If you own a car, car bumper repair Sydney CBD is inevitable. No matter how careful you try to be on the road, some bumper scratches and dents are difficult to avoid. Fixing a plastic bumper is different from fixing a metallic or fibreglass bumper. Fortunately, plastic bumper repair materials are widely available and are simple to use. This means you can fix minor issues by yourself. Fixing damaged plastic bumpers involves sanding, grinding, sculpting and painting but it is worth the effort.
Choosing an adhesive and preparing the fascia
After removing the piece of plastic from your car bumper, you will need a warm and dry place to work in to ensure the repair adhesives cure properly. The types of adhesives you will need depend on the plastic type you have.
The first step should be to find a stamp on the inside of your car bumper labelling it as TRUR, PUR, TPE, PPO and PP. When you buy your repair products, you should consult with the counterman at your auto repair shop to determine the right recipe for the plastic bumper you have. You should stick to the same brand for your products and ensure compatibility.
You should start by slightly scuffing the area and cleaning the area with plastic surface cleaner. Make sure you scrub the outer and inner surfaces of your bumper if the bumper is torn or cut through completely. After cleaning the surface of the bumper and letting it dry during car bumper repair, you should wipe the area with the right prep solvent.
Grind a V
When the solvent has dried, you should sand the area with 80-grit sandpaper. You will then need to form a V groove in the area on the back and front sides of the fascia. The V grooves allow you to align the edges more easily. They provide more surface area for the bumper repair material to adhere to. For the plastic types that powder after sanding, cut the grooves using a 24 grit disc on the sander while for the plastics that smear after sanding, make the grooves using a rotary file and cordless drill.
Mix the adhesive and fix the tears
Repair cuts and tears from the back side of the fascia. You might have to align and hold the edges of the repair using masking tape on the front of your fascia if the tear or cut is large. Use self-stick fiberglass- tape to add structure to the tear or cut.
Thoroughly mix equal amounts of your hardener and the repair adhesive on a piece of paper or cardboard and apply it over the tape using a body filler squeegee. Ensure the first layer of tape is in place and apply a second layer so that the threads run at an angle of 90 degrees to the first layer.
Spread the plastic filler
During car bumper repair Sydney CBD, wait for the material to harden and move to the front of the fascia. Remove any tape and use 80-grit sandpaper to remove any material that may have squeezed through and sand sports that are above the fascia.