Jones R

My Turbo S front lip gets scraped more often than I like. I live in mountain area where sloped entrances are very common. The center part of the lip is the only thing that rubs, so I decided to buy an aftermarket C4S lip. I know lots of owners prefer the stock lip aesthetically, but I really like this lip and it's better suited for the local terrain.

Below are some photos I took to prep and paint the new lip.





Using the box it was shipped in to inspect and begin scouring








You can see the difference in clearance through the middle section





I normally use scotch-brite pads to scuff the surface. The back of this sponge was abrasive enough to promote adhesion.








Make sure to use a good primer. Also, Artic Silver is paint code X1X1 if you want to have a paint supplier make a can like I did.





Warm paint lays better. I always make a hot water bath to get everything heated up. Better flow through the nozzle too.





Tack coat first! Don't go heavy on your first few.





Build your primer up till it's nice and creamy - that's what she said (boom i still got it)





Let the primer dry for an hour, then start scuffing again





Pro-tip always use gloves. Your fingers are disgusting cess-pools that wreck your finish





It's even harder to resist heavy coats when you get to the actual paint stage. Tack coat only!





I like to use coat hangers to suspend while spraying. Once you get to the full coats, you can rotate it for coverage.





Selfie!!!!! FTW!!!! holla!!!!<br/>Wear a respirator please unless you enjoy lung cancer





Color matches well. In my garage at night with very little lighting.

More photos to come; it's still drying in my rafters. I'll probably install it this evening and post some before-n-afters.

Blswan

You should avoid using anything that's not a two part as a top coat. It won't hold up. I'm a body work guy. Your paint will stay slightly soft and probably get messed up while you install it. Also, you need to add a flex agent because the piece gets flexed a lot during install and after. The paint will spider. Good luck!

Jones R

I've had good results with Duplicolor flex clear for plastic bumper applications (not pictured). When i update photos I'll include a picture of the can.

Edit: the paint supplier also added flex agent for plastic

RDS928S

When can u come over to my house?

Blswan

Ok, well it sounds like you are on track. As a side note, you can buy a HVLP gun from harbor freight for $15. It has a 1.5 tip that lays down primer better than my expensive guns. It does alright for paints and clears if you get it dialed in right. This way you could skip the rattle can and probably have better products available to you. I usually keep about 2-3 of them around as I hate cleaning my guns. I use them a couple times and toss them in the trash LOL. Can't wait to see the finished install!

Turbodan

great job.
I personally like the black lip on my silver car. less stuff to worry about. and it matches my black tires and tinted windows

solosailor

Two part, two stage is what you should use if you want it to match and hold up. Use SprayMax (I buy from 66autocolor.com) which will ship a factory color in a special spray can with a hardener you push activate. This lays down the color. Then you use the 2k Clear coat (again a two part in a spray can) to make it look factory original. These spray can have a special nozzle that shoots a pattern that is just like a spray gun. I just did my lip and it looks factory.

Jones R

Installation is easier with 2 people, but if you're solo just use stacks and slowly move everything into place. Don't force anything and wear gloves. You will eventually get it aligned





At most distances and angles it looks factory. Up close the lip has less gloss than an OEM piece, but I'm OK with that





Hopefully the weather clears and I can get some daylight photos

Total cost:
--Front lip $234 (shipped)
--Primer $20 (worth the money to get good plastic adhesion)
--Paint $32 mixed by supply store
--Clear $10 for flexible bumper clear
Total = $296

This is my daily driver. It has the 3M clear shield all over the front, but i accept minor chips and scratches that are unavoidable for the benefit of enjoying this machine on a daily basis.

I think $300 plus a little TLC is a fair price to keep DD'ing. If I have to do it again in 5 yrs, I'm OK with that!

Blswan

I like it! I just replaced the stocker on mine because it was rashed up like yours. This was a nice custom route, well done!

Jones R

Final photo I promise. It looks better in daylight than I expected. The reduced glossyness actually works well in this color

RDS928S

SWEET

Kevinmacd

Should have used a vinyl plastic adhesive prep as the first step.

awesomebang

Looks good.......Does anyone know if C4S lip will fit on 996 GT2 Bumper? Thanks

FRUNKenstein

Great looking car, the front spoiler looks sweet. Thanks for the write-up - I'm planning to replace the front lip and a rocker panel on my car in the spring. I really like the look when these lower parts are painted to match.

Hothonda

★★★★★