Make It Shine: Bumper repair

[kaval]

This Corolla was hit from behind with a car that had an unpainted ABS bumper. Luckily there was no structural damage to the bumper, but the ABS material had transferred to the paint of the Corolla. Having seen the damage last night, and talking to Picus, we concluded that some sanding would most likely have to be done.

I arrived this evening to tackle the job, prepared to sand if needed. The affected area was washed with CWG and clayed with Riccardo Clay, using ONR as Clay lubricant.

Here are some pictures of what had to be fixed...











Here is what the Riccardo Clay looked like after a couple of passes.



As you can see, it was removing some of the plastic, but the results were not showing much........



I proceeded to start wetsanding with 3M 2000 grit. Because I had used ONR, the water was beading quite a bit, and not staying on the surface. I decided to pull out some Isopropyl alcohol and do a thorough wipedown. Here is where I got surprised...

As I proceeded to wipe off the IPA, my microfiber towel became black, and the affected area started to come clean. Curiosity hit me hard, so I tried the IPA wipedown again, and to my surprise, the surface was slowly coming clean.





Although this took out the majority of the plastic, there was some stubborn spots. I wetsanded them out with 2000 grit, and voila!









To remove the sanding marks, SIP on a 6.5" LC orange pad was used via rotary at 1800rpm, to reveal a fully restored finish. To ensure that the sanding marks were actually removed, I performed 3 IPA wipedowns. Everything was up to standards but I felt that some more gloss could be achieved with another step. I refined the surface with OP on a 6" Sonus white pad at 1600rpm, and sealed with 2 coats of Opti-seal.

Finished product:





I'm very satisfied with how it turned out, and the owner was extremely happy as well. You learn something new everyday I guess!

Thanks for looking!

Kaval

[Holden_C04]

.....

[richy]

I guess that re-enforces the rule of always try the least aggressive approach 1st. Good find.

[crofa]

I have found that using Goof Off takes 99% of paint transfer off the paint. Honestly it’s been 100% for me, but there’s always an exception. I’ve used different dilution levels with this stuff and it works wonders on tree sap, road tar, and pretty much any sticky contaminate you need to get off the paint, tires, rims, glass, and engine compartment.

[mose]

Good job!!! I love when we get surprised like that and something you stumbled upon works out for the best!!

I too use Goof Off on a lot of stuff. I try to us the spray can instead of the squirt can. I make sure and spray the rag instead of the surface. I also ALWAYS make sure I follow up with an IPA wipedown so that there is NO chance of the Goof Off sitting on the paint and eating it's way through!!

[KnuckleBuckett]

Purple Power would also have cut right through it.

[lt1_man]

Great Job, how aggressive is the Riccardo clay bar?

-Brandon

[kaval]

Originally Posted by Holden_C04

.....

Thanks Tyler!

Originally Posted by richy

I guess that re-enforces the rule of always try the least aggressive approach 1st. Good find.

Yes, definitely!

Originally Posted by crofa

I have found that using Goof Off takes 99% of paint transfer off the paint. Honestly it’s been 100% for me, but there’s always an exception. I’ve used different dilution levels with this stuff and it works wonders on tree sap, road tar, and pretty much any sticky contaminate you need to get off the paint, tires, rims, glass, and engine compartment.

Paint transfer wasn't the issue here, as it was the actual plastic from an unpainted ABS bumper that transferred. Goof Off sounds like something I'll have to pick up though! Thanks

Originally Posted by mose

Good job!!! I love when we get surprised like that and something you stumbled upon works out for the best!!

I too use Goof Off on a lot of stuff. I try to us the spray can instead of the squirt can. I make sure and spray the rag instead of the surface. I also ALWAYS make sure I follow up with an IPA wipedown so that there is NO chance of the Goof Off sitting on the paint and eating it's way through!!

Thanks for the comments and the suggestion

Originally Posted by KnuckleBuckett

Purple Power would also have cut right through it.

Purple Power is awesome stuff! I just finished my last little bit a couple of days ago Can't seem to find it here in Canada.

Originally Posted by lt1_man

Great Job, how aggressive is the Riccardo clay bar?

-Brandon

Riccardo can be used on most contaminated cars. Having used Riccardo on both lightly contaminated, and very contaminated surfaces, I'd say that it does not have the strength for very contaminated surfaces, like a rust-spot ridden white car, but it does cut through it eventually. It's hard for me to say as I haven't used a lot of other clay bars.

[EisenHulk]

Very nice work, man.