My rear bumper cover has 4-5" tear in it, and I was thinking about doing a ghetto repair on it just to make it look a little better. I figured I could get some epoxy meant for plastics (or maybe jb weld), and use a bunch of it to repair the tear, and maybe use some masking tape in the front to hold the two ends together while it sets, then sanding the front and maybe a crude touch up paint job. I was also thinking i could fill in the back with some filler to provide a bit more strength to the bond...or maybe just epoxy in a piece of sheet metal.

What do you guys think of this idea? Obviously I know jack shit about body work, but I figured I'd play around with before going the replacement route. Its not like I can screw it up any worst than it already is, and this attempt would cost very little anyway. Any other steps to a making a repair like this I should consider? Any tips? I've seen some tips by searching through google, but was wondering what ya'll thought. Anyone ever used a plastic welder to make repairs like this?

If I wanted to replace it I saw that certifit has my bumper cover for ~$100...how much would it cost to have it painted to match? I'm assuming at least $300 there, but I have no idea.

5/30/2008 11:34:06 AM

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=bumper+repair

go for it google king

5/30/2008 11:39:32 AM

i used some awesome plastic epoxy to fix a plastic kart body when i used to race. we got it from one of my dad's friends who runs a body shop and he said it's what they use for repairs like yours. worked great. try to talk to someone in the body repair business and they might can tell you exactly what it is.

5/30/2008 11:41:14 AM

^^ah ha, now how did i know you would be the first to post. thats hilarious. i love it when people are that predictable.

you must have missed the part about:

Quote :

"I've seen some tips by searching through google, but was wondering what ya'll thought."

the difference is i actually did check before posting

5/30/2008 11:41:34 AM

i was thinking duramix (before i looked at the google search)

duramix isnt cheap. but it works wonders.


what ive done, grap some scrap plastic somewhere and kind of melt it (soldering gun works well) over the bumper area. pretty much plastic welding. master m0kanic style

if you can take a pic of what you're working with, that'd be better.

5/30/2008 11:42:57 AM

Quote :

"if you can take a pic of what you're working with, that'd be better."

k i'll get a picture posted hopefully tomorrow

i guess i'll go to an advance/autozone and see what kind of adhesives they carry. maybe they have that duramix stuff...

5/30/2008 11:43:45 AM

Quote :

"the difference is i actually did check before posting, unlike you "

obviously you didnt find exactly what you needed or you wouldnt have posted this thread, just felt the need to post a useless link

5/30/2008 11:46:03 AM

not sure if they'll have duramix..

lots online parts stores have it. its like $30 for a "bottle" then another $60-70 for the applicator gun.

5/30/2008 11:49:17 AM

wow, thats no joke. might still be worth it though

5/30/2008 11:58:45 AM

yeah, 'snot cheap. but damn does it do a good job.

5/30/2008 12:00:22 PM

Evercoat actually makes a repair kit specifically for plastic bumper covers. Check out their website.

Any Carquest can get it for you; some around here even stock it.

5/30/2008 12:01:11 PM

^IT'S A MIRACLE, THE MAN POSTS!!! you BETTER get with the program for tonight.

5/30/2008 12:07:04 PM

get down on it............get down on it

[Edited on May 30, 2008 at 12:07 PM. Reason : i think matt will be out there tonight too]

5/30/2008 12:07:34 PM

I just fixed some cracked fairings on my bike with ABS cement.


http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Plastics_repair_with_ABS_cement

5/30/2008 12:25:27 PM

^^^,^^

I think we're going to be gearing up for our moving session tomorrow. I think we're planning on fairly early in the am.

The whole thing ain't going to be any picnic, and we both gotta get prepared (mentally and physically).

5/30/2008 1:36:53 PM

ok so i have repaired the tear...i used some epoxy called "plastic weld" they sell at the auto parts places for $5. i slathered it on, joined the two pieces, and used masking tape to hold until it set which worked well. then i epoxied in a hard piece of plastic on the back (a body filler spreader). I *think* it should hold well since I used two things of epoxy total. I was thinking about spreading on the back of the bumper either a) some of the jb weld type stuff or b) some fiberglass resin just to make sure...but haven't decided yet.

the real thing i need now is paint. These are the steps I'm thinking of

1) Sand the area to paint (tips?)
2) Apply primer
3) Apply paint
4) Apply clear coat? Needed on a bumper?

I already have some touch up paint from Nissan, but I don't think it'll be enough. So I've been looking at some paint at expresspaint.com and I can get a 11oz aerosol can for $25 + shipping, or a 1/2 pint for $50 or a pint for $80. If I get the non-aerosol paint I know I'll have to use a compressor and sprayer. I already have a 1 gallon compressor, is that enough to do a small amount of painting? The sprayer is like $20 or less from harbor freight right? Should I just get the aerosol can or will that do a crappy job for some reason? Do I need clear coat?

Thanks for any info people

6/1/2008 7:55:45 PM

you might have to bondo it.

but yeah, after bondo, sand it down. primer, paint, clear.

you may need multiple coats

6/1/2008 8:08:51 PM

give it a little wet sand before you apply primer. Just enough to get it silky smooth, nothing major.

Shoot some clear coat on, give that a wet sand as well, or get a good rubbing compound.

Should come out looking pretty decent.

6/1/2008 8:24:26 PM

before you start. add up all the finances. it would have probably been cheaper to get another OEM replacement bumper and painted

6/1/2008 9:08:29 PM

Quote :

"I already have a 1 gallon compressor, is that enough to do a small amount of painting? The sprayer is like $20 or less from harbor freight right?"

bwahahahahahahahaa

hahahaha
ha

wow, thats a good one

6/1/2008 10:15:09 PM

so i guess thats a no on both counts huh?

the sprayers DO look cheap tho
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Category.taf?CategoryID=324

6/1/2008 11:04:29 PM

i think after looking over this i'm going to go with the aerosol

http://www.expresspaint.com/howtoapply/

6/2/2008 12:43:16 AM