C5x7, frnt bumper grill repair, adhesive ?

[Stickyfinger]

Hi guys.

Just deep cleaning the new car ( I HATE HAIRY DOGS !) both in and out as I find it a most excellent way of spotting all the little points and defects that are so easy to miss....

well, there is a crack in the grill which I can fix with some U shaped channel to bridge the crack and give strength.
I would rather not drill and pin so was wondering about a good flexible mastic that would bond to the grill plastic and keep the U channel in place.

Oh, who knows the best way to remove the grill on a 2009 x7:) ?


cheers

[qprdude]

Don't know about mastic but vborovic has changed the lower section of the grill to a chrome one if I remember correctly. I think he had pics somewhere but can't find them. If it's the lower part then he would know.

[Xantippa]

I think it's quite difficult to take out that grill without taking out the whole bumper. It's only plastic clips that are holding it in place, but you can't reach them through the grill holes, I think. And first you have to take out that chrome list which is attached same way.

It might be possible to reach bumper's inside and the grill if you take out plastic protection plates under the engine.

[vborovic]

Rick, you're talking about this, right? ... http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/forum/v ... er#p391740" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... anyways, thanks for remembering me ... ... actually, the chrome part was just attached to the existing grill, no other modifications were necessary ... as for the getting out part, here's a PDF on how to disassemble the front bumper entirely: http://www.filedropper.com/strafrontbumper" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Stickyfinger]

Thanks for that Vaborovic, I think I will have to work from the front based on the PDF , I can do it with cable ties i think, well I will give it a good go anyway .

So, which mastic to fill the support channel and bond to the plastic ?, Vaborovic, what did you use to stick on the chrome trim with ?

[addo]

A full cure polyurethane would work best. Sika 11FC is an example. Epoxies are a WOFTAM, as is cyanoacrylate.

[vborovic]

The chrome grill I've installed has 3 anchor points (center + 2 on the sides), each of which consists of 2 protruding flat pieces one above the other, which basically sandwich the plastic grill horizontal lines, and after they come in place (basically, you push the chrome grill onto the plastic one until it reaches the end), you fix them with a screw and a cog behind the plastic grill, to hold the chrome grill in place ... as for the mastic, not sure, I'll see if the Service Documentation has any leads on the plastic repair methods and materials ...

[Stickyfinger]

Its OK, I found some two part in a dispenser, it is designed for bumper plastic so should be ok with a high grit rub down. I will drill holes in the U channel to act as keys and cable tie for 24hrs just in case.

[qprdude]

Never mind all that broken grill cobs, how are you enjoying the car so far?

[Stickyfinger]

Its VERY nice thank you....I am even getting used to the colour
The car is very tight, it drives very well indeed with good power and a very smooth box. I like the sports gearbox mode when needed but the sports suspension ?, I like to "boat" a Citroen round corners so I so far leave it off.
Seats are great with the memory, I sit low in my cars so I use memory 2 for a "parking" position....oh to play with new toys

I used a "clay bar" on it yesterday and got so much crud off it shocked me , then a machine polish, then today, chrome and trim, washed vinyl and seats leather balm'ed, n MAJOR vacuuming of dog hairs and gave the outside a good 2 x Wax and then a top shine polymer coat.

.......looking good Amigo

[isisalar]

A good all round mastic which sounds like it would be suitable for the job is CT1, useful for loads of things, and sticks to wet surfaces. The multisolve solvent is also brilliant.
http://www.ct1ltd.com/en" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;