Buy INFINITI FX35 Bumper Covers

Overview

INFINITI FX35 Bumper Cover

The bumper cover-also called the bumper skin, fascia, or outer shell-wraps over the steel bumper beam on the 2003-2008 INFINITI FX35. It gives the SUV its smooth shape, hides energy-absorbing foam, guides airflow, and takes the first hit from low-speed bumps. Most covers are molded from flexible polypropylene (PP) so they spring back from parking-lot taps and weigh only about 15 lb, helping keep the FX35's curb weight near 4,300 lb (Infiniti News).

Fit & Model Years

• 2003-2005 front cover - PartsLink code IN1000127, OE code F2M22-CG040 (Amazon)
• 2006-2008 front cover - reshaped for the mid-cycle facelift (different grille opening and fog-lamp seats).
• Rear covers also change after 2006 to match new taillight styling.
• All covers bolt to the same crash beam but use year-specific brackets and energy absorbers (Z1 Motorsports).

Key Features

• Material - textured, paint-ready PP/TPO plastic that bends without cracking (BOYI).
• Openings - slots for fog lights, tow hook, head-lamp washers (if equipped).
• Undertray lip - channels air under the truck and helps the FX reach a 0.36 drag coefficient (Car and Driver).
• Energy foam - crushable block behind the cover absorbs impacts up to 5 mph (Z1 Motorsports).

Materials

Polypropylene is light, rust-proof, and resists most road salts. Its tensile strength is about 4,800 psi (marlinwire.com), but pure PP is brittle in cold weather, so automakers blend it with rubber and talc for extra impact toughness below -20 °C (British Plastics Federation). Research shows that adding EPDM rubber raises notched-impact strength above 35 kJ/m²-ideal for bumper skins (ResearchGate).

Safety Rules

The U.S. bumper standard in 49 CFR Part 581 covers passenger cars only; SUVs like the FX35 are exempt, but Infiniti still designs the cover to line up within the 20-inch height zone noted by NHTSA (NHTSA). Behind the skin sit sensors for airbags and, on later FX models, radar for automatic emergency braking, a feature NHTSA will score in 2026 safety ratings (AP News).

Installation Steps

Always disconnect the battery and raise the truck on stands before you start.

1. Remove 10 mm bolts and push-pins along the top radiator support and wheel-arch liners (My4Dsc).
2. Detach lower splash shield - six Phillips screws under the chin (Infiniti Scene).
3. Unplug fog lamps and parking sensors (if equipped).
4. Slide the cover forward with a gentle pull at each fender clip; watch a step-by-step video for visuals (YouTube).
5. Transfer trim pieces (grille, lamps) to the new shell, reverse steps to refit, and torque fasteners to 26 ft-lb where specified (JustAnswer).

Time: about 90 minutes for a DIYer with hand tools.

Paint & Color

You can spray a primed cover at home, but factory-match paint gives the best look:

• Find the paint code sticker on the driver-door jamb (examples: BW9 Liquid Platinum, KH3 Black Obsidian) (InfinitiFX, YouTube).
• Scuff with 600-grit, wipe with alcohol, spray plastic adhesion promoter, base coat, and flexible clear coat.
• Add flex additive if using a 2-K urethane so the finish bends with the fascia.

Repair Tips

• Small scrapes - wet-sand, fill with flexible glazing putty, prime, and repaint.
• Cracks - V-groove with a rotary tool, plastic-weld from the back, then reinforce with a PP mesh and two-part bumper epoxy (YouTube).
• Broken tabs - rebuild with fiber-reinforced filler or new clip rivets.
• Cost check - DIY crack repair can save hundreds versus a $1,200 shop quote (Reddit).

Care & Maintenance

• Wash the bumper shell with pH-neutral car soap; harsh degreasers dry the plastic.
• Apply synthetic wax or ceramic spray every 3 months to block UV fade.
• Inspect parking sensors after any tap-they sit just behind the cover.
• Keep splash shields intact; they keep grit off the back side and reduce rust on metal brackets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does the bumper cover absorb crash energy?
A: The plastic skin mainly hides the steel beam; the real absorption comes from the foam block and reinforcement bar behind it (Z1 Motorsports).

Q: Can I swap a 2006-2008 cover onto my 2004 FX35?
A: No. Mounting clips line up, but the grille opening, fog-light shape, and hood edge differ, so gaps will show.

Q: What tools do I need?
A: 10 mm socket, Phillips screwdriver, plastic-clip pliers, and a trim panel tool (Infiniti Scene).

Q: Where is the paint code?
A: On a silver label in the driver-door jamb (look for a three-character code) (InfinitiFX, YouTube).

Q: Is polypropylene recyclable?
A: Yes. PP bumpers can be shredded and re-pelletized; many automakers use up-to-20 % recycled PP in new skins (marlinwire.com).

Q: Will a cracked fascia fail inspection?
A: Cosmetic cracks rarely fail safety checks, but a loose cover or exposed sharp edges can be cited.

Q: How heavy is the cover?
A: About 13-16 lb without paint or grille, depending on year (Amazon).

Q: Do I need to remove headlights to change the cover?
A: No. Headlamps stay in place; only the wheel-arch liners and top trim come off (My4Dsc).

Q: What's the difference between a bumper cover and a bumper cap?
A: They are the same part-other common names are bumper fascia, skin, shell, or valance.

Q: Are aftermarket covers safe?
A: Aftermarket PP covers match OE thickness and pass the same flammability tests; check that the part carries the correct PartsLink number for proper fit.

Helpful Resources

• Infiniti Factory Service Manuals on NICOclub (NICOclub)
• 3M plastic-repair video for PP bumpers
• Detailed removal photo guide (my4dsc.com)

These links provide step-by-step visuals, official regulations, and technical specs to make your bumper cover swap simple and safe.