Decopification: Filling some holes (not that kind)

[KITT222]

There's a lot of good reasons to buy the most recent Caprice: The 6.0 V8, RWD, big interior... There's also reasons not to, one of them being the holes in the bodywork. Push bars, antennas, wiring, and lights need mounting. Then they need patching once the car's service is through. There's plastic holes to fill, and metal holes to fill. This will discuss filling the latter.

My front bumper must have had the full wraparound push bar, because there's these big holes in front, and some round ones in the side.

This particular car came out of Washington state, which uses these push bars

The poor car has worn an ugly rubber face guard most of its life. And without it, these big holes remain. Getting an unspoiled bumper cover is going to be expensive, so that's not really an option at this time. Instead, I should see about filling the holes.

Here's the dimensions of the holes:

Clearly filling these is going to be a challenge. But there are actually options...

A place called 'Nenno' makes some filler pieces that could cover up these holes no problem

My only problem with these is that they cover the hole and might look obvious. I'd cover the round holes with a rubber plug if it wasn't going to look exactly the same when I was done. But, honestly, the round covers might be what I go for (Nenno also has a cover for the spotlight holes, but that's a discussion for filling metal holes).

Thus, I had an idea... My Vibe has some accessory driving lights in the bumper.

I'm a bit of a nerd for good lighting, and I've been impressed with these LED light bars. They're a DOT Driving light pattern, and great for empty country roads. And the same place makes some littler versions...

Behold, the Diode Dynamics SSC2 flush-mount light pods. They don't have an SAE beam pattern, but they do have a combo flood/spot pattern. Given that they would only be used in the countryside, I think I can justify that. And some dimensions...

Without the flush-mount bezel:

The GOOD news is that it appears that they'll fit the rectangular holes' width. The BAD news is that I'll need to embiggen the holes' height. That would only be a problem if I wanted to restore this bumper, but to be honest, I'm not sure it'd be worth the effort. I also don't want to look like a cop, and installing lights in my bumper might have the opposite effect. I'd paint the bezels of the lights white so at a glance it would look complete. Hopefully that would be enough to make it look more 'cool' than 'cop.'

So, what does Oppo think? Go for the lights and enhance my countryside visibility, or does Oppo know something I don't that might work better? I've also considered furniture filler plugs, but they don't make them in the size I want, and are big and unsightly.

[Vondon302]

@kitt222 I vote for lights.

[CobraJoe]

@kitt222 This might be the best solution to not look like a cop:

Cut a patch from a junkyard bumper, and zip-tie "stitch" it in place!

Or another non-cop look you could use:

[Smallbear]

@kitt222 Light it up.

[Dr. Zoidberg]

@kitt222 If the stickers are cheap, buy those now and do a dry set and see how you feel about it. If you don't like what you see, go with the lights or budget for however it is shops patch those holes and a respray.

I'm not sure about those lights because of the black housing nor do I like to hear you need to embiggen the holes.

[KITT222]

@dr-zoidberg The rectangular patches are $30, round ones just under $20. For some reason I can justify the round but not the rectangular. I have a buddy that can do bodywork (that I'll be calling about the metal holes) but those are already some BIG holes in the plastic.

I'd paint the housings white so they'd stand out less. I definitely don't want a big, glaring black bezel on my bumper. Making the holes bigger just means I'm committed to the aux lighting more than this particular bumper cover. If I still had some Photoshop to mock things up I feel like it'd make the decision a little easier...

[Dr. Zoidberg]

@kitt222 Hmm, those are some relatively expensive stickers alright. Any idea what your buddy would charge just to fix the bumper, or is it beyond patching as you hinted?

[Qaaaaa]

@kitt222 I would take cuts from a junkyard bumper cover with similar curve, then fiberglass or plastic weld the patches in, then paint

[dogisbadob]

just use white duct tape

Most taxis are used cop cars and usually keep the push bars too

[KITT222]

@dr-zoidberg I'd have to ask him. He's used to plastic welding cracked bumpers from crashes, not things with holes missing. @Qaaaaa's suggestion is what I'd do if I have to fill these. I don't know, I also like the idea of the aux lighting. But it's going to be worth talking to him...

[WhoIsTheLeader]

@kitt222 The placement would be a little odd but considering there's already a big hole there, it might not be the worst idea. Might look better with agood enough patch in my opinion.

[dejock]

@kitt222 i vote for remounting the push bar, then adding auxiliary fogs

side question: any experience with the diode dynamics ssc1s? im about to pull the trigger on a set of the sae fogs for my 4runner, would love to hear your past experience. is the wiring harness they have worth the extra cost?

[Bandit]

@kitt222 Keep your eyes out on car-part.com for a junked Caprice with a good bumper cover. Average cost there looks to be sub $200. A new OEM cover is $440 ish which is expensive, but cheaper than I would have expected.

[tysmagic]

@qaaaaa said in Decopification: Filling some holes (not that kind):

@kitt222 I would take cuts from a junkyard bumper cover with similar curve, then fiberglass or plastic weld the patches in, then paint

this is my suggestion as well! Cut and plastic weld in some other white plastic to fill the holes.

Imo, the lights are too cop car looking.

[KITT222]

@dejock I have no experience with the C1s. I was considering getting one, mounting it to a 12V flashlight, and seeing how it was. But based on my SS6s, I'm impressed. I wouldn't expect the same output from 1 chip as 6, but the C1s are neat and should be good as fogs. FWIW, the Pro models are generally the way to go if they'll be mounted high enough and if you want to throw light VERY far. For my 'car' uses, I'd be happy with Sport.

[ForSweden]

Idea: re-install the pushbar, but paint the push bar in a fun not-police color

[AkioOhtori]

@kitt222 Hmmm for the bumper I'd probably go with the round patches for the outer round holes (they'll look like parking sensors imo) and honestly would see if a front euro plate might cover the rest? A bit overdone but like... easy fix if it'll cover the big rectangular holes. If a euro plate won't, then probably go with a "normal" front plate and the rectangular patch stickers.

But yeah, I'm guessing you could get a new cover sourced and painted for... $700?

[KITT222]

@forsweden Possibly important to mention: As is the car might only barely fit in my garage if it ever had to. A pushbar would mean I'd never be able to garage it.

[Dash-Doorhandle-and-Bondo]

@kitt222 there's this : and also this: <img src="https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0250/7194/products/3m-8115__1_large.jpg?v=1599862237" alt="3M 08115 Panel Bonding Adhesive, 200 mL Cartridge"/> seeing as you have a Caprice there's a 99%chance you're not in Canada so Dominion sure seal products might not be available. the 3M 8115 panel bond adhesive is expensive but I've personally used it to fill hitch receiver sized holes in plastic bumpers. Not what the product was designed for but it's a bloody miracle from heaven. Both products will require some paint and body but done right will leave no evidence. the 3M stuff is more expensive but feathers out nicely. Hope this helps, love your Chevy squad car.

[Dash-Doorhandle-and-Bondo]

@dash-doorhandle-and-bondo sorry the image cropped out the name. It's dominion sure seal bumper repair kit. There is probably an equivalent permatex product.

[dejock]

@kitt222 thats really good intel, thanks! not sure how high is "high enough" but im planning to stick them in the front bumper of my lifted 4runner instead of doing a lightbar that would be mostly obscured by my front license plate. looks like the sae fog is equivalent to "pro" at least in price, so i'd imagine they'd be good for my intended use case.

[KITT222]

@dejock I'd call that "high enough." IIRC there's mounting kits for Toyotas that should make the job easier. Go for it, and post up the results!