Best way to Cut front bumper? Tips?

Burton12 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:10 pm **Posts:** 63

Hi guys I'm thinking of cutting the front bumper To make it look like this
Any tools tips or technique to help me out

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:27 pm

Put masking tape on in the area to cut. Draw out the line you want. Use Jig saw, rotozip, dremmel or any cutting tool. I did mine when the bumper cover was off to install my front hitch so I had no worries about what might be behind the cover.

MidnightLiberty · **Joined:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:42 pm **Posts:** 270

Use a straight edge and sharpie or masking tape. Then Sawzall dat beeotch.

Neatus · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:06 pm

MidnightLiberty wrote:

Use a straight edge and sharpie or masking tape. Then Sawzall dat beeotch.

I love me some sawzall action but if you are not a surgeon with one I would recommend a jig saw or dremel.....just my 2 cents

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:12 pm

I heat the plastic up just a little bit then use a 6 inch long saw for cutting drywall, can control it real easy, heating the plastic makes it cut real easy and smooth. Have used a dremel on one but like the little drywall saw.
check out larry e wallers red Kj I did his last. Well he did a couple of cuts :lol:

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:22 pm

If you go the route of the Dremel,a neat lil trick is to double up the disks.
Got tired of breaking them,tried it and it worked.

dgeist · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:29 pm

I've got a similar need: thinking about just getting rid of the knock-outs near the tow-hook mounts and want it to look as "factory" as possible. Obviously the dremmel/drywall saws, etc will do a good job, but all are either serrated or grinding-type cuts. Has anyone used a cutting guide and a sharp blade to score the plastic deep enough that it snaps or peels apart cleanly, especially on a painted bumper? I was thinking the method used to cut plexiglass would work well and avoid having to clean things up with sandpaper afterwards. Would light use of a heat gun be okay on the painted surface and would that make it easier to cut?

Dan

tomsjeep · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:23 pm

Among the few mechanical feats of skill I possess is cutting things precisely with a sharp blade (graphic artist). I cannot recommend a blade for what you're asking for dgeist, because a blade thin enough to make the cut without distorting the plastic is not going to survive the process and is likely to snap, leaving you with a marred surface. With an X-Acto Knife, straight edge and the requirement to do the cut, I would have to make about 10 passes over each section to get the cut right.
Tommudd's idea of heating and drywall saw sounds more workable to me, but that's just my 2 cents.

Albert · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:20 pm

I used a dremel with a cutting drill bit. It went through like butter. You just need to mark the cut and have a steady hand (hands).

Just my experience.

DryBones · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 9:17 pm

dremel and go slow, you will get the hang of it pretty quick! Wear safety glasses when cutting, that hot plastic flies all over! :lol:

KJWildman · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:00 pm

We ( or actually Tom) took a heat gun to the flair and heated until it just started to get a little shiny and just cut right thriugh with a razor knife. I chose to follow the natural line formed by the driving light opening and used the top edge as the line across and inside edge vertically. I had to use a key hole saw on the underneath plastic , it seems to be heavier and a different type as to not soften up like the outer cover.

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:30 pm

If you go the razor blade route I connot more highly reccommend a better blade than the Irwin Bimetal Blue Blades...super strong and sharp

phluffhead · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:49 am

used a regular razor blade knife to cut out area for my tow hooks, nice neat and easier than expected

Renegade24 · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 11:33 am

to be honest mine half broke off while wheeling, so i took my pocket knife and sawed it off with brute force, then when i got home i filed it down to a smooth edge.

KJedmonton · **Posted:** Fri Sep 25, 2009 1:27 pm

Will all these trimming techniques work if your bumper is painted? I would be scared of chipping, but love the look of it...

Burton12 · **Joined:** Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:10 pm **Posts:** 63

Thanks for all the tips guys I should be able to geter done

yodejt02 · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 12:33 am

When I did mine I used a special dremel bit that had a locking cutting blade. That seemed to cut throught the plastic like butter and it was a very stable cutting tool with the locking system. I had tried just the screw in type and found that they broke much easier. Also, take off the bumper and let it sit in the sun for a few it will soften the plastic and make it cut easier. Any route you take I would suggest using a fine tooth file to finish the job. The plastic seems to blister up when using any type of cutting tool. A file will give up a very nice finished look.

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

Cut it like this :lol:

DryBones · **Posted:** Sat Sep 26, 2009 8:39 am

what the heck is that bumper and where do i get one? :lol:

djui5 · **Joined:** Tue Jun 17, 2008 1:38 am **Posts:** 536

It used to be a TJ rear bumper. Little fab work and now it's on my KJ.

Best way to Cut front bumper? Tips?

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