DIY rear bumper fake vent conversion

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Brian17Si

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I sealed off the front vent with matching black engraving stock. I laser cut to fit perfect if anyone is interested in the piece. I've cut the rear bumper vents out but haven't tackled the actual black vents yet, hoping to this weekend. I was surprised how easy the bumper was to cut with new utility blade and how well it turned out. When I cut the actual vents I want it to be 100%, I plan to cut around the perimeter of the mesh between the smooth part and the outline that sticks out. I don't know if I can get this perfect with a razor blade. I think I might have to touch it up with a little drum on a dremel tool. If the plastic greys then I'll probably repaint it black. Whats your thoughts, how did you cut out the black plastic piece?

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Awesome job so far man!!! I’ll add to front page when done. Good luck on the rest and excited for outcome. This is actually an epic update because you were able to easily cut (with box cutter) the bumper on car. So now it’s established not needing to remove bumper. Aka u really don’t need auto-body shop.
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bbeem

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Awesome job so far man!!! I’ll add to front page when done. Good luck on the rest and excited for outcome. This is actually an epic update because you were able to easily cut (with box cutter) the bumper on car. So now it’s established not needing to remove bumper. Aka u really don’t need auto-body shop.
Thanks. Yeah, super easy to cut the bumper. The black vents are a different story. I'm afraid I'm going to be doing a lot of dremel tool cutting and will probably end up having to sand them and repaint them. I wonder what other members did? I already purchased the mesh grill linked on the 2nd page and the led tail/turn lights. If anyone knows the color/ wire diagram of those tail lights that might save me a minute too.
 
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Thanks. Yeah, super easy to cut the bumper. The black vents are a different story. I'm afraid I'm going to be doing a lot of dremel tool cutting and will probably end up having to sand them and repaint them. I wonder what other members did? I already purchased the mesh grill linked on the 2nd page and the led tail/turn lights. If anyone knows the color/ wire diagram of those tail lights that might save me a minute too.
I’m the OP and did the custom work.

With that mesh u bought... cut it to form fit behind the newly cut border. Important notes....

1. Make you the mesh perfectly horizontal aligned. You don’t want crooked mesh. Also, push against bumper between dremel cutting. You have to provide as much mesh behind vent border. You’ll need to also get placement prepared on bumper. Mark lines were bumper dictates until good fit.

2. Make sure to cut enough to fit behind the border. Since the border will hold mesh grill in place.

3. I used gorilla glue to hold but really it’s not needed, the molding on the border of original vent trim is strong enough. Should lock into place and firmly hold mesh.

The miraculous thing is this...

Now after u cut, there should be slight less or exactly 1/8 inch gap from OEM vent to bumper. The mesh grill listed is 1/8 inch thick. For me it was a perfect fit.

You sandwich the mesh between the original vent border and the bumper itself. Once you press OEM vent border back into place (listen for pops), it locks mesh into place.

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY rear bumper fake vent conversion 8C144E0F-3A11-4432-B5CF-C5B7866E43B6
 
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@bbeem Just curious on how much of a pain it was to pry off the vents front and rear? did a normal plastic prying tool suffice?
 

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@bbeem Just curious on how much of a pain it was to pry off the vents front and rear? did a normal plastic prying tool suffice?
I'm glad you asked. They will likely be a pain your first try but its not too bad. Ive had the front off 4 times and they don't get loose or anything the more you take them off. For the front use 1 or 2 flat blade screw drivers (with round barrels not square barrels) in case you have to pry between vent and bumper. once you get a gap you should be able to stick in a finger so not to mar it; the back side has little tabs every 2 inches like its stitched together. just separate the tab pieces with your flat blade and use the screwdriver to poke the tab forward so you can get a finger under to help pull. Start on the outside of the fender and work in, when you get to the inside bottom there is a push pin to release before pulling it out.

The rear vents have 2 phillips screws each to remove. use a stubby #2 to get to the upper one, its hard to reach, its kind of hidden above the lower screw. I didn't see this at first and struggled, also I only used the lower screw when reinstalling. The rears come out the same way, separate the tabs and poke them to help it pop out. once you cut the bumper they will be much easier to remove because you can actually press on the vent from behind.
 


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Just some recent pics of build and rear vents holding up beautifully. The other day someone thought they were OEM.. “I like how Honda’s making active vents now.” :D

Honda Civic 10th gen DIY rear bumper fake vent conversion 503A5FF9-071A-4C29-BE40-49854361A085
Honda Civic 10th gen DIY rear bumper fake vent conversion 74828D85-63F3-4D86-9F6A-1B1B1270D7CA
Honda Civic 10th gen DIY rear bumper fake vent conversion AD7EB3B3-90C1-4A91-9AA0-E4AD83CD3797
Honda Civic 10th gen DIY rear bumper fake vent conversion 951D0E1A-3A33-4AE9-9CF8-E69813D036F4
Honda Civic 10th gen DIY rear bumper fake vent conversion E8BB75B7-7868-4EA6-B841-FF0E12FD0FB6
 
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bbeem

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Very nice! I'm excited to finish tonight myself. Taking the vents out and cutting the bumper took 30 mins. I spent about 6 hours on the vents, but they are perfect. I cut the perimeter with a vertical mill and then used a bit in the dremel to get a couple thick spots. I then used an electric finger sander and drum on a dremel then we sanded to make it perfect. Was truly a lot of work. Without a mill you could cut the whole thing with a bit on a dremel with some finesse and then use finger sander, i got one from harbor freight for $38. Finger sander and dremel required. I'll upload pics of the whole process tonight! Need to get done quick before I take it to dealer for the "factory all seasons" put on, I got the eagle F1s about burnt off in 12200 miles and get the free set of crappy tires tomorrow. I'm thinking of leaving if flashed though because otherwise I have to unplug the flex fuel line off the radiator so when I flash to stock the fans aren't always running. The car is obviously built anyway...
 
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Very nice! I'm excited to finish tonight myself. Taking the vents out and cutting the bumper took 30 mins. I spent about 6 hours on the vents, but they are perfect. I cut the perimeter with a vertical mill and then used a bit in the dremel to get a couple thick spots. I then used an electric finger sander and drum on a dremel then we sanded to make it perfect. Was truly a lot of work. Without a mill you could cut the whole thing with a bit on a dremel with some finesse and then use finger sander, i got one from harbor freight for $38. Finger sander and dremel required. I'll upload pics of the whole process tonight! Need to get done quick before I take it to dealer for the "factory all seasons" put on, I got the eagle F1s about burnt off in 12200 miles and get the free set of crappy tires tomorrow. I'm thinking of leaving if flashed though because otherwise I have to unplug the flex fuel line off the radiator so when I flash to stock the fans aren't always running. The car is obviously built anyway...
That’s awesome, I truly love hearing that they came out perfect! Our timeframes are very similar and the vent cut I had same experience. I then had them sprayed matching high gloss black. I really enjoyed those 6 hours of craftsmanship and I know you did too. I look forward to seeing the final results. Yeah, I’ll reflash mine back but understand with your flex fuel setup to consider leaving as is.
 
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Wow! Great job, it looks amazing and the craftsmanship is absolutely perfect.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

You’ve scratched an itch that many other’s cannot. You’re part of a rare group and you’re in good company...

 
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bbeem

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For anyone that's following this I'd like to offer my vents for sale. Complete with sequential LEDs as in picture. They look amaizing! I'm considering trading for the type R this week. I think a member will enjoy these more then the dealership. They're definitely pretty special!
 
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For anyone that's following this I'd like to offer my vents for sale. Complete with sequential LEDs as in picture. They look amaizing! I'm considering trading for the type R this week. I think a member will enjoy these more then the dealership. They're definitely pretty special!
That’s awesome. How much you looking to sell?
 

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I don't want to be offensive but I think they're worth $150 each with lights. Considering parts and tools and labor. I'm probably too proud of my work. I had about 6 hours milling and shaping the bezels and had to buy a finger sander and parts for the project and use my father's mill and and bandsaw, dremel ect. Used the eBay 3d mesh and a few hours cutting and sanding and glueing that up. The iJDM sequential LEDs are awesome! Get these even if you don't do the vent cutout. I'll supply wago electrical connections so you can snap the wires right together. I heat shrinked and insulated ferreled the wires. The nightmare of the project is cutting the fake vent. Even with a perfect fixture in a full size vertical mill it is so hard to cut. I would also also ask for your OEM so can sell the car of course. I'll also include the black laser cut plastic piece that conceals the front passenger vent hole. I have the template saved if anyone is interested in that piece cut to fit si perfect. I can make them for $10.
 
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Since this thread is for those who struggle with the fake vent black hole look, I'm wondering what you think of painting the black trim to match the factory color like in the Photoshopped image? This is for a hatchback. I saw a four door Si the other day and noticed it didn't have the odd black piece connecting the two vents. It made me think of painting the trim surrounding the vents and the connecting part. I received a quote of $400 to remove the bumper and parts to get a professional quality (not just taping off the parts and spraying). Thoughts?
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I don't want to be offensive but I think they're worth $150 each with lights. Considering parts and tools and labor. I'm probably too proud of my work. I had about 6 hours milling and shaping the bezels and had to buy a finger sander and parts for the project and use my father's mill and and bandsaw, dremel ect. Used the eBay 3d mesh and a few hours cutting and sanding and glueing that up. The iJDM sequential LEDs are awesome! Get these even if you don't do the vent cutout. I'll supply wago electrical connections so you can snap the wires right together. I heat shrinked and insulated ferreled the wires. The nightmare of the project is cutting the fake vent. Even with a perfect fixture in a full size vertical mill it is so hard to cut. I would also also ask for your OEM so can sell the car of course. I'll also include the black laser cut plastic piece that conceals the front passenger vent hole. I have the template saved if anyone is interested in that piece cut to fit si perfect. I can make them for $10.
Sweet, I think your priced perfect. I’ll PM so we can discuss more.
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