Tpo/pp

AAE

Learner
When repairing a bumper made of TPO what kind of filler do you guys use? Do you think an epoxy is best or a polyester based product? Which will give the best adhesion?

How do you go about repairing SMC? There is a a guy that has a mid-90 caddy with a fender that is cracked near the top and runs over the edge. Are those fenders easy to get off and put back on?
 
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I use SEM "Problem Plastic Repair Material" 39767 for TPO and PP. Evercoat 411 can be used to fill pinholes in the SEM product, though 411 won't stick to the bumper itself.

For SMC I use Evercoat 865 "SMC Fiberglass Resin" and 'glass mat. 865 uses cream filler hardener instead of MEKP. For finishing SMC, I use SEM 39492 "No Swell Plastic Panel Filler."
 
Thanks Crash. I was starting to think only my computer was showing my post! On the SMC, can you do a front side repair or do you have to do a back side?
 
I think it depends on the extent of the damage, and how much stress the area will be under. If I can, I like to at least scratch up the backside real good with 40 grit, wet it with resin, and put a pre-saturated layer of mat or cloth there. If the damage is serious, and the backside is not easily accessed, panel replacement might be in order. I have always dealt with SMC with very similar techniques as used with fiberglass, just different repair materials.
 
aae, except for evercoat polyflex you do not use regular polyester filler on tpo bumpers or any other hard to stick plastic. most fillers for plastic are epoxy based like the hardset filler you are using or fusoer 114, etc. the hardset filler will also work with smc as well, hence the smc printed on the tube. for actual cracks you should always use smc resin and mat or epoxy laminating resin like west system.
 
i learned the hard way with smc.. regular fiberglass does not stick very well damn smc harley saddle bags.
 
Thanks guys! And, Jim, thanks for all your help. The recommendation of hardset was a godsend.
 
If you're doing a cosmetic repair on SMC you can use polyester products if you coat the SMC with epoxy primer first, done it many times and never any problems ever.
 
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