Buy Mitsubishi Eclipse Bumper Covers

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Summary

A bumper cover-also called a fascia, skin, or valance panel-is the molded plastic shell that gives a Mitsubishi Eclipse its finished nose or tail look while hiding the metal impact bar underneath. From 1990-2012 (four Eclipse generations) the covers were mainly polypropylene or TPO blends that balance light weight with flex, accept paint well when prepped correctly, and help smooth airflow around the car. Proper fit depends on model year, coupe vs. Spyder body, and options like fog-lamp holes or park-sensor cutouts. Owners often replace the cover after cracks, fading, or minor crashes; DIY removal is straightforward with basic tools; repairs use plastic welding or flexible fillers; and recycling programs now turn old covers back into new compounds.

Quick Overview

The Eclipse used a plastic bumper skin on every generation, starting with the 1G models in 1990 and ending with the 4G in 2012 (Wikipedia).
This cover clips over foam absorbers and a steel or aluminum beam; it is cosmetic but also guides air and cushions small bumps (Reddit).
Most factory covers weigh about 10-15 lb (4-7 kg) and are flexible enough to spring back from parking-lot taps (SAE Mobilus).

Fitment Guide

• 1G (1990-1994): square fog-light blanks; exposed bolt heads under the lip.
• 2G (1995-1999): tall center opening; coupe/Spyder share the same basic shell.
• 3G (2000-2005): single-piece design with wraparound marker lights (YouTube).
• 4G (2006-2012): deeper lower grille and integrated air-splitter.
  Front and rear covers are not interchangeable; neither are RS/GS vs. GT/GTS trims because of different lamp or spoiler cutouts (club3g.com).
  Always match paint code and sensor holes before ordering.

Build & Materials

Most Eclipse fascias are polypropylene blended with EPDM or talc for strength; this is a thermoplastic olefin (TPO) grade used across the industry (SAE Mobilus).
TPO resists dents yet stays light, helping fuel economy and meeting U.S. 5 mph bumper rules (NHTSA).
Because raw TPO is hard for paint to grip, makers spray a thin primer called "jetchrome" at the factory (3M Multimedia).

Why It Matters

A smooth cover guides airflow around the nose and wheel wells, lowering drag and saving fuel (ResearchGate).
It also hides crash beams that meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Part 581 for low-speed impacts (NHTSA).
Fog-light pods, grille shapes, and lip spoilers all mold into the same skin to cut weight and part count (Wikipedia).

Installation Steps

1. Unbolt six upper clips, two fender screws, and the splash-shield pins (club3g.com).
2. Slide the fascia forward; unplug fog-lamp and side-marker harnesses.
3. Test-fit new cover dry; adjust head-lamp gaps to 3-4 mm.
4. Torque bumper beam nuts to 57 ft-lb if removed (DSMtuners.com).
5. Paint off-car: scuff with P-800, apply adhesion promoter, then base-coat/clear (3M).

Care & Repair

Wash with pH-neutral soap; avoid harsh degreasers that dry plastic.
Small gouges fill with flexible filler after promoter; sand P-180 and reprime (3M Multimedia).
Cracks wider than 3 inches weld with nitrogen hot-air or fiber-reinforced rods, then skim-coat (Polyvance).
Always wipe plastic with isopropyl before paint to remove mold-release wax (3M Multimedia).

Common Problems

• Spider cracks from minor bumps.
• Faded clear-coat on sun-exposed cars.
• Broken tabs where the cover bolts to liners.
• Sagging gaps after tow-hook use.
  All are fixable with plastic welding or clip kits; replacement is easier if multiple issues stack up (Polyvance).

Rules & Safety

U.S. law says the bumper system must protect lights, hood, and fuel system in 2.5 mph corner hits and 1.5 mph head-on hits (NHTSA).
Covers alone are not structural, but a cracked fascia can expose sharp edges that fail inspection in some states.
Always reinstall energy-absorbing foam; it helps spread load in 5 mph impacts (NHTSA).

Green Factors

Damaged covers are 100 % recyclable; firms shred, wash, and pelletize them into new TPO compounds (Recycling Today).
Choosing remanufactured plastic trims CO₂ versus virgin resin and keeps bulky waste out of landfills.

Style Options

Aftermarket lips, carbon-fiber overlays, and mesh-grille inserts fit over the stock shell; many owners copy the movie "Fast & Furious" Eclipse look.
Wind-tunnel studies show a small chin spoiler can cut drag up to 7 % on similar coupes (ResearchGate).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a bumper cover?
A: It's the thin plastic shell (also called a fascia or skin) that hides the metal bumper bar and gives the car its shape (Reddit).

Q: Will any Eclipse cover fit my year?
A: No. Each generation (1990-94, 1995-99, 2000-05, 2006-12) has unique clips, lights, and grille lines (Wikipedia).

Q: Can I swap coupe and Spyder covers?
A: On 3G and 4G models, yes; on earlier generations, the lower lip angle may differ, so test-fit first (YouTube).

Q: What plastic is it made of?
A: A blend of polypropylene and rubbery EPDM called TPO that bends without cracking (SAE Mobilus).

Q: How do I prep new plastic for paint?
A: Scuff with fine sandpaper, wipe solvent, spray adhesion promoter, then prime (3M).

Q: My cover has a 2-inch crack-repair or replace?
A: A nitrogen plastic welder and filler can restore strength; costs less than new paint-matched parts (Polyvance).

Q: Are bumper covers structural?
A: No. The impact beam and foam do the work; the cover is for looks and airflow (NHTSA).

Q: Do I need to remove the headlights to change it?
A: Usually not. Just loosen upper screws and slide the skin forward (club3g.com).

Q: What size bolts hold the cover?
A: 10 mm hex screws under the fenders and plastic push-pins along the splash shield .

Q: How tight should bumper nuts be?
A: Torque the beam-to-frame nuts to about 57 ft-lb on 3G Eclipses (DSMtuners.com).

Q: Can I recycle an old cover?
A: Yes-body shops can bundle them for TPO reclaim programs that turn them into new car parts (Recycling Today).

Q: Does a lip kit help performance?
A: A small front splitter can shave roughly 7 % of drag on similar coupes, improving mpg at highway speed (ResearchGate).

Q: Are aftermarket fiberglass covers lighter?
A: Often they are heavier and more brittle than factory TPO, so choose wisely if weight matters (SAE Mobilus).

Q: What if the paint peels soon after respray?
A: The likely cause is missed adhesion promoter or poor cleaning; redo the prep steps (3M Multimedia).

Q: Does the bumper cover affect crash ratings?
A: Ratings depend on the whole bumper system; an intact cover keeps sensors and foam in place for proper energy absorption (NHTSA).