Respray plastic bumper

[drewster71]

Afternoon all and Happy Australia day... OI OI OI

Can anyone give any help in respraying the plastic bumpers on my 83 gtv , they were resprayed when the car was prior to me purchasing and has started to flake in parts, i realize they may again down the road but want to respray them for looks of course, even if it means doing every couple years,

Thankyou in advance for all advice

Drewster,

P>S also seeking interior door arm rests for both sides cheers ..

[AR116]

Generally when you respray plastic parts such as windscreen gutters, mirrors etc...you need to spray a plastic primer on it once you have rubbed it down. After this you can apply paint.

However, for a bumper bar like that for your gtv you may need to remove all the old paint first, fill any chips or holes using body or fine filler (depending on the size), spray hi-fill (if your spraying 2pak) then finally put paint on it. This is generally what you do. If you want more advice ask a panel beater/spray painter or even an automotive paint shop.

[Al Campbell]

Drewster,

I'm also interested in this as my rear bumper has been resprayed at some point and the Yellow paint (somebody made an Ignis replica?) is starting to show through.

Has anybody any experince with using particular products?

I have heard that brake fluid is a good stripper: Brush it on, leave it over night, clean it off with a scourer & detergent. Do it again as often as necessary. Although I would think it would be a pig to clean it off before respraying.

AL.

[Storm_X]

yes plastic primer is needed. also i heard there is a special aditive you add to the pait to make it flex a little for plastic.

dnt use paint striper as some plastics melt.

[pep105]

Yep theres an additive called plastpak to give the paint more flexible or elastic properties similar to the plastic. Without it the paint will eventually flake or crack. It's mixed in with the top coat, ratio (paint to plastpak) is usually specified.

Another one Ive tried is a premixed pressure pack (with the additive), specifically for plastic bumpers, the colour was VN Commodore Grey (at least a VN is good for something) cant remember the brand but the colour and matt finish was a good match for late model GTV plastics, as it produced an original look. Used it to respray the front spoiler and the result was pretty good as a quick fix.   

[Al Campbell]

Good info, thanks guys.

... But I think "VN grey" would be a match to present day faded plastic but something like a matt black would look more original.

Or... a nice set of body colour Zender spoiler/bumpers.

I found VN ownership makes you appreciate how well made & reliable ALFAs are.

Have I hijacked Drewsters thread? Apologies.

AL

[drewster71]

LMAO I THINK YOU DID

Nar all good thanks folks

some good recommendations there, and will definatly being looking into that mix for flex and to give longer and better look

Thank you everyone  great help as always

D

[pep105]

Hey al_cam

Your right about the VN  obviously your talking from experience !

I reckon matt black might be a little harsh as the bumper inserts were black but the bumpers/front spoiler/side skirts were grey, but its one of those things no one knows the colour code for these plastics or do they ?