stickgoat's multi-step guide to SE front lip restoration - With PICS!

[stickgoat]

From the makers of "stickgoat's multi-step guide to de-yellowing headlights", I bring you my guide to restoring the front lip on your S14 SE. I am making multiple replies to my own topic as the board settings only allow very few images per post.

If your S14 is anything like mine, 6+ years of rocks, ground scrapes, bugs, etc have taken it's toll on the appearance of your front lip. Chances are you've got scrapes, chips, and all sorts of uglies plaguing your otherwise delightful front end. (because after all, your headlights aren't yellow anymore, right??)

Again, I make no claims that you will emerge from this project with a showroom-quality piece, but your lip will look MUCH better.

Items Needed: Black spraypaint (I prefer Krylon for the high-quality), a finish of your choice (I used Satin), sandpaper (I had 150 and 100 grit), 10mm socket.

Step One: Note your crappy-looking, scraped up lip.

[stickgoat]

Step Two: Grab that 10mm socket and look underneath the lip. You'll notice what turns out to be 11 little nuts and 4 wingnuts that must be removed. It'll probably go something like this-



Should not be too difficult to take off, although the wingnuts are a bit of a pain in the bum due to their location. You'll be ok, trust me.

[stickgoat]

Step Three: The lip will be removed.



Take a chuckle at your lipless SE.

[stickgoat]

Step Four: Sanding will be the next step. Sanding will not only help smooth out the years worth of chips and scrapes, but it'll help the paint adhere a bit better, as well.



I bought both 150grit and 100grit, and ended up using the 150 before the 100, so I just didn't bother with the 100. You can either make my silly mistake, or do it right.

It'll start to look a little something like this as you make your progress-

[stickgoat]

Step Five: Once you have your lip adequately sanded (use your own judgement, but try to get it as smooth as possible...get rid of that excess plastic that is starting to peel off), you're ready to start painting! Find a good spot to do it. Try to avoid using newspaper as you don't want it stuck to your part. I set mine up like this-



Now, using many thin coats, begin your painting process. I used a "half-flat" black to help retain a stock color look. I probably ended up doing nearly 30+ coats before I called it good. After a bit of progress-

[stickgoat]

Step Six: After you have completely painted over the lip, and you feel that you've done a satisfactory job of such, you're ready for your finish. I just used a satin finish as I didn't want anything high-gloss. The finish will give a nice touch as well as add some protection to the fresh paint. A couple coats of this and you'll be good to go.

Once your lip is all painted up, she's done! (try to ignore the cabinet full of crap)



And yes, I took that pic of myself so that's why it looks a bit odd.

[stickgoat]

Step Seven: Now it's time for reinstallation. Installation is the opposite of removal. I didn't take any pics of this, but I'm sure you can figure out how to do it yourself. I found it easiest to put nuts back on two screws on one side, then go do the same on the other. Helps support the weight of the lip and makes things easier on yourself.

Step Eight: Admire your handywork!



You'll see that it looks MUCH better. The pictures actually don't do it much justice, it really does look like I have a whole new lip on the car. Touches up the appearance of the front SO much.

[stickgoat]

Step Nine: Actually, there is no step nine, you're done. Feel free to take further pics of your car, because now, thanks to stickgoat's multi-step guides, your S14 front end is looking MUCH better.



Any questions? Feel free to ask. It really is a simple afternoon project that will definitely spruce up your car. I highly recommend it!

[Former_240_s14]

thats a great write up!!!!! Thanks for posting it up!

[stickgoat]

Thanks!

[theronin]

Worked great stickgoat thank you... but i had one problem. When i bought my baby my lip was already off and he just handed it to me! with all the bolts but he didnt have the nuts and wingnuts. can you tell me what size of nuts i will need to get from the store? thank you dear.

[Redline240]

that would probaly work good for the rear md flaps too...just a thought...

Redline

[MainEvent212]

omg stick goat is a girl!!!!

lol i never knew...

[[Zero-S]]

Down boy. (BTW stickgoat, nice work...thats two you've given us). Too bad I drive an S13 and can't use either.

[96_S14_SE]

ME: man your rather slow hehe j/k... then again you recently reg'd about the time she stopped posting and became re-obsessed with probes.

Stickgoat nice write up again... NOW what do you do when your lip has no lower overhang, meaning its virtually flat on the bottom, and the drivers side support for the hole is cracked internally? Then there is the large chips you can see the depth on hehe.

My lip is trashed, and so is my bumper!! OH WELL, at least I dont worry about eating cones hehehe... I think I need to use some low low grit to take all the paint off. Then possibly some polyurethane glue to fill / secure the voids in the divider. Then sand and paint,

Good show, with images again!! Glad you kept her.

[S-14boy]

Awsome post, I wish I could do the same but I dont have a darn front lip on mine.

[96_S14_SE]

Ah the curse of the usdm kouki s14

Youve been to my house hehe so you know the majority of my chin being that way is because of my driveway!! Its ground down perfectly now....

[stickgoat]

Thanks for the comments, ya'll. The lip is still looking great, I just put in new rear speakers this evening, and ordered a new muffler last night. Soon as that puppy comes in it's off to the exhaust shop for a custom 2.5inch pipe from the cat. 240 be gettin' some lovin' these days.

The bolts are 10mm.

[LaureltheQueen]

looks great stickgoat! Hope to see more from you in the future.

[GrEy240SX]

Down boy. (BTW stickgoat, nice work...thats two you've given us). Too bad I drive an S13 and can't use either.

:Werd