I want to repaint the front bumper

[gordyec]

Good day to all. I am starting off doing the paint detailing on my Fiesta 2007 WQ. There are a few scratches and gouges in the bumper. Can someone advise me of how I can safely remove the original paint back to bare plastic so I don't damage it? Heaps of videos on UTube but all seem to deal with a bare plastic bumper with prep and paint. Not there yet.

[Nu66et]

Why do you want to take it back to bare plastic?

[gordyec]

I think the previous owner (I have only had it 6 mths) must have had a quick spray job going by the condition of paint and clear on the car (and missed pieces). By going back to bare plastic, I hope to remove all the scratches and fill the gouges. The car was a first for my wife before she received her new one and now I have decided to have the Fiesta as a project for something to do in my old age. I have removed the upper and lower grill and cleaned them up and will be repainting them in the next week or so. Sorry for being long winded in the explanation.

[happy1]

Someone may have used acrylic paint instead of 2-pack system. Is the paint flaking off?

I use an electric sander with 180 grit If I want to remove paint cracks on a bumper. (dry).
If you go through to the plastic you will need to use plastic adhesive chemical on those spots. You will need a 2-pack primer/filler.

You can also use more course sandpaper such as 80 on the sander if you are removing scratches and need to go a little deeper in certain areas. I would then use a 180 to make it smother before applying the primer.

You can use 2-pack filler / putty to fill the scratches if they are deep. The sanding machine will sand away excess filler / putty.

When the primer has dried you need to wet sand with 400 grit and ideally 600 towards the end, before applying color base and clear.

[gordyec]

Thankyou Happy1. I think I will leave the bumper on and follow your preparation instructions. I am in my late 60s and this is my first attempt at car detailing to this degree. I just want it to look nice before I give it to a young girl who can't afford a car.

[gordyec]

Hi Guys and thanks again for the interest. I spent today getting the fog lights mounts out and have successfully primed the grill pieces. I sanded the bumper before deciding to take it off to give better access and just finished sanding with 180 (dry). Took out the scratches and revealed a couple of small (minute) pieces of filler which I will go over as they are low. All in all successful with tomorrow moving to the next grit on the bumper.

[gordyec]

Good day all. Well the Fiesta detail is making some progress. I completed the bumper respray and have just finished polishing it. Didn't come out too bad and have refitted the grills and fog light panels after painting them in high gloss black. Amazing how many clips and screws are missing and or broken. Have to get some epoxy before refitting the lower bumper attachment as the bumper receiver is broken. Bought a cleaner and I am going to have a go at steam cleaning the seats.