My rear bumper is not looking as good as the front. There's a few scratches, probably from loading stuff in the trunk, and some stains in the finish that are annoying me. Fine sanding will take out the scratches and aggressive polishing could remove the stains but how do I get the look of the original finish once I've worked the damages out? It's almost a matt/polished finish - but not brushed with a 'direction'....? Is the bumper clear coated?
Cleaning up bumper finish.
Moderators: GRNSHRK, ron, bfons
Cleaning up bumper finish.
01/1987 M6
past Bimmers;
1970 2800CS
1988 325is
1985 325E
past Bimmers;
1970 2800CS
1988 325is
1985 325E
- hornhospital
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Re: Cleaning up bumper finish.
They were clear anodized. You have to remove the clear coating to get to the underlying metal, then polish it, and finally recoat it with clear of some kind. It's not an easy job
Ken Kanne
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
'84 633CSi "Sylvia"; '85 635CSi "Katja";'85 325e "Hazel Ann"; '95 M3 "Ashlyn"
Re: Cleaning up bumper finish.
For temporary relief from cloudy trim, spray on a little GIBBS PENETRATING OIL (available online for $20/can) and wipe with a soft rag. Gibbs also works wonders on BBS alloy wheels,
Re: Cleaning up bumper finish.
Dean
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Re: Cleaning up bumper finish.
Dean - yes it looks nice but I'm trying to keep my look original.
I may just give the oil a try and see if this helps - thanks Lopena - but I will eventually want a more permanent fix.
I may just give the oil a try and see if this helps - thanks Lopena - but I will eventually want a more permanent fix.
01/1987 M6
past Bimmers;
1970 2800CS
1988 325is
1985 325E
past Bimmers;
1970 2800CS
1988 325is
1985 325E
Re: Cleaning up bumper finish.a
I had a brand new '85 535i for about a year, and even when new, those bumpers took too much of my time to maintain a decent appearance. If I had one now, I might consider mirror polishing with a clear semi-matte powder coat finish. Properly done, I think you could come pretty close to an original appearance, but with a lot more durability, I surely understand wanting an original appearance, and I try to maintai my E24 in that fashion.
Dean
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z
Lutz, FL
'85 635 CSi Euro #9402254
'87 Spider Veloce
'92 Spider Veloce
'08 350Z