Stripping Paint off bumper

[HVAC Phil]

I need to strip the old paint off the rear bumper on a 1999 Mustang. The stock paint is all spider webbed, so a scuff and reshoot won't work. Is there a paint stripper anyone has used that works good and is safe for the plastic bumper? Or am i stuck sanding the paint down to plastic with a DA/by hand?

 

[jcclark]

I've used several brands of stripper on bumpers and never had a problem.
Just test on the backside first and verify.
Most plastic bumpers won't be affected.
I did recently have an aftermarket "add-on" for a front truck
bumper that the stripper did attack, but it was more like a rubber
than a plastic. Took a lot of sanding to smooth that one out,
looket like an alligator after the stripper got it (LOL)
I've had some door handles do the same thing so just test it
first.

 

[HVAC Phil]

I've used several brands of stripper on bumpers and never had a problem.
Just test on the backside first and verify.
Most plastic bumpers won't be affected.
I did recently have an aftermarket "add-on" for a front truck
bumper that the stripper did attack, but it was more like a rubber
than a plastic. Took a lot of sanding to smooth that one out,
looket like an alligator after the stripper got it (LOL)
I've had some door handles do the same thing so just test it
first.

So you think i'll be fine stripping it huh? Have you used the aircraft stripper? It's what i normally use, i'll test it on the backside first.

 

[crashtech]

This is just my opinion, but I don't use chemical strippers on anything but metal parts.

 

[jcclark]

Aircraft stripper is just a generic name, it means nothing.
There are some good ones and some really cheap weak ones.
Don't let that name fool you, most all brands use that term now.
But like I said, test a small area for maybe 30 min. to be sure.
I prefer to not use stripper, I'll sand when possible, but sometimes
it's the only way to get those tight crannies stripped.
Just make darn sure you wash and scrub it real good after stripping.
I use a red scotchbrite with Joy dish detergent and scrubb the plastic thoroughly.
Then , just as important, make sure it's completely dry before painting.
I like the stripper in aerosol cans, you can build it up without disturbing it.
Autozone even sells some that worked pretty good.
there are gallon cans from Home Depot that come with a little sprayer,
that works good too.

 

[jcclark]

double post

 

[Bob Hollinshead]

There are strippers designed for use on bumper covers but some plastics really shouldn't be stripped this way-urethane is one. I bet that cover may be urethane. Media blasting is one option-find your nearest bumper recycler and get a quote for stripping. Sand it off-takes time.

 

[Barry]

There are strippers designed for use on bumper covers but some plastics really shouldn't be stripped this way-urethane is one. I bet that cover may be urethane. Media blasting is one option-find your nearest bumper recycler and get a quote for stripping. Sand it off-takes time.

I hear shops doing it this way everyday, as they all have been burnt by using paint stripper, even sand works great for bumpers.

 

[crashtech]

I've been afraid to try blasting, I thought it would erode contours and change the appearance of the bumper too much. To think of all the time I have spent hand stripping hard to reach areas, if blasting works I will kick myself!

 

[Bob Hollinshead]

I've used sandblasting for repair areas in fiberglass parts and also SMC header panels-especially handy in nooks that are difficult to V-out and prep for repair material. Urethane Supply Co. offers some training that teaches how to incorporate using a sand blaster in plastic repair-interesting stuff: http://www.urethanesupply.com/class_01.php

 

[crashtech]

Bob, have you attended that $400 course in Alabama? I wish there was a closer option, the cost for air travel and lodging really add up!

 

[Bob Hollinshead]

No, I haven't been to that class but I bet it is good. I've done the I-Car plastic repair training and that provided some usefull stuff. And I've seen quite a few 3M, Kent, and Fusor demos but I would bet that Urethane Supply training gets into some repair techniques you won't find anywhere else. Looks like they have a selection of videos also. http://www.urethanesupply.com/videos.php

 

[crazycuda]

I have always used Bulldog flexible bumper paint stripper and a plastic bondo spreader to scrape with. Once the bumper is pulled down to the factory primer I stop with the stripper and wash the begisses out of the bumper. The go over to the old method of sanding.