Refinishing Bumpers
 

Just got front and rear bumpers from the salvage yard. They are in pretty good shape, but could use a touch up here and there where the plastic is scuffed.

Is there a special flexible body repair material (besides regular bodywork fiberglass) that I should use to touch up the bad spots on the plastic bumper surrounds?

Is there a special bluish gray spray paint at "common" auto parts stores to match the plastic parts on the bumper? Mainly I'm wondering if a special paint is needed that will flex with the plastic and not crack too fast.

Thank you in advance.
D.

A flex agent is added to the paint when it's used on the bumpers.

Any suggestions for fixing torn plastic bumper shells? I've heard of "plastic welding" but the tear is only two or three inches and on the bottom side of the bumper cover, so I was hoping that there would be some adhesive that would hold the two edges together.

Plastic welding is the way to go on split bumper cover. Weld it from the inside (remove bumper), use 3m/duramix flex bumper repair filler for smoothing the outside or for gouges. I use the cheapo welder from Harbor Freight...$15.00 iirc. It does the job fine.

I ran over a branch at night last month and dragged it home about two blocks. Drove on the curb and loosened it up by backing off. Pulled it back out the front and I split the cover beneath the removable "towing access panel" (:confused::o)and at the same time ripped the access panel away from the cover. One of the square clip fastening holes is now missing (a piece of the cover backing chipped off there). I have the snap on panel. It has a couple of cracks and a chip in one corner. Could be repaired I think. The split in the cover beneath that isn't too bad and is repairable No big gaps that can't be filled and repainted..

I wonder if there is a way to remount the removeable section for it to be able to once again be removed in case a tow cable has to be used? Any thoughts?


My car: 1988 300 CE