jlparsons
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| posted on 26/1/09 at 08:38 AM |
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Tintop paint dilema
Bugger. Have scuffed the bumper on the tiptop. No, it wasn't even swmbo, it was me... sigh. The shame.
So now I have a good square foot of painted plastic bumper that's proper scraped, along with a slight indentation at one point. It's a
one piece plastic bumper on a BMW E90 3 series.
Question is this - do I try stripping, filling and painting myself, or have someone do it? Is it feasible to do it yourself for the first time and
get a decent finish? Anyone have any idea how much this sort of fix should cost to have a pro do it? Obviously I'm keen not to claim on my
insurance!
Cheers folks!
Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during
shipment. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Subject to
approval, terms and conditions apply. Apply only to affected area. For recreational use only. All models over 18 years of age. No user-serviceable
parts inside. Subject to change. As seen on TV. One size fits all. May contain nuts. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Edited for television.
Keep cool; process promptly.
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 26/1/09 at 09:02 AM |
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sounds a write off tbh I'll take it off your hands for a pound
Are you saying you’re going to strip it with paint stripper, cos if so then your bumper will melt, which would be quite funny to see 
Best thing to do is to use very rough sand paper and scoure the surface where the dent and scratches are, so that the filler has a good key.
I've used a high tec bit of wood with sharpened nails in it for this; it should end up hairy if done right. Then just use normal filler in
several thin coats to level the surface, followed by plastic primer, then the colour coat and lacquer.
Many thin coats of paint with plenty of soapy 1200 grade wet and dry leveling between coats. Load of things to go wrong tbh but if you’re patient then
it sound be easy.
most disasters are due to rushing repairs, I've seen folk spraying paint to the point it was pouring on the ground  ehem I think thats
enough on there now!
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britishtrident
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| posted on 26/1/09 at 09:02 AM |
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Really a case for getting a smart repair done, without seeing the damage I would venture most the indentation can be fixed before filling -- it might
just pull out using the hot glue method or it may be a case of pushing from behind while gently heating the area.
However you would still have to deal with the paint damage.
I would suggest you get a quote for a smart repair -- might work out as cheap as buying the materials for one off job --- .
However if you want to do it yourself for small quanities of paint and materials you might find "Paints4U" handy I have used them a
couple of times http://www.paints4u.com/
[Edited on 26/1/09 by britishtrident]
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jlparsons
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| posted on 26/1/09 at 09:24 AM |
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Thanks guys, I'm going to get a couple of quotes first and see what the damage is. If it's cheap then sod it, that'll do. Anyone
know what sort of ballpark figure I'd be looking at? Just so I know to laugh at the guy if he tries to do me over.
Swmbo's car has a bunch of scuffs on it (03 clio) and although it's worth just north of bugger-all in the current climate it'd be
nice to get it looking tidy again. Might be good to learn how to touch up painted plastic! If I do I'll have a good read up, don't
worry, no melted bumpers for me! 
Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during
shipment. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Subject to
approval, terms and conditions apply. Apply only to affected area. For recreational use only. All models over 18 years of age. No user-serviceable
parts inside. Subject to change. As seen on TV. One size fits all. May contain nuts. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Edited for television.
Keep cool; process promptly.
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Peteff
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| posted on 26/1/09 at 10:38 AM |
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I'm always catching the bumper on our wall so I had an aerosol mixed up at the local paint shop and I rub it down with some 80 grit to get rid
of the loose bits, fill it with bodyfiller just enough to fill the ridges then go through the grades to smooth it off and waft some paint over it. You
might have to fill the dent as there is sometimes a layer of foam bonded behind the bumper which stops you getting at the back of it.
yours, Pete
I went into the RSPCA office the other day. It was so small you could hardly swing a cat in there.
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nick205
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| posted on 26/1/09 at 10:50 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
I'm always catching the bumper on our wall
...you want to move the wall out of the way or park somewhere else
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Mr Whippy
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| posted on 26/1/09 at 12:21 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
I'm always catching the bumper on our wall
...you want to move the wall out of the way or park somewhere else
or just not hit it
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britishtrident
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| posted on 26/1/09 at 12:39 PM |
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I mentioned the hot glue method earlier in the thread -- it only requires access from the face side.
Essentially use hot glue melted with hair dryer to glue a puller pad on to the dent and pull the dent out.
http://theclearboxstore.co.uk/PerCasa/the-amazing-ding-king-dent-repair-system-p-11.htm
Also with plastic bumpers the application of gentle heat can make getting quite bad dents out easy -- but obviously you can't heat and use the
hot glue method at the same time.
[Edited on 26/1/09 by britishtrident]
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jlparsons
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| posted on 26/1/09 at 01:03 PM |
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Thanks to all the above. Will have a look at the quote and if he wants more than a ton I'll have a pop myself! The inentation is very very
slight, maybe 1mm tops and very small in area, so a little filling and smoothing should all that's required.
Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. Some assembly required. Batteries not included. Contents may settle during
shipment. Use only as directed. No other warranty expressed or implied. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle or heavy equipment. Subject to
approval, terms and conditions apply. Apply only to affected area. For recreational use only. All models over 18 years of age. No user-serviceable
parts inside. Subject to change. As seen on TV. One size fits all. May contain nuts. Slippery when wet. For office use only. Edited for television.
Keep cool; process promptly.
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