I’m going to make an attempt at 3D printing the 92-93 bumper plugs. I won’t make an exact copy of them with the capability of clipping in. To keep the model simple I would make it that you use adhesive to attach them. I have access to a basic printer at work, so the hard part is making the 3D model.
I will try to emboss something in them, like “G2IC” or the Acura logo, we’ll see about that part.
If anyone can make the model quicker than me (you young guys with no kids maybe!), go for it, and please share. Otherwise I’ll work on it when I can. No rush.
Fixed the curve and filled in the middle. It’ll take some time to work out the little details. The left and right are unique. It’s amazing Honda did this for the car, when all other years before and after used the simple (but not as nice) plugs.
They taper thicker as the go towards the center of the vehicle. So a lot of angles to deal with. And they have two notches on the bottom.
I’ve updated the model a bit. Took some retries because there seems to be some bugs in the SW I’m using. I’ll be upgrading it next week so it should be easier to make adjustments. It is good enough to make a first print and test fit one. While measuring my bumper I discovered two things: My trim is painted so I am not getting the true dimensions (depth). And secondly, my bumper has been impacted lightly before I owned it so the holes have the creased paint around the edges and the holes are not perfectly shaped. I’m talking only fractions of a millimeter, but it makes a difference. After this first print I’m going to see if anyone local has an undamaged and unpainted front bumper I can use to re-measure and test fit. ( I live in Vaudreuil, if anyone nearby has one, let me know).
I won’t be making it clip in, like I mentioned. If I did it would need to be in two parts. And the clips would not be that strong. I’m still going to try and figure out a way to remove them if needed. The first pass will just use PLA plastic in white since it is easier to print with. ABS black plastic will be the final one.
I’ll likely print one tomorrow.
Nothing right now. If I were to sell them I would want to make sure they are durable enough and very little hassle. It will probably take another two tries in the next week or two to finalize the size and shape and then I would “drive test” them for a while to make sure they stand up to some abuse like sunlight for example. When they will be good enough for me, they’ll be good enough for you. If anyone at that point is still interested I’ll look at pricing.
I could make them rough dimensions and then the end user files them slightly for a perfect fit but I’d rather give something that fits on the first shot. And have a way to remove them if needed. You can’t access the back side to push them out and I don’t want to use something like a screw driver to pry them out. I’ve got one or two ideas that I’ll apply on the next print.
I’ll be test fitting the one I did over the weekend.
I’m not an expert 3D guy, just doing things on occasion that are needed for work. If the plate holder is for G2IC, there was a member that emailed me saying they have a family member who does 3D modeling, maybe they can help. I can pass you his info in a PM if you want.
I was thinking of the plate holder, or just a lower bar between the two bottom screws that was G2IC.com branded. I was going to suggest this to you to get done.
I’ve got an idea for an interior part, not gonna reveal it yet, still need to see if it is possible. It’s crazy, in a few years from now everyone will have a 3D printer at home. It’s coming for sure.
So I test fitted the part. I was at least 1mm too big all around, so a lot of gentle sanding and filing to get it to fit. I’ll try to find a 92 undamaged and unpainted bumper on the weekend before I make a second test.
