Help on filling holes in rubber bumper!

[dlw]

I need to fill the two 1/4" holes smack in the center of my son's '93 Predule front bumper. The bumper is rubber and I don''t know for sure what to use that will be flexible and workable enough to sand. Any ideas?

[Shiny Lil Detlr]

hmm...... what are the chances there is a bondo with flex agents in it? I've seen several people use just regular bondo on fiberglass with no problems, but I would think maybe if you mounted some mesh or something behind the holes and filled them with body filler it may do the trick.

The only other solutions I can think of is I have some tub and tile caulk/spackle which claims to have flex agents and is paintable. I doubt however that this applies to automotive paints, nor could withstand the extreme temperatures that an auto environment would inflict.

but its a thought? hope this helps some!

[germancarnut]

Several auto body supply companies make products especially for this application. The one I'm most familiar with and have used is made by Duramix, which is a division of 3M. It comes in two tubes that fit into a special "caulking gun" that forces material out of both tubes simultaneously and through a special nozzle that mixes the materials as they are applied. If you search online for "Duramix", you'll come up with all the info you need, or any professional body shop supplies outlet should be able to help you with this product or a comparable one - they really work great!! The only caveat is that you do need the special applicator gun, and as I recall, they cost around $50 or so.

[Hartman]

Are you sure it's rubber? I can't imagine a bumper being made of rubber. Are you sure it isn't ABS plastic or a similar material?

[Old Rattle Flat]

A local body shop fixed a hole in the bumper of my wife's minivan using something called Norton's Speed Grip Structural Adhesive. The Part number was 636425-04615, and the cleaner was 636425-04615. I took note of the information because they were able to fix or patch the bumper almost instanteously and repaint it, and get it back to me in one day. I don't actually have any real knowledge but this is the website Norton Speed Grip Structural Adhesive.
Good luck - hope this helps.

[Guess My Name]

Try rubber.....get a plug cutter and cut out some pieces a bit larger od and abit shorter depoth......then insert in hole.....

Should hide it for a good while....

[dlw]

Just a follow-up. My son-in-law works for a Honda dealer and managed to borrow their Duramix gun and a dual tube of the filler. The gun requires a new nozzle each time you use it because the stuff sets up in just over a minute. Good news is that nozzles are about a buck a piece at the autobody supply store. Other good news is that while fiddling around, I was able to squeeze enough of the two materials out of the tubes by hand, mix them and get the holes filled with no problem, so it is very possible to use Duramix (for the two 1/4" holes I had to fill) without the $50 gun. Pretty neat stuff, available in different flavors for different types of bumper plastic. Car is now all black and cleared, waiting for wet sanding to begin. Whoops, the hood is still waiting to be painted, as I have filled the window washer nozzle holes and am fabricating an "under the cowl" system for the squirters. We're havin' fun now!