Wrapping Front S3 Splitter - Any Advice?

[Silky-S3]

So, I'm thinking of wrapping the centre part of my front bumper, the grey part in the pic below:

to match the front grill, and fog surrounds. Has any one done this (pics would be good)? How difficult was it? I was going to get it painted but don't fancy that as I may want to go back to standard at some point.

Does the middle part come off separate from the bumper, or is it a bumper off job? Also how hard is it to use the wrap, looks like it might be tricky? Just looked on eBay and platy of wrap on there, which is the best type to go for?

Thanks for any help guys

 

[s3ollie]

The splitter is part of the bumper and cant be seperated. (atleast on my 2007 bumper)

Was thinking of doing mine gloss black (paint) or carbon wraping.

 

[Juicy Jen]

We had it done in carbon fibre wrap on the rs3....took the guy ages tbh

I'll see if I can get a picture for you

 

[Silky-S3]

We had it done in carbon fibre wrap on the rs3....took the guy ages tbh

I'll see if I can get a picture for you

Thanks!

 

[Juicy Jen]

I was going to get it done on my S3 when it comes back from the dealer as I think it looks much better

 

[Cruiser89]

Whilst mine is int the body shop getting repaired they are gonna spray my splitter and fog grills gloss black to match the grill.

Thinking about doing the rear at some point too.

 

[rickyquicky]

A friend of mine has a window tinting/car wrapping workshop, i've seen him wrap cars, parts etc.

Wrapping just that part would be very tricky...the problem with wrap is getting it around tight curves and corners without creases/tearing it/getting it to stretch and stick, is hard.

You could give it a go, the only tip I could give is to use a heat gun (or worst case a hairdryer lol) and a LOT of patience, and you would almost definately have to wrap the 3 'bars' (those plastic bits that go down between what you want to wrap and the bumper) seperately, or just leave them. And also apply it a bit at a time starting from one side working to the other, getting rid of any air bubbles along the way.

In actual fact, JUST PAINT IT!!! Trust me will be much easier. Hope that helps :thumbsup:

 

[ScottD3]

have you thought about that plastic coat paint stuff?

Spray it on and when you're done and want to go back to standard, you just pull it off.
Like wrap.

 

[Silky-S3]

The problem with paint is stone chips, and since that bit does not come off the bumper, masking it up....

Carbon Fibre Vinyl : 3M UK & Ireland - reading some good stuff about this. Anyone used it?

 

[ScottD3]

The problem with paint is stone chips, and since that bit does not come off the bumper, masking it up....

Carbon Fibre Vinyl : 3M UK & Ireland - reading some good stuff about this. Anyone used it?

I've used 3M gloss black on my door trims and its lovely stuff. Very easy to work with and once you get some heat on to it its so much more mouldible than the matt I used.

If don't don't want to paint and not very confident or much experience in wrapping, I would look in to the plastic coat stuff. It's only one solid colour but it looks to be really easy to apply to and take off.

 

[Cruiser89]

The problem with paint is stone chips, and since that bit does not come off the bumper, masking it up....

Carbon Fibre Vinyl : 3M UK & Ireland - reading some good stuff about this. Anyone used it?

Does come off bud.

Bodyshop have taken mine off my old bumper and placed on the new one as it wasn't damaged. they are spraying whilst it's off. I understand your concerns about stone chips but it's only the same as if your bumper were to get hit.

 

[rickyquicky]

The problem with paint is stone chips, and since that bit does not come off the bumper, masking it up....

Carbon Fibre Vinyl : 3M UK & Ireland - reading some good stuff about this. Anyone used it?

That part painted will be no more likely than the rest of the bumper to get a stonechip...

Wrapping just that bottom bit will be a headache, and your going to need to cut in the edges of the vinyl if that bottom part doesn't come off. I'd rather be masking edges than cutting them!

 

[audigex]

Two minute photoshop job, in case it helps at all

 

[poli84]

Looks great!!!
Make it happen Silky!

 

[rodaz]

Hi

No problem - i wrapped it in silver, just loose the screws from the bottom and pull it out

 

[Silky-S3]

I've used 3M gloss black on my door trims and its lovely stuff. Very easy to work with and once you get some heat on to it its so much more mouldible than the matt I used.

If don't don't want to paint and not very confident or much experience in wrapping, I would look in to the plastic coat stuff. It's only one solid colour but it looks to be really easy to apply to and take off.

Cheers mate, thats good to know. I'll look into this plastic coat stuff...

 

[Silky-S3]

Does come off bud.

Bodyshop have taken mine off my old bumper and placed on the new one as it wasn't damaged. they are spraying whilst it's off. I understand your concerns about stone chips but it's only the same as if your bumper were to get hit.

That sounds promising can you explain how it comes off? Do you need to take the full bumper off to get at it?

Thanks

 

[Silky-S3]

Two minute photoshop job, in case it helps at all

Cheers!!! Looks awesome. Humm, black or carbon...

 

[JamesS4cab]

This what your looking for?

 

[Silky-S3]

Epic, thats a top job mate. Cant believe you did that with out removing it from the bumper!

 

[JamesS4cab]

Its all about the skill of the desk monkey!!

 

[essIII]

I've done my front splitter and rear diffuser with black plastidip - it sprays on like paint but forms a rubbery coating. Best of all, if you **** it up or change your mind, it peels off.

Plastic Coatings, Rubber Paintould post some pics up but she's a filthy S3 at the moment!

 

[Silky-S3]

I've done my front splitter and rear diffuser with black plastidip - it sprays on like paint but forms a rubbery coating. Best of all, if you **** it up or change your mind, it peels off.

Plastic Coatings, Rubber Paintould post some pics up but she's a filthy S3 at the moment!

Looks intresting mate, your pics would be good! Did you spray the front splitter while it was still on the bumper?

Have you tried peeling it off yet, does it come off easy?

Thanks!

 

[essIII]

Looks intresting mate, your pics would be good! Did you spray the front splitter while it was still on the bumper?

Have you tried peeling it off yet, does it come off easy?

Thanks!

Yep, I had to peel it off the chrome grill surround once, and off my garage floor! And my jeans. Comes off remarkably well.

Sprayed the grill when off the car (was an accident damaged one, so needed some plastic weld too) and then the splitter and diffuser were sprayed while on the car, masked with lots of newspaper!

Pics attached - poor lighting in the underground car park at work!

 

[damo.h]

If your wrapping the front insert you'll have to wrap each fin seperate then cut it into the corners then wrap the main area with a couple of mm overlap.

Plasticote is good stuff but better on internal apps. A good amout ofClearcote over the top should see of the stone chips but for how long who knows. As that area is low to the gravel.

You going gloss or matte ?? If not carbon. If going carbon you wanna be using 3m 1080 viny, if gloss / matte go for 3m ij380 cv3 for maximum durability

 

[essIII]

If your wrapping the front insert you'll have to wrap each fin seperate then cut it into the corners then wrap the main area with a couple of mm overlap.

Plasticote is good stuff but better on internal apps. A good amout ofClearcote over the top should see of the stone chips but for how long who knows. As that area is low to the gravel.

You going gloss or matte ?? If not carbon. If going carbon you wanna be using 3m 1080 viny, if gloss / matte go for 3m ij380 cv3 for maximum durability

Just FYI - Plasticote and Plastidip are two very different products.

 

[JamesS4cab]

Have you got a link to Plastidip pls?

 

[essIII]

Have you got a link to Plastidip pls?

Yep - Plastic Coatings, Rubber Paint

Also worth looking at DYC Home - Plasti Dip For Your Car - Resources & More at DipYourCar.com NEW Glossifier for some examples - including a chap coating his entire b8 s4 in grey, then peeling it off and going for white.

Or search on youtube for people plasti dipping their rims.

 

[Silky-S3]

Thanks all, lot to think about. I think I'm going towards carbon wrap but the plastic spay looks really good, along with much better ease of use I suspect!

Can anyone 100% confirm or not if the front splitter can be removed from the bumper, without removing the whole bumper? If so, anyone got a guide? Is it just a few clips/bolts underneath?

Thanks again

 

[damo.h]

Just FYI - Plasticote and Plastidip are two very different products.

Cheers for that, was going of what Scott posted and read it as plasticote lol

I would look in to the plastic coat stuff.

What's the longevity of that stuff like ?

 

[ScottD3]

Cheers for that, was going of what Scott posted and read it as plasticote lol

What's the longevity of that stuff like ?

I got my ****** plastic wording all messed up. I mean plasti dip.
sorry all.

 

[ScottD3]

 

[Silky-S3]

Just seen this mate. So its just a few screws and then pulls out?

Thanks!

Hi

No problem - i wrapped it in silver, just loose the screws from the bottom and pull it out

 

[FranA3]

get it done mate looks so much better , i like it in gloss black

 

[Virdee]

For starters the front splitter can definitely be separated on a MY12 car.

I had mine done in gloss black. Looks really nice against Suzuka and finishes the front end off IMO.

Removal is very simple - two Torx screws either side and then just clips off.

I bought a new part from Audi and had it painted.

 

[Silky-S3]

For starters the front splitter can definitely be separated on a MY12 car.

I had mine done in gloss black. Looks really nice against Suzuka and finishes the front end off IMO.

Removal is very simple - two Torx screws either side and then just clips off.

I bought a new part from Audi and had it painted.

Nice one, this project is now a GO!

You got any pics of yours?

 

[Cruiser89]

As mentioned, mine was removed.

Few torx 10 screws and the rest is just clips that hold it in place

 

[rodaz]

For starters the front splitter can definitely be separated on a MY12 car.

I had mine done in gloss black. Looks really nice against Suzuka and finishes the front end off IMO.

Removal is very simple - two Torx screws either side and then just clips off.

I bought a new part from Audi and had it painted.

So it is

 

[Silky-S3]

Does anyone know if the rear defuser also comes off relatively easy? May as well do both at the same time.

 

[DJ-S3]

Yep, I had to peel it off the chrome grill surround once, and off my garage floor! And my jeans. Comes off remarkably well.

Sprayed the grill when off the car (was an accident damaged one, so needed some plastic weld too) and then the splitter and diffuser were sprayed while on the car, masked with lots of newspaper!

Pics attached - poor lighting in the underground car park at work!

Just been talking to my panel beater friend about doing this. Looks awesome!!! Think i'm going to try Gloss black though. Shame that plastic coating rubber stuff doesn't come in Gloss black, would of been perfect!!