Re: Car paint

Due to a minor scuff I need to touch-up the bumper of my Honda Civic

> (2002). The area involved is less that a 5p coin. Today I saw some 3
> part kits in Halfords (but my colour was out of stock). I have a
> nagging memory that plastic bumpers need a special preparation. Can
> someone enlighten me please as I don't want to buy stuff that then > won't be suitable.
> Incidentally I was quoted £88 by body shop that claims to specialise
> in minor chip repairs.
>
> The car is silver and the exposed black bumper material is standing
> out like a sore thumb and I am hoping to p/x or sell the car soon. >> >>
>> --
>> John

Could you glue on some fake "reversing sensors" and hide the damage?

LOL, considering that most scuffed and damaged bumpers I see are on or near the corner, also not a lot of help if it's a front bumper!...

Plastic does need a special etch primer..if using most paints.

If you have a GOOD model shop near you get some PRYMOL..its a solvent and a something that evaporates faster than you can say 'Blair is a liar' and leaves a matt surface that paint keys to well.

Ive looked in Halfords for similar, but all they seem to have is degreasing, not etching stuff.

The reason that you have been quoted 80 quid, is that the only pro approach is to remove he bumper (or at least mask it off entirely) sand and smooth the scuff, and respray the lot, probably with a primer/base coat, color coat and clear lacquer, after doing the etch thing on the bare patch. .

Well OK - "parking sensor" then.

You'll not get an entire bumper resprayed in metallic for 80 quid. More like 300.

...and how many "Parking sensors" do you see on the sides or on front bumpers - unless the car is owned by Stevie Wonder of course?!...

Stop digging, in any case ANY trader and most car buyers will see straight through such an obvious bodge.

Front parking sensors are fairly common these days. And the bit most likely to be scruffed - the corner - does often have sensors.

My quote was just to spray the corner area of the bumper.

To me that would be a fair price for an genuinely invisible repair. It's most unlikely you'll be able to do this yourself using aerosols, etc.

Quite frequently these days...

Darren