[DASN54]

Hey all, I just received my M-Tech front, rear bumpers and side skirts. I bought these of ebay and they are the ones made in Taiwan which were recommended by some F30 guys who said the fitment was excellent. Originally I was gonna go the **********s route however they were 5-6 weeks back ordered.

I live on the Central Coast here in California (Pismo Beach area) and I called 3 places which all gave me an estimate of $1200-1500 dollars to paint and prep (no install). I thought this was pretty steep considering how small the parts really are and minimal prep is required. Which brings me to my plan B which is ME lol.

I do pride myself as a pretty darn good detailer as in paint correction; I have wet sanded and corrected a lot of cars so I figured I'm gonna give this a go. I plan on building a little DIY paint booth (PVC and plastic sheeting) with some ventilation and good lighting. I called PPG and got a quote of $370 for everything I need; sealer/primer. base, hardener and clear.

I plan on scuffing with a red scotch brite and clean clean clean prior to primer. I will add pictures once I get this going, looks like rain this coming weekend so hopefully I can start the following weekend.

If anyone has any tips or prep/primer products that work good on the Polypropylene plastic the panels are made of please drop a comment.

More to come.....

Got the diffuser painted yesterday.

Scuffed with grey scotch brite pad, cleaned with dish soap, 3 coats of bulldog adhesion promoter and 4 coats of charcoal bumper/trim paint for an OE look.

[Soravia]

Self Etching primer seems to work, just don't put too thick of a layer. I recommend at least 1,000 grit to start off but above 3,000 grit to 5,000 grit to finish, plus buffing. All being SLOW wet sanding of course.
Never do it under the sun. Use soaking wet towel to wipe off.

[DASN54]

Bought some LCI headlights to retrofit while waiting for good weather to paint.

[mweisdorfer]

You will need a plastic adhesion spray. You need to use 600 grit & rough it up a little then spray the plastic adhesion on. Then use an epoxy "fill" primer. Maybe 2-3 coats.

After you have applied the epoxy primer and wet sanded w/ 800, then apply the base coat.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by Soravia

Self Etching primer seems to work, just don't put too thick of a layer. I recommend at least 1,000 grit to start off but above 3,000 grit to 5,000 grit to finish, plus buffing. All being SLOW wet sanding of course.
Never do it under the sun. Use soaking wet towel to wipe off.

Self etching primer is typically used on metal

[DASN54]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

You will need a plastic adhesion spray. You need to use 600 grit & rough it up a little then spray the plastic adhesion on. Then use an epoxy "fill" primer. Maybe 2-3 coats.

Thanks for tips, I'm using Bulldog adhesion promoter and going straight to base. According to my local body shop supplier (where i got my paint), That's what he recommended.

I'm spraying it tomorrow, weather is prime out here in California right now. Washed, scuffed with grey scotch pad with scuffstuff, and will do final prep tomorrow and spray these things. Hope it all goes well lol.

[Emilime75]

Does the paint not need a flex additive? Maybe the tech has advanced, but I recall this being a thing when plastic parts were being painted.

[DASN54]

Originally Posted by Emilime75

Does the paint not need a flex additive? Maybe the tech has advanced, but I recall this being a thing when plastic parts were being painted.

I thought so too, however the guy told me the paint these days is made for flexing since most cars nowadays are made with plastic body parts. We will see.

[DASN54]

Got the rear bumper and side skirts on...

[bkwld]

Looks great! Can’t wait for the front.
I personally never see proper (front, side rear) Pre LCI M-tech and they look the best.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by DASN54

Got the rear bumper and side skirts on...

Nice. Where did you get your rear, m-sport bumper at ?

[DASN54]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

Nice. Where did you get your rear, m-sport bumper at ?

Actually bought everything off EBay from a reputable seller here in California. They are made in Taiwan but they fit great and are pretty good quality. I was searching around for oem but it was near impossible to find anything.

[Barrique91]

Any photos of headlights installed?

[DASN54]

Originally Posted by Barrique91

Any photos of headlights installed?

I'm finishing up some maintenance (belts, pulleys, power steering service, VTT valve cover, tap and plug vacuum ports in order to get my PCV situation dialed and inlets) before I put the front end on. Once it's all done I will post a ton of pics. This car has gotten a pretty decent little makeover.

Here is a pic of the test fit and function; angel eyes are BRIGHT! More to come..

[Barrique91]

Nice! I usually am not a fan of those dtm styles but I am really liking those. I have been building my pre lci xenon set. What's gonna be your method of sealing them? Unfortunately I mounted everything back up on my car and then they leaked(terrible feeling).

[DASN54]

Originally Posted by Barrique91

Nice! I usually am not a fan of those dtm styles but I am really liking those. I have been building my pre lci xenon set. What's gonna be your method of sealing them? Unfortunately I mounted everything back up on my car and then they leaked(terrible feeling).

I sealed them up using Butyl from Bavgruppe and then ran a bead of silicone. I hear you on the DTM style rings, I just couldn't find any standard halos that appealed to me so I took a chance on these and i think they will tie in nicely with the m/tech kit. You know of any decent carbon lips for the pre-lci m/tech bumper?

[Barrique91]

I don't know of any pre lci mtech lips, I feel like I have never even seen one before? Maybe they are just not common. You could always make your own lip and wrap it in carbon fiber vinyl. I think that is a good idea if you are only wanting it to protect your bumper. Loving all the progress so far.

[DASN54]

Originally Posted by Barrique91

I don't know of any pre lci mtech lips, I feel like I have never even seen one before? Maybe they are just not common. You could always make your own lip and wrap it in carbon fiber vinyl. I think that is a good idea if you are only wanting it to protect your bumper. Loving all the progress so far.

Thank you! I will look into the lips, and post pics of progress.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by DASN54

I'm finishing up some maintenance (belts, pulleys, power steering service, VTT valve cover, tap and plug vacuum ports in order to get my PCV situation dialed and inlets) before I put the front end on. Once it's all done I will post a ton of pics. This car has gotten a pretty decent little makeover.

Here is a pic of the test fit and function; angel eyes are BRIGHT! More to come..

I'm curious to see your impressions of the billet VC.

[DASN54]

Originally Posted by mweisdorfer

I'm curious to see your impressions of the billet VC.

I actually bought the cast one off a forum member on *********** it was brand new and came with fittings and catch can.

[DASN54]

Got the headlights and bumper on, having issues with getting the DTM Angel Eyes to stay on as DRL. I wired them up to the LCI Halo bulb harness, coded out cold and warm checks but they only come on for a few seconds after I write the coding. Also have parking light malfunction but I don't see the option to turn cold and warm checks off for that particular bulb. Everything else is working great. I'm using PRO TOOL for coding.

**EDIT**

Fixed issues by resetting FRM short circuits. Now time to get this thing buttoned up and start my inlet install FML.

[6ixSpd]

That came out really nice! Doesn't seem to have much orange peel, either. Good work!