what should i use to smooth by bumper?

[DIMITRIS CORSA B]

i decided to smooth my bumper! not the plate gap though just the deep line from end to end! whats the best thing to use? bumper filler? is that ok?

[sassnowwolf]

Filler and Fiberglass can crack due to weather or heavy bumps in the road. The best thing to do is to plastic weld the gap. If you don't know how to do this an amateur way of doing it is getting a strip of plastic and using a soldering iron to melt the strip in the gap of the bumper. This provides a strong durable surface and won't crack. Then sand down the excess plastic and apply a thin layer of filler to remove any imperfections.

[DIMITRIS CORSA B]

what kind of plastic strip should i use and where can i find it?

[sassnowwolf]

You may be able to find it in local hardware stores, here's an example, 7 quid: http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalo ... ps-sellers.

When people smooth the recess plates for the number plate from their bumpers, some cut out actual recess and flip it around, then plastic weld that into the gap. For the swage line i'd be more inclined to use a plastic rod though.

[DIMITRIS CORSA B]

also ebay is full of these! should i sand the bumper to take off all the colour and primer before doing the welding job?

[sassnowwolf]

You could leave it on however once smoothed you'd have a smooth bumper and swage line and a textured top section which IMO would look silly. So yes i'd sand the textured strip to a smooth-ish finish (not fully smooth as your going to need to sand again after plastic welding) then prime and paint!

Personally if you don't have your own soldering iron, check this out, seems pretty cheap and for 28 quid you can't go wrong, especially considering how much it would cost at a body shop. Jay.

[DIMITRIS CORSA B]

did you forget to post a link?

[DIMITRIS CORSA B]

i have a heat gun but i can't find the accessories for plastic welding!

[sassnowwolf]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plastic-weldi ... 3cbb8df3ac