2003 Pontiac Vibe GT All Done

Here is the "before picture" http://auto.consumerguide.com/images...1990005LRG.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/2...14014896_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/2...14014897_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/2...14014899_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/2...14014900_o.jpg
http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/1/4/2...14014901_o.jpg

to get this thing finally done i used the dynatex stuff you see in the picture, the red filler is bondo bumper repair. i sanded it down and wet sanded probably about 100 times untill i got it right. i first used a generic sandable primer to fill in the slight scrapes that were left behind from the general sanding. once the primer was in i wet sanded it with 2000grit paper for a few hours and did another coat of primer to make sure it was all smooth then back to the 2000grit paper to give it a glass like finish. then wash it all down with soap and finall paint spray it down with satin plastic paint and wait for it to dry :P


- dynatex filler and hardener
- bondo bumper repair kit
- sandable primer
- plastic surface satin spray paint
- 120 grit paper to smooth out filler
- 320 to get rid of cracks
- 320 with water to smothen out
- 2000 with water to gloss out

that lock good, you make a god work ;o)

Looks good, sometimes I miss my old Matrix.

Looks even better than if it had been stock!!! Awesome work, really worth the effort. You should post a tutorial on how to get such a fine job!

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Originally Posted by chomo

Looks even better than if it had been stock!!! Awesome work, really worth the effort. You should post a tutorial on how to get such a fine job!

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hehe thanks :P

I’d post a tutorial but honestly there isn’t much to it just needs a lot of patience. When putting the pieces together just make sure they look straight and fill in all the gaps with the best adhesive you can find, i found that the quick weld compound worked out fine. Once you got all the gaps filled in let it sit overnight to harden fully and just pull out some 60~100 grit paper to even out the surface... then move up to 180~320 to make it smoother, then over to 320~600 or so with wet sanding to start to get a nicer finish and really get ALL the holes and scratches out.

Once that’s done move on to wet sanding with 1000~2000 grit paper until it’s so smooth that it feels like glass. finally you can wash it all off and wash the surface down with soap or shampoo, let it dry and spray a layer of sandable primer on it. Let it sit for about 3 minutes and then spray another layer on. Let it try and settle for a good few hours, best to leave it overnight in a well ventilated area. Most likely you will notice tons of little scratches and scuffs, at this point you can move back to wet sanding with 2000 grit paper until its perfect.

Then go back to the primer and do 1-2 layers again. If its all good let it sit overnight and apply a layer of plastic spray paint, let it sit for a few minutes and apply another layer. key thing though whenever spraying primer or paint make sure to stay about 15-20cm away from the surface and spray in strokes back and forth, never paint with a continuous spray and don’t get impatient and put the can too close as it will definitely screw it up and clog up finish.

All in all the whole process should take you about 2-3 days and ALOT of sanding and drying. always remember that if there’s a hole, a dent, a crack, anything major don’t worry about it, just add some more filler and back to sanding no big deal :D

Nice.

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Originally Posted by MatrixPC

Nice.

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thanks, you know your project was my inspiration :P

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Originally Posted by pasic

thanks, you know your project was my inspiration :P

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both of you are my inspiration. i have an 03 vibe gt also with an alpine HU and 2 alpine amps. Im only in the planning stages now, but im going to do something similar to matrixpc. i cant wait!!

::Up from the grave!:: :lol:

Just curious as to where you mounted the PC? I'm not sure if I want to put mine under the drivers seat or behind the back seat.

Wow, Nice install. Where did you stick your HU?