Techniques for covering small holes in painted surfaces?

[03Limited]

Just bought an 03 Limited T4R, and it came with the sport bumper trim. You know, the useless, plastic bull bar. I want to remove it, but apparently it's bolted through 4 holes in the front bumper.

Getting a new bumper cover is not an option, and neither is running around with 4 ugly holes. I've been reading up on how people have filled various holes left after removing accessories (spoilers, trim pieces, badges), and have seen some crazy stuff. Everything from doing nothing, to dabbing a little silicone on it, to running a nut and bolt through for that "industrial" look.

Since these holes are in a highly vulnerable and visible location, I want something better. Best I've been able to come up with is finding some paintable plastic plugs that will fit, get a can of matched spray paint from my guy at NAPA, paint the plugs and plug the holes. For additional insurance, I considered visiting my local clear bra or whole-car wraps installer and seeing if they could put a small piece of clear material over that face of the bumper cover.

Has anybody successfully solved this problem?

How did you do it?

Any suggestions for improving my idea above?

Where would I find plugs like this?

Thanks!

 

[<<<<]

You can get these from dealer for front plate holes in color match, but it may not work if drilled holes much larger:

Or, you can buy one of these in any size at local hardware store, spray paint them with closest color match and have a perfect solution:

 

[chaz]

on an older car i had, i glued a flat piece of pvc behind the holes in the bumper with pvc glue, the kind thats used for piping, then used bondo to fill the holes, sanded,then painted, just like you would for a hole in the body, except glued not welded. you couldnt even tell they were there. its a little more involved & costly than plugs, but worked very well. goodluck

 

[03Limited]

You can get these from dealer for front plate holes in color match, but it may not work if drilled holes much larger:

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd64/DeltaCustoms/Scion/tC/Bumper Plugs/EvoDrgn8B1.jpg


Or, you can buy one of these in any size at local hardware store, spray paint them with closest color match and have a perfect solution:

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5391/25019069.jpg

Nice tip on the Scion plugs. I have an inquiry in with Partznet to see if they have an application for the 4Runner. Have to look for those other plugs, too. Can you tell me what they're supposed to be for, so I have a place to start looking?

 

[MikesToy]

The bumper is plasticky so why not get a new one with the profit you make out of the sport bumper trim?

 

[ran]

You'll find the 'hardware plugs' in the electrical dept. Probbly 1/2", 3/4", not sure on larger sizes.

 

[Uneek]

Maybe try JB Weld, it's an epoxy for plastic. Touch it up after it's dried.

 

[03Limited]

Lots of good ideas here. Thanks guys.

 

[seymourwaterz]

Black Duct Tape. :fro: