Front Bumper Restoration - warning: lots of pics

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:49 pm

Just another write up (mainly pics) for those interested.

Not sure if this generic to all red NA6 fives but my bumper was looking really sad. No matter how many times id polish it, 2 days later it would look faded and completely out of place. The bumper really isnt in the best of conditions, it has shrink makrs on each side, holes from the old number plate bracket and a cracked front lip to the bumper. (all i can say were not me but the previous owner) Anywho, im going to Tassy this coming week and want her to be looking her absolute best coz i want to get some nice pictures. So... ive decided to restore the bumper the best i can and give it another coat of paint. Ideally i need a new bumper but ive got nothing to loose.

Same process as my side skirt restoration except this time there is no need to strip the paint. Chances are im going to be sanding and then painting directly over as it is a nice clean surface.

Here's what ive done so far. A nice sand down and bog. Ive also glued up the crack in the bottom of the bumper. I forgot to take pics but ill take more in the morning to show the repaired crack.

Tomorrow (sat) will be the sanding and painting day, i hope to get at least 3 coats on if the weather permits. Sunday should be further painting and maybe start a light sand. The mazda decal hasn't arrived yet so it will be going on later.
More pics to come Sat night. Fingers crossed...
Jimmy

MXkal · Postby **MXkal** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:56 pm

careful you dont crack that bog, Front bar is a fair bit more flexable than ordinary body filler.

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 8:59 pm

MXkal wrote:careful you dont crack that bog, Front bar is a fair bit more flexable than ordinary body filler.

Thanks for the heads up. Most of what you see will be coming off as the number plate dents are reasonable shallow. I just went a bit overboard with the bog. I mixed up too much and it seemed like such a waste to not use it so i thought id put it all on (knowing that ill be sanding it off) so that i get my moneys worth

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 7:50 pm

Bog sanded back. A flexible sander was used to match the curve of the bumper.

I used a piece of dowel to match the groove

And then came the paint.

Then a sand. First with 1200 then with 2000
It bleeds...

Autpoglym Paint renovator

This was rushed a bit due to my lack of time.
All work was by hand, no random orbital sanders or alike, just elbow grease.
Clear coat has only just gone on. Am leaving over night to harden.
Final result tomorrow night (sunday)

Boost · Postby **Boost** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:02 pm

What sort of paint did you use jimmy?

MXkal · Postby **MXkal** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:31 pm

that doesnt look too shabby at all. I am going to have to paint my front bar soon too

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:32 pm

PowerPlus Classic Red from Autobarn. Went through 4 cans. Its not a perfect colour match due to colour fade but its close enough. Total cost is $60 (4x PowerPlus cans, 1 large can of clear coat, bog, flexi sander, sand paper) I recommend anyone attempting this to mask of high ridges and panel joins to prevent \"burning through the paint\" when sanding, cutting and polishing and especially when using a random orbital sander/polisher. Come back and do them carefully later by hand.

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:17 pm

Clear Coat unsanded

Clear coat sanded with 1200, then 2000

And the final result. Autoglym Paint Renovator was used followed by Meguires Step 3 Polish x2. Unfortunately it was about to rain so i didnt bother to wash the car coz it would only get dirty again. So please excuse all the dust, dirt and grime, it will be washed/polished soon! All in all, not bad for a weekends work

Its not perfect but a huge improvement on what it was, would you agree?

So in comparison:
Before (silly me forgot to take a photo before i sanded it but u can see the damage from the old number plate bracket.

And after

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Ajay · Postby **Ajay** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:24 pm

looks pretty bloody good to me... i think i might try this now i have the paint.. i have huge dents in my front bumper from the old plate bracket..

Alfadog · Postby **Alfadog** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:35 pm

That looks great!

Let's see some pics with the bonnet and lights down though

Jimmy · Postby **Jimmy** » Sun Nov 25, 2007 10:38 pm

Let's see some pics with the bonnet and lights down though

Only after ive washed and polished her. There's way to much dust and muck on the bonnet from all the sanding with wet and dry. Ill post some up monday or tuesday evening.