Did a little bumper repair in my new shop.

tuscarora dave

tuscarora dave

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Hi all, Been pretty busy so haven't had much time for posting lately. I detailed this redfire metallic Pontiac Grand Am SE a few weeks ago for the office manager at the Bus and Van Sales company that I rent my shop from. Here's a picture of her leaving with her freshly polished car after the detail.

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Take notice to the rock chips in the front bumper on the driver's side, too bad because the rest of the car turned out really nice, in fact she was ecstatic when she saw my finished work. Well...fast forward a week or so and she comes in to work very upset that a trash can (plastic with wheels) blew right out in front of her car as she was traveling at full speed on the interstate highway. She was very upset about it so I told her that it's just a bumper and that she could send it out to a body shop or I could do the work right there in my shop for about the same price. Here's the damage that the trash can did.

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After a lot of sanding, feather edging, priming, sanding, priming, sanding etc.

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Figured while I was at it, it would be a good time to take care of all of those unsightly rock chips on the other side too. Again...after a bunch of sanding, priming, sanding, spot putty, sanding, priming, sanding, priming, sanding etc.

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A few cans of PPG paint code matched automotive paint, a few cans of UV protective clear coat (the high dollar stuff) and a bit of experience and skill in painting things...

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Not too bad for a detailer right?...

Thanks for looking, TD
 
Thanks..Yep, they mix up the rattle cans right there if you bring the paint code.
 
Awesome, how many total hours spent?
 
I would say real good! I would be scared to do anything even close to that. Props to you my friend!
 
feds27 said:
Impressive. The prep is the hardest part, right?
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Well, I'd say the prep is the most tedious part. Using lots of Prep-Sol and using it the right way is also something that is often over looked. You can't possibly work too clean when doing this stuff. Really though, all parts of a job like this requires patience, experience and proper technique to pull off correctly. All of which I picked up working in a body shop when I was in my twenties. Thanks
Rsurfer said:
Awesome, how many total hours spent?
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Thanks, I think about 8 hours start to finish actual working time. It tied up my shop for 2 1/2 days though.
rider9195 said:
I would say real good! I would be scared to do anything even close to that. Props to you my friend!
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Thanks, it was actually pretty fun to do and the reaction from the owner was priceless.
 
If you notice there's one fog light missing, it's in a clamp with some impact resistant super glue bonding/curing and will be reinstalled in a few days.
 
Hey I have the same car and same problems what did u do take all paint off and respray it with a can or gun
 
Holy smokes Dave!!

That's a whole lot more then impressive, it came out absolutely gorgeous!! WOW.... :dblthumb2:

I like the way you stripped and sanded everything down and brought it up from the primer cast....Man that's IMPRESSIVE!! :props:
 
I agree with Bobby. Impressive is a drastic understatement. Being able to do body work as a detailer is a great skill to have. While doing a client's vehicle. If body repairs are needed, it could possibly turn into a quite lucrative upsell.
 
Yeah I would go out on a limb and say that is better than new! I would be very happy to have been the owner of that car after you got to it!
 
I am willing to bet that this repair is of higher quality than being done in a body shop. I doubt they would spend this much prep time yielding this fantastic finished product.

Truly an awesome job!!
 
Wow Dave that looks better than new!!!

I wish you were closer. The front and rear of my 79 Z28 could use the same treatment!
 
Looks great Dave!

Question: Did you use adhesion promoter between the plastic and primer? I hear you need to or the paint will fall off. Maybe not needed if you still have some paint on the bumper though?
 
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