Help/tips on repairing my bumper myself!

RICK

Right guys.. ive got a scrape down one side of my rear bumper and im wanting to attempt to repair it myself.. as i really cannot afford the £250 to have it repaired at a bodyshop.

Im a bit of a noob when it comes to this, ive helped friends do bodywork before but ive only ever done sanding etc..

so i could do with recommendations on what products to buy, what techniques etc etc..

this is the scrape:

it has gauged alot of the plastic out so it will need filling.. but what sort of filler do i need? and what grades of sand paper etc?

i know it wont look brilliant and the colour match wont be fantastic, but id rather it be like that than have a massive scrape!

JohnnyN

You should be able to get hold of some bumper filler at your local motor factor/Halfords. I would recommend that you use genuine Vauxhall paint and clear coat. 500 grit with a sanding block to smooth down the filler and then 1200 grit. If you can, get hold of a prep cleaning fluid and a tack cloth.

I've been repainting my dads wing mirror covers recently. I've been keying it with a green scotch pad and then cleaning fluid (surgical spirit) and then the tack cloth.

Try to do it in the garage where you won't have the wind blowing the paint everywhere. Take your time, there's no rush or else you'll only end up doing it again. sjdickso maybe able to help a bit more on this subject because he's a wizard with paintwork.

;-)

Sjdickso

Johnnys advice is spot on.

As you have already confirmed you know you will not get a bodyshop finish but if you take your time you should be able to get a ok finish from it.

How deep are the scratches, if you can not just smooth out then a very light filler will do but what ever you do dont go mad or your be sanding it down for the next month.

As Johnny says preperation is key and so is taking your time. I would highly recomend OE paint from Vauxhall always a good match.

Then i would flat back with no coarse then 800, then 1200 making sure it is all clean using cleaning fluid. Then some good coats of plastic primer and a few rub downs with 1500 W&D then go for painting then slight rub down with 2000. then a good few coats of laqure and machine polish should get it looking fairly good.

I would highly recomend a Meguiars or 3m sanding block
http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... olish.html

and Meguiars W&D paper.

http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acatalog ... olish.html

If you follow the how to on painting bumnp strips you should be ok.

RICK

Brilliant replies thanks guys.

Doesn't sound too difficult, i'll make sure i take my time. Would i be better to start early in the morning and get it all done in one day or can i take my time and do it over a few days? only thing is the car is used daily.

The scratchs are too deep to sand out yeah, but wont need much filler at all.

Does the OE paint come in rattle cans? As i don't have access to a compressor or anything, and is there any certain technique when spraying with rattle cans? also how long do you leave it between coats/sanding down etc?

will check out the how-to on bump strips.

cheers

JohnnyN

OE paint is in rattle cans and they'll come as a pair taped together top coat and clear coat. I just make sure that I don't apply too much at once and that I spray in different directions each time that I start a new coat. e.g. Horizontally then Vertically then Horizontally and so on.

You'll probably think that the paint doesn't match the existing paintwork. Don't worry, it will change completely once you start applying the lacquer. The clear coat is the one to watch out for when it comes to 'runs' in the paint. Again, just take your time and apply light coats evenly.

thumbup

Daz

Wot they say..^^^

RICK

Top stuff.

i shall be getting everything i need over the next week or so, may attempt it next weekend. will get progress pics aswell.

cheers lads cheers..

Sjdickso

Hope it all goes ok. get some progress pics up.

What ever you do is make sure that the paint has cured before you rub it down for fresh coat, all depends on the condtions if it is cold then it may be better doing over a few days dunno..