Hi Guys
I have to replace my front and back bumpers on my EF.
And i am planing on doing it all myself (i am on a pension so i don't have that much cash).
Ok i have a sanding pad on my drill that i am planing to use. The bumpers are second hand and have some rather deep scratches, of cause i have a range of paper from a*** to fine.
what I need to know is what products that i need to use on plastics

like a cleaner for dirt and grease ?
and i know you can get bog (body filler) for steel what kind would i need for plastics?
and the kind of primer that you use for plastics

I think i have this right you don't need to get all the paint of just make it rougher so the primer will stick ?
So first i do the sanding and get it all smooth.
Then bog the deep stuff (there's no holes i have to worrie about).
Then resand till all is smooth
Then clean with a cleaner
Then paint with primer let it dry ( how many coat would be good ?)
Do I then sand the primer or have to clean it before i put the color on?

but most important is The kind of products that i need to use on plastics

Thanks
Lucion

Last edited by Lucion on Tue Apr 24, 2012 2:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Well i just got a quote today on how much it would cost to paint both my bumpers.
$800 / $1000. which is a bit out of my range.
looks like i will have to guess what i need to do this

Q-I think i have this right you don't need to get all the paint of just make it rougher so the primer will stick ?
A- Paint over the exsisting paint with a decent primer.

Q-So first i do the sanding and get it all smooth.
A-Yes

Q-Then bog the deep stuff (there's no holes i have to worrie about).
A-Yes, ther is a special filler for plastic. Do not use normal filler, it will crack.

Q-Then resand till all is smooth.
A-Yes

Q-Then clean with a cleaner.
A- This is done first and after every step of prep with Presol/Wax and Grease Remover only.

Q-Then paint with primer let it dry ( how many coat would be good ?)
A-As little as you need. Primer tends to be more prone to cracking on plactic. Keep it thin as you can.

Q-Do I then sand the primer or have to clean it before i put the color on?
A-Yes and yes. I use 320-400 grit wet and dry un primer. This flattens it out.

thanks so much you have been a big help

No worries.
Bumpers are one of the hardest things because they flex.
Painting over exsisting paint helps because you have good adhesion to begin with.

So very true
all i need now is the names of the products that i need to use
i know you just cant use normal primer and bog and cleaner I have some rather large scratches to deal with on the bottom of the front bumper from driveways.
And living in a small country town i dont sort of trust some guy in a shop for the right products
if you know what i mean

Thanks Again
Lucion

You most likely wont see those scratches anyway. I usually sand off the high spots there and paint over it.

You will need to obtain the Plastic Filler from a Pannel Beating Supplier, it isn't something most autoparts shops sell.

You can use Acrylic Plastic Primer (Super Cheap, Repco ect) if you wish though I have used normal Acrylic Primer for most bumpers I have painted. It will usually be fine unless you hit something. So just dont hit anything

If there is any large areas of raw plastic you will need to use a Plastic Adhesion Promotor Primer on those areas under the normal primer and idealy any area being filled too.

This video will clear it all up for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVLBD-uHRgE even though it is plastic welding, they still go through filling and priming.

lol i am not planing on hitting anything but thanks for the advice
thank a heap for the names of stuff i will need mate
now i can make a start fixing and changing the colors on my bumpers.

again thank for your help and your time mate

Lucion