of the vehicle with no ill effects of killing anyone behind with a loose plate. LOL

[kayger12]

Good info, Trevor. It's tough with the coupe because we don't have a trim piece on the front bumper.

I'll be testing the plate-free waters for a while...

[pyreguy]

I like how you have the plate bent to shorten it. Nice.

[Rovert]

Didn't want to cover up any aerodynamic air vents! LOL... +5HP from that mod!

[pyreguy]

Luckilly my state doesn't require a front plate. I went Euro and kept my vent wide open! :biggrin

[kayger12]

Love that look, Lance.

[pyreguy]

Thanks!!

[kayger12]

Anytime, bro.