corolla 1997 bumper and hood replacement. anybody done this? any special tools?

[desimunda]

is this something i would be able to handle as a newbie? i have done brakes and oil changes thats about it. do i need any special tools?

also has anybody painted either of these two parts? spray can would work?
thanks all.

[96_9c1]

I've done the bumper, fenders and hood on my Prizm. All you really need is a set of metric sockets, a couple of extentions and maybe a another person to hold/place the hood. It took me a couple hours to do the job in the winter by myself minus painting.

As far as painting the parts with spray paint: I sanded mine down, then applied filler primer, sanded, then added the spray painted it with several light coats.

Also make sure you are in a warm dry area with good ventelation (sp).

A thing you might wont to invest in is an trigger attachment for a spray can. I found one at Dollar General for a buck

[desimunda]

Originally Posted by 96_9c1

I've done the bumper, fenders and hood on my Prizm. All you really need is a set of metric sockets, a couple of extentions and maybe a another person to hold/place the hood. It took me a couple hours to do the job in the winter by myself minus painting.

As far as painting the parts with spray paint: I sanded mine down, then applied filler primer, sanded, then added the spray painted it with several light coats.

Also make sure you are in a warm dry area with good ventelation (sp).

A thing you might wont to invest in is an trigger attachment for a spray can. I found one at Dollar General for a buck

thanks for the reply, this gives me some confidence to try it myself. did u paint it before installing or after?

i am in canada and probably won't be able to paint till it warms up. did you have a reference manual that would help with the location of the bolts?

[96_9c1]

I painted all the pieces inside a shed using a couple treble lights for heat/light and to be honest it work quite well. I would point the lamps directly on the hood and do a feeler test to see if it was warm enough. If taking this route, be sure to give yourself some ventilation, so you dont get sick.

Also the lights I used put off a good deal of heat, so I was able to work outside if I stayed in close proximity of the light...just a thought

As far as the location of the bolts, I had no guidence, except for having to tear all the wrecked sheet metal off from the wreck. Once you get into it, it will be more simple then you think.

This was last winter so a couple details might be off a tad:

Bumper
4 bolts under the grill
4-6 bolts on the underside by the apron.
and 2+ bolts on the inside of each fender under the fender apron.

I found this for you at autozone.com for hood install

http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker...3d8016c42c.jsp

[desimunda]

Originally Posted by 96_9c1

I painted all the pieces inside a shed using a couple treble lights for heat/light and to be honest it work quite well. I would point the lamps directly on the hood and do a feeler test to see if it was warm enough. If taking this route, be sure to give yourself some ventilation, so you dont get sick.

Also the lights I used put off a good deal of heat, so I was able to work outside if I stayed in close proximity of the light...just a thought

As far as the location of the bolts, I had no guidence, except for having to tear all the wrecked sheet metal off from the wreck. Once you get into it, it will be more simple then you think.

This was last winter so a couple details might be off a tad:

Bumper
4 bolts under the grill
4-6 bolts on the underside by the apron.
and 2+ bolts on the inside of each fender under the fender apron.

I found this for you at autozone.com for hood install

http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker...3d8016c42c.jsp

thanks that is perfect walkthrough for the hood.

i might give this a shot when i get the parts. will post how it turns out!

[96_9c1]

A detail I that I forgot to had is you will also have to unscrew the bumpers corner lamps and disconnect the bulb, probably before you unbolt the bumper

[SpinnerCee]

You should use "bumper/trim" paint for the plastic parts (like the bumper cover) because it contains stuff to keep it flexible -- if you use the regular body paint (designed for application on sheet metal), as soon as the bumper flexes, your nice paint job will crack at best or fall off at worst.

I think the parts store touch-up style paints contain this additive, but read and "know" before you buy and use it. This goes for any filler/primer you use underneath your finish job as well.

Everyone has seen it -- it seperates the men from the boys, and a job that will last, vs one that you'll have to do all over real soon.

[96_9c1]

Originally Posted by SpinnerCee

You should use "bumper/trim" paint for the plastic parts (like the bumper cover) because it contains stuff to keep it flexible -- if you use the regular body paint (designed for application on sheet metal), as soon as the bumper flexes, your nice paint job will crack at best or fall off at worst.

I think the parts store touch-up style paints contain this additive, but read and "know" before you buy and use it. This goes for any filler/primer you use underneath your finish job as well.

Everyone has seen it -- it seperates the men from the boys, and a job that will last, vs one that you'll have to do all over real soon.

True

But, I used Rust-Oleum thats meant for use on metal surfaces in early March of 06 and its still like the day I painted it IIRC, I also used Rust-Oleum's sandable filler primer...what ever Wal-Mart carries as a filler primer in a name brand.



http://www.rustoleum.com/product.asp...t_id=389&SBL=1

I doubt I will ever have to re-paint my bumper.

Not trying to contradict you, just giving my experience