There have been several questions about how to sand out spider cracks in bumper covers, and since I was doing a little bit of that tonight, I thought I'd take a couple of pics.

This is a front directional pocket on a GT (duh) and it's been repainted once. Who's car might this be?



You can see the cracks in the current paint. There are several more areas that need attention on the cover.



I sanded through the second paint job and you can still see the cracks in the factory paint.....so, more sanding.....

Finally, no more cracking paint......because no more paint to sand off! I used 80 grit on a D/A to get through the paint layers, and before I sanded through the primer, I switched to 180 grit. Once I'm finished with the sanding, I'll prime the cover with epoxy primer, block sand with a flexible block to make sure the contours are perfect, then go to the rest of the car.



Mark

Why is it that I get only red Xs for about half the pics on the forum any more?

Dave

The pics work fine for me.

What is a D/A sander?

Sour

dont the spiders get anxious when you go sneaking up behind them with sandpaper? (there goes that stupid sense of humor again)

quote Originally posted by Sourmug: The pics work fine for me. What is a D/A sander? Sour

Dual Action... It means it sorta floats instead of being hooked directly to the center shaft.
D/As are orbital as well as rotary. Orbital gives a patternless finish, while rotary gives smooth circulating sanding.

Wow- looks like that fascia had a bunch of nasty paint layers... and with that much spider cracking, I bet they hit something... probably a Saturn

* bump *

quote Originally posted by GMGW3: * bump *

Yeah, it might have only bumped the saturn... what's your point?

When you go to paint the fascia initially, I was told to use a "plastic adhesion promoter" on the areas that go right down. I bought it in a spray bomb, but you can also get it in sprayable liquid. I can get more info on it if you like.

I know who's car it is.. man I'm going to have to drop the "primer class" this year from the show now...

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I've never had to use a plastic adhesion promoter. I use epoxy primer, which is just as good. I can't wait to see this thing finished in a lovely pearl fuchsia.

Mark

[This message has been edited by Firefox (edited 05-02-2004).]

quote Originally posted by Firefox: I can't wait to see this thing finished in a lovely pearl fucia.

*cough* *snort *cough* Ummm... I think I just coughed some milk through my nose

I hope that the owner has chosen a color much more suited to a Fiero - preferably something other than a lovely fucia!

Ar first the thought of a fuchsia Fiero disgusted me, but them upon reflection, it actually did seem to be an appropriate color for a Fiero.......until I sobered up.

I think this one is going to be a little more soothing color.........

Mark

[This message has been edited by Firefox (edited 05-02-2004).]

quote Originally posted by MinnGreenGT: *cough* *snort *cough* Ummm... I think I just coughed some milk through my nose I hope that the owner has chosen a color much more suited to a Fiero - preferably something other than a lovely fucia!

You're just lucky none of the pics from "MinnPinkGT" are still up. Or I would throw them up here and Mark would have some nice colors to choose from for that car that he is painting.

Eric

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Used is such a harsh term. . . I perfer "Previously obsessed over" ;)

88 4 cyl 5 speed: All show and no go
86 SE V-6 Turbo 4 speed: All go and no show

Here is the finished cover...and it's not even wet sanded yet! No cracks are there, because the cracked paint was removed.



I tried to get it a really nice shade of pink, but the owner was standing right there......

This is what it was bolted onto when it was done.....



Mark the bumper guy

LOL, now that I know who's car it is I actually get the jokes

Did I mention that I'm a little slow sometimes

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My whole front end is spider cracks.
Facia and fenders.
SOme I will get up the nerve to try and spray it myself.
Thats about the only way it will ever get done. $$$