Cure for faded bumpers...

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 6:53 am

If any of you have the poverty models without painted bumpers then I have found a good way of returning them to nearly new appearance....

Pinch some from a car with painted bumpers!!!

If that's illegal or you just don't fancy it then try this, BUT.... get a grownup helper because it's hot hot hot

Wash and dry bumper (important to dry thoroughly). Using a gas torch (the type used for soldering) on a medium-ish flame, just pass it over the bumper surface a bit quicker than you would if spray painting and only about 3 - 4 inches from the surface. It only takes 5 - 10 mins to do the whole bumper and it'll look almost new. It needs doing every 6 - 12 months but it's quick, cheap and effective. N.B. If the bumper isn't dry, the water can boil off and leave marks in the surface.

It may not suit you purists out there, but my BX is a little rough and ready and it does make a big difference. Hoping the above is useful...

sleepy0905 · Post by **sleepy0905** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:06 am

did this on my red TGD with a hot air paint stripper gun worked a treat they looked like new.

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 10:59 am

did this on my red TGD

mmm maybe this will apply only to the proud owners of the superior red bx...yes mine is red

another one to add to the numbers....are we - the reds - winning boys??

sleepy0905 · Post by **sleepy0905** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:06 pm

Unfortunately I dont have my red one anymore my new one is Memphis blue.

Cornishbx16v · Post by **Cornishbx16v** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:10 pm

this trick has been around the trade for years!!! especially helpful on vaux astra bumpers as for a while they came in masses of grey plastic that fades to white!! pass the heat gun over and bingo back to grey!
its all about the heat pulling the pigment to the surface!!

sleepy0905 · Post by **sleepy0905** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:13 pm

Thats right infact i seem to remember it was you who gave me the tip a while ago

(CZ)enda · Post by **(CZ)enda** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 1:34 pm

Did you try the trick on the plastic windows on the C pillar as well? Can it be used to make a matte window

clear/shiny?
The window was made matte by the factory, it is not weathered.
The reason for the manufacturer switching from clear to matte windows is... unclear to me

Also, using different patterns under the plastic window is... just silly, but it does not bother me that much - I can always say that it depended on whether it was Jean or Jacques on the shift that assembled them and on the amount of rouge he had the night before - as I met a person owning a BX from new that had different patterns under left and right C window

.

Kitch · Post by **Kitch** » Sat Oct 07, 2006 2:56 pm

I use gearbox oil....stuff stays on for ages

BX Bandit · Post by **BX Bandit** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 8:46 am

granny...eggs...sucking....sorry chaps, and I thought I had managed to contribute something +ve to the forum (for a change)

Ian_Fearn · Post by **Ian_Fearn** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 9:06 am

Hey, dont put yourself down.... i'd never heard of this trick!

Post by **docchevron** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 12:00 pm

I'd never heard of it either mate, I've never gone long enough between having some pleb destroy my bumpers to worry about faded paint. The bumpers live in the paint shop! I only put them on when I drive the car!!!!

At least you contributed quality info, I just take the pi$$, but then I dont know nothing!!

Cheers
Chris G

Brian · Post by **Brian** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 12:40 pm

I think this info came to light when they started to use the new two pack paint that required to be cured in a low temp oven..

When paint repairs were carried out, all the tired bumpers and faded plastic trim came outlooking as new !!!

Was a Bonus...

sleepy0905 · Post by **sleepy0905** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 3:32 pm

BXBandit please dont feel like you were trying to make granny suck eggs this sort of info is usefull ok a few of us knew it already but there will be quite a few who didnt.

Barnsley BXer · Post by **Barnsley BXer** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 7:30 pm

Mer bumper gel is superb,but it takes 2 or 3 goes for it to look good

Cornishbx16v · Post by **Cornishbx16v** » Sun Oct 08, 2006 10:12 pm

dont take it to heart matey! its not possible to know ever users occupations!! i have often posted htings that have been doen time over! never hurts to refresh memories though!