Smoothing Mk3 Bumpers

[antera309 3]

I noticed that a couple of people on people here have smoothed their bumpers. I love that look and want to do it to my cab.

Ideally, I'd like to do the work myself, leaving just the final finishing and respray down to the bodyshop.

Does anyone know what fillers have to be used, and what tools & sandpaper grades are needed?

Do you have to start with a set of full body-colour bumpers, or can the 1/2 body colour ones (with the textured top strip) be used?

[VRVIRGIN 0]

If it's any help Nick, my textured top bumpers are getting sanded down to a smooth surface before painting. So yaeh, it can be done. Wanted the smooth look too, but was put off by the fact the bodyshop was talking about fibreglass and stuff, so didn't go for it in the end.

[bigvw 0]

Hi Nick, my bumpers were all filled and smoothed over. Not sure what they used but I'll phone them and ask them tomorrow. I know it wasn't fibreglass.

cheers

[binliner 0]

starting with colour coded bumpers will be less work... although if you have textured ones filler primer is easier than sanding them )

I've heard of people DIYing it using that cavity filler stuff

[VRmonster 1]

yeah, a bit of newspaper, expanding foam, sticky tape and a few egg cartons is always a good list to start with.

[danb 0]

fibreglass paste is the stuff to use to fill the recess in the bumpers followed by a skim of filler that will smooth it all and you want to end up rubbing all the bumper down with 600 grit paper and then giving it a good couple of coats of etch primer as this is quite a thick primer which will fill any inperfections followed by a quick dust coat of say black spray paint so when you sand the primer down you can see if it needs stopper/filler anywere then finally a good couple of coats of paint ! by the way im in the process of doing mine !