The Machine

iTrader: (8)

Does your state not require you to run a front plate?

Do you choose not to run a front license plate anyway?

Are you tired of the look of missing bumper plugs?

Are you disgusted that it costs over $70 to get OEM bumper plugs from the stealership?


Well if you answered yes to any of these questions, then I have a very simple and cheap solution for you!! Make your own at a fraction of the cost!


Here is everything you will need:

Bumper Plugs, these can be picked up at any local auto store, Advanced Auto, Auto Zone, etc. They were about $4 for small pack of them. I found this size fit the holes perfectly.



Then get some OEM paint. I actually found this on Amazon for $6.50. It has an applicator brush and it is also a pen to fill scratches.



I bought adhesion promoter since the plugs are plastic. You may or may not need it, but I figured it would be better to use it so I bought a can. You'll also want to pick up some clear coat if you don't already have a can laying around the house from a prior project. Both were about $6 a can and I got them at Auto Zone.





Once you have everything you need, now you can paint the plugs. I did about 3 coats of adhesion promoter and let it dry. Then using the OEM paint I did 4 even coats waiting 30 minutes in between coats to make sure it was totally dry. After that I did 4 coats of clear, again waiting about 30 minutes in between coats.

I waited 24 hours before installing them on the car to make sure the plugs were completely dry since you will be pushing them somewhat hard into the bumper. You will need to use a drill bit to create a hole for the back of the plug to go into. You can see the holes I drilled here.





The finished product:

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

awesome job, welcome back

Oh Sickest TL

iTrader: (3)

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

Sweet!!


Before, the plugs were only like 15-18$ brand new. Now that the price has gone up exponentially, I'll be doing this

robowarrio

Wow that looks great! I was looking for bumper plugs a few weeks back and I went to my local Radley Acura dealership and they were charging me $60 a pop for each! I was like.. no thanks.. luckily I had a very nice board member that hook me up with some. This is a wonderful idea here! Props!

quanaman

iTrader: (4)

LMK if you need a discount there. I get 20% off parts

robowarrio

Awesome bro! I'll let you know cause I do go quite a bit for OEM stuff that I need.

eastcoastguy

Nice work!!

ulrblitzer

<p>Nice. I need to get around to this on my TSX. Dealer drilled into my bumper.</p>

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

Awesome job

Drei

iTrader: (2)

I'll be doing this for my 4G!

Awesome thread, thanks man!

scionxb3003

this is great because I actually was about to order some since im tired of waiting for them in the black market. just throwing it out there though, the paint is actually cheaper from the dealership, unless you have WDP then idk because its like $15 dealer, all other colors $5.56 dealer, $6.65 amazon.

StanCeD_J32

iTrader: (11)

awesome diy! surprised nobody hasn't thought about this before

smsTL

iTrader: (1)

Looks great!
I just bought a pair of OEM plugs for $30 each in MRP color...

scionxb3003

I almost did the same thing, I still might though, I don't like the idea of drilling out the hole so when I get home im going to try and modify the plug instead. if I can ill go this route.

MilanoRedDashR

Very nice, I may have to do this

The Machine

iTrader: (8)

Thanks for the love guys. I'm glad everyone is enjoying it and you now have a nice alternative to spending a crazy amount for OEM plugs.


Scionxb3003, if you think about it, if you had to use the OEM license plate bracket up front, the screws you would have to use basically make a hole anyway. This part is kind of hard to describe, but if you stick your hand behind the bumper where the screw would go through, you will feel a hard plastic piece. That piece is basically like an attached nut. So when the license plate screw goes through, it threads this piece and it holds the screw in place.

No matter what, you will have to make some type of hole for the plug to go into because it needs to be able to grip onto something. The OEM plugs are designed differently to where you don't have to make a hole, they just snap into place like a center cap on a rim would. If you look closely at the bumper you will see 4 little cut outs that the OEM bumper plugs connects into, so that's why you don't have to make a hole if you use OEM.

scionxb3003

I just went and looked at what you are talking about. Im just going to do what you did and if need be ill buy larger screws to put the plate back on. thank you very much for this. it would be done today if acura was open for me to buy the paint.

The Machine

iTrader: (8)

You're welcome man.

You'll never have to worry about putting the front plate on where the bumper plugs go if you buy the hideaway front plate. I had one on my first TL and I ordered another for this one.

thoiboi

Ingenuity! well done Chip!


Luckily for me too, a member hooked it up with some bumper (read:butt) plugs!

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

$30 each

maharajamd

iTrader: (1)

<p>Damn man nice job. I can't believe this is the first time I've seen this considering their ridiculous price.&nbsp;</p>

b15

Looks good! Ill be doing this in the next few weeks as well.

scionxb3003

If anyone is planning on doing this in CBP send me a pm.

scionxb3003

Thanks machine! Great idea, like I said, more excited about this then my suspension finally getting done yesterday.

Anyone else doing this in CBP I have an extra set.

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

Looks good but seems to be push in a little too much

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Well done, buddy!

robowarrio

I was going to say the same thing. It looks like they were pushed in too much but at the same time it could be the plastic clip was bought too small.

polobunny

Agree but better than holes anyway!

scionxb3003

They were pushed in too far. i had them like the machine's and the weren't sitting right. They are fixed now though.

Jt07tltypes

Same here..went to the acura dealer and they changer up the @ss. Thank you for the writeup..this is a way better idea then paying 150+ just for some plastic.

McMaxin

do any of yall know what the original color of the plugs is? gloss or flat black by any chance?

wusty23jd

It depends on the color of your car. Do you have a Nighthawk Black Pearl TL?