Remove bumper top protector

Phoenixcat · 08-20-2017, 01:27 PM

So my car came with a steel top bumper protector. I don't like it as I think it ruins the whole look of the back of the car. I want to remove it but it's stuck on so I'm a bit concerned it might take off some of the paint with it.

Has anyone taken one of these off? I was thinking perhaps worst case I replace it with a black one if I damage the paint.

UKF30 · 08-20-2017, 01:44 PM

I think if you use heat gun from some distance and start gently peeling away and it should come off without damaging paint .

Why would someone stick that on black car beyond me

RalphyBMW · 08-20-2017, 01:49 PM

Just beware that the bumper top is quite vulnerable to scratches. I fitted one of these to my grey F31 to prevent paint damage.

Phoenixcat · 08-20-2017, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKF30

Why would someone stick that on black car beyond me

Previous owner specc'd the car with M-Sport diffuser then added the steel bumper protector!

Phoenixcat · 08-20-2017, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

Just beware that the bumper top is quite vulnerable to scratches. I fitted one of these to my grey F31 to prevent paint damage.

Where did you get yours from? I'd be interested if I could get one in black.

UKF30 · 08-20-2017, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixcat

Previous owner specc'd the car with M-Sport diffuser then added the steel bumper protector!

see there is always someone who likes something you hate

You can always wrap in black vinyl if can't be removed without damaging the paint .

Jeff123 · 08-20-2017, 02:03 PM

Could you spray it black? It would protect the car and be less distinctive.

Phoenixcat · 08-20-2017, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff123

Could you spray it black? It would protect the car and be less distinctive.

I reckon that would cost more than a replacement one in black.

I might try the vinyl wrap idea, if it looks crap i’ll take the plate off.

djcowlin · 08-22-2017, 03:54 AM

I think you'll struggle to get it off cleanly, and it does help prevent scratches to the top of the bumper. A replacement in black wouldn't look at all shabby IMHO (I have one myself).

Gabreigns · 08-22-2017, 06:17 AM

Have you considered just vinyl wrapping black gloss? It might cost you about 12 USD for a 3M one. Not sure how much it would be there across the pond.

Phoenixcat · 08-22-2017, 07:25 AM

Just bought some vinyl gloss wrap from eBay, I?ll let you know how I get on!

Picking up some 442m alloys tomorrow so the car should start to look better.

teaston · 08-22-2017, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixcat

So my car came with a steel top bumper protector. I don't like it as I think it ruins the whole look of the back of the car. I want to remove it but it's stuck on so I'm a bit concerned it might take off some of the paint with it.

Has anyone taken one of these off? I was thinking perhaps worst case I replace it with a black one if I damage the paint.

My guess is the paint underneath is badly scratched and they fitted this instead of getting a bumper respray!

NotGotABimmer23 · 08-22-2017, 11:49 AM

Don't cheap out on the wrap, the knock off stuff is garbage. 3m 1080 Is what you want.

IndotagSwizz · 08-22-2017, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

My guess is the paint underneath is badly scratched and they fitted this instead of getting a bumper respray!

+1

ahmedb · 08-23-2017, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djcowlin

I think you'll struggle to get it off cleanly, and it does help prevent scratches to the top of the bumper. A replacement in black wouldn't look at all shabby IMHO (I have one myself).

Does the black steel protector not scratch just as easy as paintwork? That section of bodywork is notorious for swirls/RDS, particularly on the Estates. I have a black F31 myself

teaston · 08-23-2017, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixcat

Just bought some vinyl gloss wrap from eBay, I?ll let you know how I get on!

Picking up some 442m alloys tomorrow so the car should start to look better.

Is the bumper protector textured at all? If so then you won't get the wrap to stay on it. You might get it looking good but it won't stay there when exposed to the elements.

Phoenixcat · 08-23-2017, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teaston

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixcat

Just bought some vinyl gloss wrap from eBay, I?ll let you know how I get on!

Picking up some 442m alloys tomorrow so the car should start to look better.

Is the bumper protector textured at all? If so then you won't get the wrap to stay on it. You might get it looking good but it won't stay there when exposed to the elements.

It?s flat so should stick.

Tommyj · 08-26-2017, 05:36 AM

Heat gun and try dental floss to cut through the gluey stuff

Phoenixcat · 08-28-2017, 02:43 PM

Well I took it off, it was held on with double sided tape. Bumper underneath is as new so a bit of a result.

teaston · 08-28-2017, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixcat

Well I took it off, it was held on with double sided tape. Bumper underneath is as new so a bit of a result.

Nice, I'm glad my prediction was wrong!

Gabreigns · 08-28-2017, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixcat

Well I took it off, it was held on with double sided tape. Bumper underneath is as new so a bit of a result.

Great work. Looks good!

UKF30 · 08-29-2017, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixcat

Well I took it off, it was held on with double sided tape. Bumper underneath is as new so a bit of a result.

Miles better without that horrible silver strip , good job

08-20-2017, 01:27 PM	#1
Phoenixcat Private First Class 39 Rep 102 Posts Drives: BMW 330d M-Sport F31 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: London iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 Tesla Model Y [0.00] 2012 BMW 330D [9.00]	Remove bumper top protector So my car came with a steel top bumper protector. I don't like it as I think it ruins the whole look of the back of the car. I want to remove it but it's stuck on so I'm a bit concerned it might take off some of the paint with it. Has anyone taken one of these off? I was thinking perhaps worst case I replace it with a black one if I damage the paint. Attached Images
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08-20-2017, 01:44 PM	#2
UKF30 Brigadier General 2524 Rep 3,863 Posts Drives: BMW G30 LCI Black Saphire Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I think if you use heat gun from some distance and start gently peeling away and it should come off without damaging paint . Why would someone stick that on black car beyond me
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08-20-2017, 01:49 PM	#3
RalphyBMW Captain 165 Rep 942 Posts Drives: F31 330d xDrive MSport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: West Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Just beware that the bumper top is quite vulnerable to scratches. I fitted one of these to my grey F31 to prevent paint damage. __________________ 2016 F80 M3
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08-20-2017, 02:03 PM	#7
Jeff123 Jeff 318 Rep 1,451 Posts Drives: 330d M Sport x-drive F30 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0)	Could you spray it black? It would protect the car and be less distinctive.
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08-22-2017, 03:54 AM	#9
djcowlin Captain 283 Rep 797 Posts Drives: G21 330e Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: York/Scottish Borders iTrader: (0)	I think you'll struggle to get it off cleanly, and it does help prevent scratches to the top of the bumper. A replacement in black wouldn't look at all shabby IMHO (I have one myself).
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08-22-2017, 06:17 AM	#10
Gabreigns Major 494 Rep 1,076 Posts Drives: F3x Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Have you considered just vinyl wrapping black gloss? It might cost you about 12 USD for a 3M one. Not sure how much it would be there across the pond.
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08-22-2017, 07:25 AM	#11
Phoenixcat Private First Class 39 Rep 102 Posts Drives: BMW 330d M-Sport F31 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: London iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 Tesla Model Y [0.00] 2012 BMW 330D [9.00]	Just bought some vinyl gloss wrap from eBay, I?ll let you know how I get on! Picking up some 442m alloys tomorrow so the car should start to look better.
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08-22-2017, 11:49 AM	#13
NotGotABimmer23 Colonel 834 Rep 2,113 Posts Drives: 340i touring - incoming Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Leicestershire UK iTrader: (0)	Don't cheap out on the wrap, the knock off stuff is garbage. 3m 1080 Is what you want.
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08-26-2017, 05:36 AM	#18
Tommyj Private First Class 30 Rep 120 Posts Drives: F90 Competition & Boxster 718S Join Date: May 2016 Location: Warwick iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 X4M [0.00] 2019 BMW XM [0.00]	Heat gun and try dental floss to cut through the gluey stuff
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08-28-2017, 02:43 PM	#19
Phoenixcat Private First Class 39 Rep 102 Posts Drives: BMW 330d M-Sport F31 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: London iTrader: (0) Garage List 2022 Tesla Model Y [0.00] 2012 BMW 330D [9.00]	Well I took it off, it was held on with double sided tape. Bumper underneath is as new so a bit of a result. Attached Images
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