Be Careful with Replica Body Kits
01-06-2009, 11:58 AM
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*Please note the photos above are NOT the vendor I'm talking about*
I had bought a replica PU AC Schnitzer front lip off eBay for a whoppin $68 bucks. Great deal. Well, the problem happened when they shipped it twisted in the box like a pretzel. It was basically molded into that shape and won't bend back unless you heat it on the bumper of the E60. Not only that, but there are pinholes all over the front face of the polyurethane which means that if you put regular primer on it the primer will sink into the pinholes and air bubbles will appear after you paint it. BIG NO NO.....
So the body shop told me they have to use a heavy primer, sand off the excess primer, and then seal it with a sealer followed by shooting it with paint and clearcoat. Those extra steps put about 3 more hours of labor into the paint job.
So in the end, remember you pay a little up front, but a lot afterward.
I'll post pics tomorrow after its mounted. The good thing is the body shop said if it weren't for the pinhole imperfections the piece is actually pretty good for a replica considering ACS authentic can be like $500.
01-06-2009, 07:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Howitzer' post='760853' date='Jan 6 2009, 03:58 PM
Attachment 68544
Attachment 68543
*Please note the photos above are NOT the vendor I'm talking about*
I had bought a replica PU AC Schnitzer front lip off eBay for a whoppin $68 bucks. Great deal. Well, the problem happened when they shipped it twisted in the box like a pretzel. It was basically molded into that shape and won't bend back unless you heat it on the bumper of the E60. Not only that, but there are pinholes all over the front face of the polyurethane which means that if you put regular primer on it the primer will sink into the pinholes and air bubbles will appear after you paint it. BIG NO NO.....
So the body shop told me they have to use a heavy primer, sand off the excess primer, and then seal it with a sealer followed by shooting it with paint and clearcoat. Those extra steps put about 3 more hours of labor into the paint job.
So in the end, remember you pay a little up front, but a lot afterward.
I'll post pics tomorrow after its mounted. The good thing is the body shop said if it weren't for the pinhole imperfections the piece is actually pretty good for a replica considering ACS authentic can be like $500.
Attachment 68543
*Please note the photos above are NOT the vendor I'm talking about*
I had bought a replica PU AC Schnitzer front lip off eBay for a whoppin $68 bucks. Great deal. Well, the problem happened when they shipped it twisted in the box like a pretzel. It was basically molded into that shape and won't bend back unless you heat it on the bumper of the E60. Not only that, but there are pinholes all over the front face of the polyurethane which means that if you put regular primer on it the primer will sink into the pinholes and air bubbles will appear after you paint it. BIG NO NO.....
So the body shop told me they have to use a heavy primer, sand off the excess primer, and then seal it with a sealer followed by shooting it with paint and clearcoat. Those extra steps put about 3 more hours of labor into the paint job.
So in the end, remember you pay a little up front, but a lot afterward.
I'll post pics tomorrow after its mounted. The good thing is the body shop said if it weren't for the pinhole imperfections the piece is actually pretty good for a replica considering ACS authentic can be like $500.
01-06-2009, 08:03 PM
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i spent a lil more and it was painted and shipped. wrapped in layers and layers of bubble wrap. taking off the packaging took 30 min. u could basically step on the box and be fine. where did the bumper ship from?
01-06-2009, 08:21 PM
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Originally Posted by brabusw209amg' post='761268' date='Jan 7 2009, 01:03 AM
i spent a lil more and it was painted and shipped. wrapped in layers and layers of bubble wrap. taking off the packaging took 30 min. u could basically step on the box and be fine. where did the bumper ship from?
Shipped from cali.