Bumper scratches can be an eyesore on your car but with the right method and a bit of patience you can fix the problem yourself. Wet sand the parts with 400 grit wet on your rubber sanding block until smooth. Shake the jar of paint for about thirty seconds, then apply multiple coats of paint, about 10-12 inches away. I Sand the surface with 320-Grit and 500 grit sandpaper. INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Wet or Dry Grits For wet or dry sanding. Right down to the bare urethane, but no bumper damage whatsover. 2. Didn't use anything 'special' for plastic, just the 'normal' products. Dont use Aircraft stripper on those Urethane/Plastic parts or you will be in a world of hurt. mix master mark. UPDATE: Wet sanding and buffing resprayed bumper.. Looks much better! Wet sanding means keeping a constant layer of water underneath the sandpaper as you work - a spray bottle is all you need for effective results here. ultra-fine) includes 800- and 1,000-grit paper. Polishing rags (microfiber works best.) metal, has been providing quality power tool accessories. Medium Coarse Sandpaper. Sandpaper is labeled on the back with the grit size. To paint a bumper, start by removing the plastic bumper cover and washing it thoroughly with degreaser and water. If The grit you need depends on what you plan to do, as removing rust requires a different grit than stripping all the paint from the body of your car. After this I skimmed the entire bumper with filler. 9 Remove the dirt. Advertisement Step 3 Wipe down the ABS with a tack cloth. Utility blades. Wait a day and finish the parts off with the 600 grit wet. Supplies needed. Once the paper starts feeling like it is sliding off the plastic easily, move on to 600 grit. 4 Warm the bumper. Start by sanding the black primer using the 500-grit sandpaper. These areas are especially important to make sure the paint doesn't start lifting from these edges. Plastic Bumper Repair: For the original story, go to PopularMechanics.com We've all been there --hastily putting the car in reverse, failing to check the blind spot, and cringing at the crunch of bumper meeting barricade. These coarser grades will still have an effect on the surface of your material, though it will be smoother than that of coarser paper. If there is a P in front of the grit number, for example, P300, then you know it follows the FEPA grading system. Sandpaper grit ranges can be divided into two types: micro and macro grit sandpapers. Medium Grit Sandpaper/Grit Number 120180. I then took 800 grit with water and went over it. First, make sure the bumper is free of any imperfection. Medium coarse sandpaper is graded between P80 and P180 on the grit level and offers a good level of paint removal, which is less likely to destroy the underlying surface. Close. The kit contains pre-measured packets of epoxy resin and hardener, along with 80, 180 and 320-grit sandpaper, spreaders and fiberglass screen mesh. Leave it to cure, then took 120 grit and rubbed it flat. Tip: When fiberglass bumpers crack, they will leave fiberglass hairs visible along the edges of the cracked area. Didn't use anything 'special' for plastic, just the 'normal' products. Automotive touch up paint!!LINK!! That is an excellent grit to paint your base coat and clear coat over, including enamels or anything else that youre doing. If your surface is an intricate design, you are better advised to use medium course grade to protect the carved design beneath the paint. Sandblast everything with 80 grit aluminum oxide. Work in a dry and warm place for better curing of the adhesive. I use 180 to 220 to start, then work up from there typically to 320. Understanding your options will ensure you always know which one to choose for a perfect finish. Step 2: Wipe down the surface with a microfiber cloth to get rid of any particles or debris. Follow these steps to make sure you get the best results. You will ideally start with a coarser abrasive and use progressively finer ones to achieve a smooth result. It may take two or three rounds of pencil marks with the coarsest sandpaper to make the board flat. Wet sanding with this waterproof sandpaper cleans the grit and washes away debris as you work, leaving a smoother finish in less time than dry sanding alone. Archived. AM. Step 3 Wet sanding with 800-2500 grit sandpaper. This 5-pack of Task Signature Heavy Duty Sandpaper has a significantly longer lifetime during rough usage than any competing sandpaper for both hand and machine sanding. This means that 40-grit sandpaper is very rough, but 4000-grit sandpaper is incredibly fine. The most common grits are 60-80 (extremely coarse), 100-150 Sanding helps open the wood grain to absorb stain or paint better. Once your products arrive, its time to get to work. Start with the lowest grade sandpaper first, in this case the P320 grit paper. If youre using medium grits for smooth wood surfaces, remember to use gentle strokes! Step 4 Also used to rough sanding of body filler. $1400. Wipe the area with prep solvent, when dry. 5.0 out of 5 stars 2. Utility blades. Create V-shaped grooves. A filler specifically designed for polyurethane bumpers. Once all the pencil marks disappear on a single pass, it's time to switch to a medium grit sandpaper. If you dont have any sandpaper, you could also use non-gel toothpaste to buff the area. Sanded, reshot the base and clear and finished if off just like metal. Fine Sandpaper/Grit Number 220400. If I did it this way, it would be over $800. 5. ScratchLeveler or 2000 grit sandpaper.!!LINK!! Bill. Start with 40 or 60 coarse-grit sandpaper to rub the cracked area until it smoothes. Wet sanding slowly levels out the surface of the plastic with a bit more force than toothpaste or baking soda, making it ideal for deeper scratches. Spray a heavy wet coat; wait about 20 seconds for the solvents to disolve or emulsify any contaminants, then wipe with a clean paper towel. Fandeli Wet Dry Sandpaper - Waterproof 400,320,220 Grit Sandpaper (25 Sheet Pack) - Professional Sandpaper for Metal, Lacquers, Wood, Glass & Plastic - Sanding Paper for All Types of Surfaces. That said, she got a couple of road booboos some time back on these plastic areas. The dry sanding is suitable for both plastic and metal bumpers but more effective for metals because the other increases the chances of corrosion. Step 1: Lightly rub the scratched area with 3,000 grit sandpaper. If you dont have any sandpaper, you could also use non-gel toothpaste to buff the area. Remove the plastic piece from your car's bumper. Rubbing alcohol, and abrasive cleaner or stripper. EXPERT. The 600 pretty much just takes out the scratches that was left by the 400 grit. Sandpaper grits are categorized by how coarse the abrasive material is. The wifes Subaru has plastic cladding on the lower panels. The best strategy is to begin wet sanding with 220-grit sandpaper and make additional passes with progressively finer paper until you're happy with the appearance. Sanded, reshot the base and clear and finished if off just like metal. If you encounter any bumps, cloudiness, or "cat" scratches, just wait five minutes, sand again until smooth, and try again. Once your products arrive, its time to get to work. Step 4. Repairman sanding plastic car bumper. 6 Wash the bumper. Auto Body and Paint Sandpaper Grit Breakdown. Lets start with the heavy duty grits and what theyre used for. 32 and 40 grit sandpaper can be used for sanding and grinding paint down to metal. It will allow you to cut out old body filler or shape new filler if you have some extremely high areas in your bodywork. High-quality black bumper polish. Mikerocosms said: . Features : Package include: 36 pieces high grit sandpaper assortment in grit 3000, 5000, 7000 and 10000, 9 pieces for each grit. 3 Remove the bumper if you want to. Some people even paint over 280 grit-sanded surfaces. The dry sanding is suitable for both plastic and metal bumpers but more effective for metals because the other increases the chances of corrosion. Black Body filler (for deep scratches.) Then use a "self etching" primer to prime over it. After the holes had been repaired I sanded the dings and gouges (and the parts I had just welded with plastic) down to a flush finish with 80 grit sandpaper and a sanding block. If there are still a few little imperfections, dry the parts off well and lay another coat of the Hydroflex onto the parts. Fine grit, wet, and that will get into the crevices and holes better than sandpaper will. You really want to get scratches into the chrome. Sand the surface with 320-Grit and 500 grit sandpaper. The grit of sandpapers is a rating of the size of abrasive materials on the sandpaper. In the video above I show you the most common automotive sandpaper grits that are used for body and paint. These sandpapers are used for the main body work process when cutting body filler (Bondo) shaping, feathering and final sanding when prepping for paint. High-quality black bumper polish. If your plastic bumper has scuffs and scratch damage, the repair can be carried out just on the front side of the bumper. Posted by 5 years ago. 4. For example, you could use 20 to 50 grit sandpaper for the first pass and finish with 60 to 80 grit sandpaper for the final pass on an orbital or belt sander. Also, when do I use body filler? Then, wet sand any rough spots with 600 grit sandpaper. 500-grit sandpaper; Abrasive pad (Scotch-Brite) Surface cleaner; Clean cloth. Get it as soon as Tue, Jul 26. The best way to paint over chrome is sand it with about 120 grit sandpaper. A - complete bumper repaint, B - refinishing bumper and complete bumper (this is for dents in bumpers, plastic cracks or holes) C - spot paint repair (this is for minor scratches in corner, bottom lip or side of a bumper, near an edge of a panel or below a body line). answer. 80 grit Used to strip paint from metal. 80 and 40-grit sandpaper for stripping. Lauren - A new bumper would be $550, I would have to pay a shop to have it fit and prep for the Saleen pieces are horrible fitment right out of the factory. If all of the defects are completely gone, switch to 600 grit, and sand it again. When youre done, use the abrasive pad and sand the bumper once again. Emery. This should give you a nice smooth matte black finish on the exposed plastic bumper. Follow these methods to sand plastic the right way and avoid scratching it as you do it: Utilizing a detergent solution, thoroughly clean the plastic.If the plastic is very grimy, try cleaning it using a solution consisting of equal parts water and vinegar with a soft cloth.Start the wet sanding process with sandpaper that has a moderately coarse grain and a grit that ranges Use a Scotchbrite pad. Sandpaper Grit Ranges . This will remove any roughness from the surface of the cabinets without taking off too much material. Medium-grit sandpaper (around 60-80) will suffice for most projects. Plastic Welder, INSOUR Plastic Welding Machine Car Bumper Repair Kit, Hot Stapler with Pliers, Flat/Outside Corner/Inside Corner/Wave Staples, Carry Case, Sandpaper. That said, she got a couple of road booboos some time back on these plastic areas. Clean the plastic with a Polyvance plastic cleaner. Flint. 3. 5 Sand the surface if needed. Because plastic scratches easily, coarse sandpaper grits aren't recommended. Price: $4.95. Step 1: Lightly rub the scratched area with 3,000 grit sandpaper. INSTRUCTIONS: First, make sure the bumper is free of any imperfection. The natural grain of this sandpaper will leave your metal shiny and smooth. A filler product!!LINK!! If you stop there, however, you'd have visible sanding marks. If the lens is not scratched but only cloudy, start with 180 grit sandpaper. I've seen people use 80 grit - 200 grit sandpaper to remove the paint, what grit is right to use? 2. These sandpapers are used for the main body work process when cutting body filler (Bondo) shaping, feathering and final sanding when prepping for paint. 500 and 600-grit sandpaper for finishing. Get everything corrected then re-prime with epoxy after applying adhesion promoter again over any bare plastic areas exposed during the sanding process. You can use 400 if you wet-sand carefully. 500 and 600-grit sandpaper for finishing. Thats where the 3M Bondo Bumper Repair Kit comes in. If it STEP 4: Wet sand for deeper scratches. HMAC300. It is coarse and will be able to cut through the thickest layers of clear coat. Do not touch the surface directly with bare fingers because the skin becomes soft during the washing procedure. Medium: 80-Grit. Wipe the bumper clean and dry it with a soft cloth, then spray on a base coat layer. For auto repair and other metals, start with 60-grit paper if you need to sand down below the rust to repair deep scars. Clean the plastic with a detergent solution. Go over the surface again with 80 grit sandpaper to bring the rest of the surface down to the low spot. Be sure to use the wet sanding technique for best results. 1500 to 2000 Grit When you need to smooth out surface imperfections and scratches before and after applying the clear coat, this is the grit range to use. This will also require the wet sanding technique to prevent clogging the sandpaper. 1000 to 1200 Grit When you need to remove base coat imperfections, this grit range will do the job. After sanding, the prior paint to dull and isopropyl alcohol to clean the bumper, use a tack cloth to pick up any small residue. Finer grits like 1200, 1500, 2000, and 3000 is used for finishing. In contrast to sandpapers in the 32- to 40-grit range, 80-grit sandpaper is gentler on the surface of vehicle panels. It will probably take two coats to restore contour properly. Also a good wipe down with alcohol or acetone to clean before paint goes a long way towards a cleaner painjob. Posts: 67 Joined: Thu Sep 17, 2015 6:20 pm Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Country: Canada Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2015 3:30 pm CAMI is used mainly in North America and FEPA in Europe. However, light streaking will still be present if you apply heavy force. To sand them smooth your better off starting with a higher grit sandpaper. So after the initial P180/P240 sand, I'd do another pass with P320 grit, and then another pass with P400 grit, and then another pass with an even higher grit, say P600 or P800. Sand with the help of 80 grit paper around the damaged area. Cleaned the area, applied plastic filler slightly proud of the bumper. Never go coarser than that for scuffing to paint. When choosing sandpaper, its important to select the right grade for the job. I've searched and read most of the plastic bumper prep threads, but I have an odd twist: 600 grit wet sandpaper instead? If your bumper is the type that powders when sanded, cut the grooves using a 24-grit disc attachment on a sander. Remove bumper paint first. In the video above I show you the most common automotive sandpaper grits that are used for body and paint. This type is ideal for polishing surfaces and applying coats 7 Dry the bumper. Flint is a natural, heat-resistant rock thats perfect for removing old varnish or paint. Sandpaper is great at scratching the clear coat off your car bumper. Its perfect for removing corrosion, polishing steel, or other metals but not so great on wood because of the sharp edges! Sanding it down and having it painted is only $200. Take your water bottle (a bucket of soap and water works great too) and rinse off the initial white powder. Black Body filler (for deep scratches.) 2 Steps to paint plastic bumper. We Come To You Remove the plastic trim completely or tape off the sections of restoration How To Paint Plastic Car Parts (using aerosol bumper paint) Learnautobodyandpaint I used an Armour All product that worked nicely on the all areas but soon wore off after several hard rains and about 2 months Whether its your iPod, mobile phone or computer, scratches on UPDATE: Wet sanding and buffing resprayed bumper.. Looks much better! Top. Was this. (To continue) -> Clean after moving up to different grit sandpaper. Begin wet sanding with sandpaper of moderate coarseness, with a grit between 180-600. The higher grit number is equivalent to a finer abrasive, which creates smoother surface finishes. You can actually go even more coarser if youre doing a single stage enamel. Sand the entire lens with 80 grit sandpaper using a dual action sander. It can be used for pre-primer sanding, rough primer sanding, fine sanding spot putty, and final body filler sanding. It is recommended to use a sanding block too. 600 to 800 Grit This sandpaper grit range is perfect for sanding surface imperfections in the primer, prior to paint application. Take your 80-grit sandpaper and vigorously sand the surface. After epoxy has set up for the required time 24 hours (min) -48 hours (better) then apply your choice of either conventional glaze or a bumper specific product like UPOL Stronghold. Sand the plastic until it feels slightly rough to your fingertips. When the cars bumper gets scratched or cracked, you either need to repair the bumper or replace it. Sand the primer with 300 grit sand paper. It is recommended to start at the low grit end and work your way up to 800 grit. Follow these steps to make sure you get the best results. If you desire to get a rougher surface as an end result you may be using near to 30 grits. The wifes Subaru has plastic cladding on the lower panels. Rubbing alcohol, and abrasive cleaner or stripper. Do not touch the surface directly with bare fingers because the skin becomes soft during the washing procedure. Step 6. Scuff with either 320 or 400 grit prior to primer then rescuff with 400 after primer. Sandpaper sheets in medium 80 grit, Task Tools SH17080 80 Grit Signature Heavy Duty Sandpaper. This stuff does the work for you. Using the fine-grit sandpaper, sand the primer with light pressure until it feels smooth. This is where it gets fun. As such, 80-grit can be applied to the hood, roof or door panels of a car or van without leaving rough streaks. It is recommended to use a sanding block too.600 to 800 Grit This sandpaper grit range is perfect for sanding surface imperfections in the primer, prior to paint application. To correct minor surface choppiness and create a uniformly smooth surface for painting, wet sand the whole bumper using 600-grit sandpaper. 7. If the plastic is especially dirty, use a solution of water and vinegar (1:1) with a gentle cloth. Or, use a cordless drill and a rotary file if your plastic bumper is the type that smears. 4. turns rust into some other inert substance. In rare cases, you may also need to use extra coarse sandpaper (16 to 24 grit) where you may want to quicken the task. While cars equipped with plastic bumpers are liable and tend to get cracks even in small accidents. Wipe with damp cloth (water), wipe dry, paint with bed liner or whatever .If you ever build anything out of bare metal, welded or not you just cannot get every place sanded, and sand blasting is too much $$$ and time. Abrade the ABS to promote adhesion by lightly sanding it.