Fixing dents in your bumper is very simple, especially if it is made out of fiberglass. You can use a fiberglass repair kit to patch and seal dents of all sizes. This article explains what comes in a fiberglass repair kit and the other tools you need for the job. It also guides you through the process of patching a hole in your fiberglass bumper.
What Comes in the Kit
Fiberglass kits include most, but not all, of the things you need to completely patch a surface. Most kits will include fiberglass resin, a hardener cloth, a mixing tray and a mixing stick. In addition to the kit, you will also want a plastic putty knife, scissors, painter's tape and auto body sandpaper. You'll probably want at least two types of sandpapers for the job: fine and extra fine. If you want to touch up the paint color after you patch it, you can get factory replacement paint from a dealership.
How to Patch Holes
If you have all of the supplies, patching a moderate sized hole in your fiberglass bumper is quite simple. First, you need to prep the area. If there is any peeling or chipping paint around the edge of the hole, you need to sand it down. Then, you need to use your scissors to cut the cloth to the right size. You want the cloth to overlap the hole by at least a full inch on each side of it. The cloth does not need to be cut in a perfect square or circle, but it will look better if it is. Then, you can tape the edges of the cloth just to keep it in place. You will remove this tape as you apply the resin.
You need to mix the resin with the hardener when you are ready to apply it. Fiberglass will dry very quickly once it is mixed together, so make sure you are fully prepared. Use the plastic putty knife to spread the resin over the edges of the cloth first. Then, spread it towards the center of the cloth. If you are patching a larger hole, you might not be able to apply all of the resin at once. You might need to wait for it to dry, and then apply another layer. Once the resin covers all of the cloth and dries so it is fully hard, you can get out the sandpaper. Use the extra fine paper to sand the surface so it is perfectly smooth.
All you have to do now is finish the job by touching up the paint. Click here for more info on these repairs.
Share26 July 2016
Hello, my name is Veronica. Welcome to my site. I am excited to talk to you about DIY and professional auto repairs. Most of the maintenance tasks on your vehicle can be completed in your own driveway. You just need to right tools and repair manuals to complete the job at hand. Of course, there are plenty of tasks best left to the professionals. As you learn to do your own maintenance, you will start to easily tell the difference between professional and DIY worthy tasks. I will use this site to provide all of the information you need to know about this process. Thanks for visiting.