Invader FB Cracking?, VIS Fiberglass, hairlines! :( Options

[mgnt232]

So I have a full invader kit,and the rear and sides are fine, but they went on easy. The front was hard to do, and I had to fit it and take it off...fit it...take it off.
But anyway its on there, with not too much pressure, a little against 2 of the lights, but not much.
And just recently (within last month, its been installed for like 6) Its been getting hairlines in between the highbeams, around where the emblem would be. They are vertical, and bout 1-2" long Another just "sprouted" lol I dont know how they keep appearing? I dont hit stuff.
The cracks are not all the way through, just like the tip of a fingernail can fit into some of them.
I tried to use some "bondo glazing putty" to fill, but it didnt work.

Any ideas? Ever happened to anyone? Common?
thanks

[4-eyed-freek]

yup, i got -em actually 2 or 3 there very anoying but oh well i guess u can not!!!! bent the bummper oops lol

[mgnt232]

yeah they just started happening though, seems weird.
wondering if i should fill them with some fiberglass resin? I have some left from my amp rack, but dont know if it will fix it at all

[Espo]

Did you buy a cheap version or a genuine Invader?

You get what you pay for, always and especially with body kits.

[mgnt232]

Its a VIS Invader kits, i mean its no $3,000 veilside kit. But its not a $250 "vader" kit either. I guess you would call it an in between kit.
I am just wondering why it started happening lol.
It has been VERY hot out the last few weeks, like high 90°'s to the 100°'s, and freak thunderstorms at night where temps can get like low 50°'s. I dont know it the unbearable heat and the cold, kinda expand and contract it, causing it to crack?
I dont know, but its an idea

I think im going to fill them with some fiberglass resin, unless someone says it could be bad.
thanks guys

This post has been edited by mgnt232: Jul 20, 2010 - 4:54 AM

[yarik83]

Crap and here I am trying to finish my sandwich before 7am.

#1 99.999999% of all people with vader like body kit do not have authentic vader. In 10 years I have been around 6gc celicas I have met only one person who claimed he had "the kit" but has never presented proof so by my book they are not existent.

So.

What happened was your bumper was either a little too long or too short. When you bolted it to your car you probably did so during cold weather so when it starts getting hot it puts extra stress on joints and between that and the fiberglass... cracks find their way.

Unbolt the kit on a nice hot day and attach 1 side of it to the car using 3 bolts on the right or left behind headlights. Gently move other side to match body work and observe how your bumper is doing. 50% chance it will not line up. In that case remove lower lip and try to repeat the same thing. Your fitment should improve dramatically. If it does prop the lip to the car and pencil in places where holes match or do not match. Re-drill accordingly. Bolt it all up and you will solve half of your issues. Worst come worst you might have to cut your bumper straight down the middle and trim it or expand it and then re-fiberglass it.

[mgnt232]

I did do it when it was kinda cold out, but in a heated garage. I dont know if that mattered. When I did it I took it off several times because it was a bad fitment, but it goes one and comes off with no problem now (just did it this morning) shaved down the inside of one of the high beams (only one hitting) and all the stress that was there went away, you could see the bumper "fall back" a little (toward the high beam)
Hopefully that was the little stress that was making it crack?
When I originally put it on, i did it without the bottom lip several time to get a good fitment, then added the bottom lip (slowly) I did take my time with it because I didnt want anything to happen lol.
So would filling the cracks with fiberglass resin be ok?
thanks alot everyone

[Espo]

You would be correct about the expansion/contraction. Fiberglass is one of the worst automotive material offenders. My buddy's firebird (The entire body is fiberglass) expands and contracts like you wouldn't believe. Over the years, the paint work has cracked, but never the actual glass.

I would go with Yarik's suggestion.

[yarik83]

fiberglass cloths+lots of resin
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/8384/celicaxat017.jpg

[mgnt232]

Thanks for the pic, I will prob pull off the bumper this weekend or next, and cut it in half a little nervous about it lol. But if it stops it from cracking im up for the challenge, and i got a ton of fiberglass left over from my amp rack. Ill post if i have any problems-