Repairing a STI lip

[eckymosis]

Hi fella's,

Any idea if the STI lip, or in my case my Ultrex lip, can be repaired or a repairer in Melbourne that could assist?

Mine's just cracked a bit in the front. It's still in one piece but the crack is about 10cms across the right hand side.

Any help would be appreciated.

[blacktop™]

Got any pictures?

A plastic welder could most likely fix it for you.

Not sure how you would fix it if you wanted to DIY though?

[Ben]

Hi fella's,

Any idea if the STI lip, or in my case my Ultrex lip, can be repaired or a repairer in Melbourne that could assist?

Mine's just cracked a bit in the front. It's still in one piece but the crack is about 10cms across the right hand side.

Any help would be appreciated.

I broke one of the plastic mounts off a lip I had and got a plastic welder to fix it. He welded bits of metal into the plastic to strengthen it (was the centre bracket) and it's been good ever since. If I were you I'd get some quotes off plastic welders that do car stuff shouldn't be more than $80 or so.

[eckymosis]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Here's a picture of the damage;



Could anyone recommend a good plastic in Melbourne preferably in the east? Otherwise I'll call around.

[teK--]

Ouch that's nasty. You could take the lip off and just epoxy glue it on the mating surfaces of the crack. You'll get a seam in any case but if you keep the lip covered with plastic conditioner or something to give it a glossier finish it may not be as noticeable.

I cracked my Ultrex lip a few times but it was in the underside where it mounts onto the bumper. Mine is held onto the bumper in various places now by metal fold-back clips (from Officeworks) . It actually sits flusher and more tightly to the bumper than with the original clips and screws, which allowed it to sag in various places.

[Jtek]

i need to have a look next time i see you jim. i just added self tappers when the mounting loops broke off.
Eddie, after epoxy gluing it try Plastidip, apparantly it can be sprayed or pasted on and is flexible, wont crack,chip or peel. When dries it turns to a rubber coating, not sure how much, heard its a lil costly just for a can. Havn't used it first hand but may be an option.
http://www.plastidip.net.au/index.php?module=Website&action=Text&content=1157845530718-0723&parentContent=1157875515625-6910

[teK--]

i need to have a look next time i see you jim. i just added self tappers when the mounting loops broke off.
Eddie, after epoxy gluing it try Plastidip, apparantly it can be sprayed or pasted on and is flexible, wont crack,chip or peel. When dries it turns to a rubber coating, not sure how much, heard its a lil costly just for a can. Havn't used it first hand but may be an option.
http://www.plastidip.net.au/index.php?module=Website&action=Text&content=1157845530718-0723&parentContent=1157875515625-6910

I'm talking about these:

Take the little levers off, then just press the clip over where the edge of the lip meets the edge of the bumper.

I have probably 6 or 8 of them on my lip, the 25mm size. Now the lip sits very tight against the bumper with no sagging and it's also holding it tightly where I snapped off the mounting tabs. You can't see the clips at all unless the car is jacked up.

[Jtek]

Thanks Jim

[Rome_BRZ]

i need to have a look next time i see you jim. i just added self tappers when the mounting loops broke off.
Eddie, after epoxy gluing it try Plastidip, apparantly it can be sprayed or pasted on and is flexible, wont crack,chip or peel. When dries it turns to a rubber coating, not sure how much, heard its a lil costly just for a can. Havn't used it first hand but may be an option.
http://www.plastidip.net.au/index.php?module=Website&action=Text&content=1157845530718-0723&parentContent=1157875515625-6910

I'm talking about these:

Take the little levers off, then just press the clip over where the edge of the lip meets the edge of the bumper.

I have probably 6 or 8 of them on my lip, the 25mm size. Now the lip sits very tight against the bumper with no sagging and it's also holding it tightly where I snapped off the mounting tabs. You can't see the clips at all unless the car is jacked up.

Haha that is the definition of ghetto repairs! Good to see it works though!

[eckymosis]

I took it in to a few plastic welders yesterday who pretty much said that it can be done but due to the size of the crack, it will remain quite noticeable unless I get it resprayed after having it weld. In addition, I noticed that the centre mount of the lip has also snapped off and is now sagging a fair bit. All up I would be looking at $200 to get it repaired.

I'd be keen in trying to repair it myself using epoxy and platic repair kits but I just don't trust my DIY ability to do so and will probably end up looking like ass. At this stage I'll most likely just buy another one from Ultrex...

[vedi]

Heya, I am going to double post this in a desperate attempt to claw my way to more posts!

I did a very basic home fix when I managed to split my lip properly along the inside curve (ie: where the horizontal bit meets the vertical bit) about 70cm along.

1. Remove it. Push the whole thing back together in a good position using newspaper and bullclips.
2. Used some 'Selly's Super Strength Araldite' from Bunnings ($17). It is very thick and sets clear like glue. I initially gave a decent coat on both sides of the crack, used a plastic spoon to smooth it out.
4. Let it dry for a few days.
4. Recoated the back with Araldite just to be sure (where no one would see).
5. The key bit: Wiped away the visible Araldite on the front using acetone to make it disappear (as it looks shiny and wet when set).

Seems to be very very strong and you can only notice the faint crackline if you get face to face with it. A bit more love and care to the job and I reckon it would be a perfect stealth fix.

[cruisn]

STi lip FTW as it flexes.

[hamish_023]

STi lip FTW as it flexes.

The ultrex one flexs like a mofo aswell

[Jtek]

Just take Jim's, theres only a few clips holding it on
Nah, just get another Ultrex lip

[cruisn]

I can get a pre facelift genuine STi one with only a few small marks in it with all clips for $450.