Hi everyone,

Figured I would finally get around to making my first post here since I have something meaningful to share lol

I recently modeled and 3D printed my own bumper plugs because I am an engineer and I do not like the idea of spending $180 on them. I saw the autozone bumper plug DIY, but I designed these to be flush to the bumper (or at least really close). I would like to share the .stl file in case anyone is interested in downloading it and printing it themselves.

Here is the thingiverse link: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4745582/files

Here's some pics. Gonna sand them down and paint them when my touch up paint arrives; might have to make a V2 if there's not enough material to be flush after sanding.

 

Double posting because apparently I can't edit my posts yet

Forgot to mention if anyone wants these but doesn't have the ability to 3D print but would like some of these, there are services out there that will 3D print things for you. I can't recommend any but a google search will work. Also if you are in University, your school's engineering department can probably print for you. I would also be willing to print and ship them for you, just shoot me a DM and we can work something out.

 

The link doesn't work and I can't find anything if searching for "Acura bumper plug".

Any reason why the surface is not smooth? PETG printed on glass bed usually have really nice reflective surface.

 

I just made my account so I guess Thingiverse has a 24hr limit before it will be published. So maybe that link will work tomorrow? I'll check back again tomorrow and see if I can get a working link. If you want it right now I can figure out some other way to send you the .stl.

It looks like that because the exposed surface of the plug isn't flat, I had to taper it to be flush with the bumper. Since it's not flat I had to print it the other way around, the other side was in contact with the bed. Also used PLA

 

That explains the link. Also, after 24h, you will need to press "Publish" again as right now it's just saved. Well at least it was my experience when using thingverse.

I think I've read that PLA is not very good with UV, but since you are planning to paint it, it should be fine. Also sanding it a bit probably won't hurt.

 

Nice job!

 

You can overprint and use some acetone to smooth the surface up, or simply sand it down! Great idea to use the 3D-Printer for those plugs. You could probably just use some body filler and paint over them too.

 

CF wrap the plug

 

I just published the file, here is the link: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4745582

Paint came in today, gonna try to make these look not ugly and report back with results

 

sands smooth 80 grit, use some good filler to fill any gouges. sand 80 again, 220, 320 then primer paint.

 

Awesome idea, thanks for sharing. "That is the Acurazine way".

 

Update. Found that normal PLA doesn't work too great for this, plugs shrunk and fell out after about 4-5 months. Honestly didn't expect that to happen. Think I will try a second revision. My school has 3D scanners I can check out so I can get a little bit more creative with the design. Will also try a filament with higher operating temperature and see if that helps with the deformation issue.

 

Use PET-G.

PLA will warp with any kind of heat and it isn't UV stable. PLA works well for prototypes, but I wouldn't count on it for final parts that are used in a car.