Scratched Plastics

[frund]

Hello all, Have bought a Fiesta 1.2 2004 Silver 9000 miles only, with scratch marks to the front plastics wheel arch (no cracks). Ex elderly lady driver with narrow walled drive. I have purchased some Isopon filler for Plastic bumpers. I will also need some paint. I think I can manage the filling and sanding with wet and dry sandpaper. The paint side of it is a mystery, what colour exactly, do I have to add lacquer any advice welcomed. Thanks.

[SierraYankee99]

Well you'll need some primer, the colour of your car would be a good place to start with the paint colour. Metallic paints need to be clearcoated or lacquered. TBH it would probably cost less than £100 in a body shop to get it sorted. By the time you've done with fillers, primer, paint, clearcoat and sandpaper and time doing it, it would be as cheap and a damn site easier to book it in a bodyshop for a day to sort it. You'll get a much better finish than you can with spray cans and tbh it will probably last longer too.

[Russ]

Hello all, Have bought a Fiesta 1.2 2004 Silver 9000 miles only, with scratch marks to the front plastics wheel arch (no cracks). Ex elderly lady driver with narrow walled drive. I have purchased some Isopon filler for Plastic bumpers. I will also need some paint. I think I can manage the filling and sanding with wet and dry sandpaper. The paint side of it is a mystery, what colour exactly, do I have to add lacquer any advice welcomed. Thanks.

Halfords now do repairs like this quite cheaply. My dad had a repair done on his suzuki Liana and it came out quite good, you could hardly spot it unless you knew it was there.

[frund]

On closer inspection it is a 1.4 (change of ownership document) still the same body work. May be easier to go to a body shop and as you say probably look better. On the other hand I fancy a challenge so.... I am considering my options. Thanks for the replies.

[SierraYankee99]

I am considering my options. Thanks for the replies.

By all means consider your options, but also consider this. You need to ask what materials you'll need, are you really upto the challenge this kind of job will give. Believe me repairing plastic scuffs is easy, blending new paint in with old paint so it doesnt stick out worse than the original scratches is the art here. My spraying ability is above average I'd say, but when it comes to blending in and matching up The Lady goes to a body Dr every time.

[frund]

I would agree with you totally the body shop is the choice but I have 3 corners needing slight attention and the fee would be around £200 that is money I can spend on more needy things. Also there is a slight bulge in the front bumper about 3 inch from where it joings the metal wing caused by a unfriendly pavement I would think. "you really need a new bumper" the man said. After re clipping the lower fix point I used a heat gun, come paint stripper under the wing and behind the mud guard, to warm up the plastics outer 2" and pushed it in holding untill cool looks good. Just to be sure I reinforced it behind with glass tape and plastic 2 part Isopon. I have 3 cans of spray, U/c, Moondust and Laquer. I intend to wet/ dry sand, mask off the metal wing and spray the shape of the contour that way it should be less noticable. It may not be anywhere as good as a Pro job but I hope to come out under £30 and at the moment that will be good. Happy Easter.

[hedgepig]

I would agree with you totally the body shop is the choice but I have 3 corners needing slight attention and the fee would be around £200 that is money I can spend on more needy things. Also there is a slight bulge in the front bumper about 3 inch from where it joings the metal wing caused by a unfriendly pavement I would think. "you really need a new bumper" the man said. After re clipping the lower fix point I used a heat gun, come paint stripper under the wing and behind the mud guard, to warm up the plastics outer 2" and pushed it in holding untill cool looks good. Just to be sure I reinforced it behind with glass tape and plastic 2 part Isopon. I have 3 cans of spray, U/c, Moondust and Laquer. I intend to wet/ dry sand, mask off the metal wing and spray the shape of the contour that way it should be less noticable. It may not be anywhere as good as a Pro job but I hope to come out under £30 and at the moment that will be good. Happy Easter.

Sounds like you've got it nailed--£30 as opposed to £200......no contest! :)