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antinora
29-07-2007, 08:12 PM
hey guys after this crap weather in sydney my bumpers are lookin terrible.. they are grey they look horibble..

does anyone know of a method of re blackening the bumpers which will last a little longer..

i am now applying coats of amorall on them any other methods used? ?

static1800
29-07-2007, 08:28 PM
i got this stuff called forever black, is in a bottle like shoe dye and is like a dye itself it actually coats them not like armor all. Can be hard to apply it comes out a bit uneven and can be streaky, but it looks awesome and lasts a far while.

I want to pull my bumpers, flares and skirts of one day and apply it really well and mask everything up as it's hard to get to everything and you don''t want it on your paint.

I have used armor all before but it gets way to much dust on it.

anarchycamp
29-07-2007, 08:52 PM
I use AutoGlymn Bumper Care after some recommendations...ive noticed the more you use it, the longer it lasts. My bumpers were in a bad state when i bought the car but arent looking too bad now.

antinora
29-07-2007, 09:10 PM
where do you get the auto glymm bumper care from ?

anarchycamp
29-07-2007, 09:35 PM
I got it from Autobarn...they usually have the Auto Glymn products together in one display box/case/stand. Look for the white bottles....I think i payed abotu $22 or something....good products...must be English or something :rolleyes:

rayray086
29-07-2007, 10:26 PM
I use AutoGlymn Bumper Care after some recommendations...ive noticed the more you use it, the longer it lasts. My bumpers were in a bad state when i bought the car but arent looking too bad now.

I was looking into Autoglym products too (I've got a mate who's a vendor) and went for the other product, Autoglym's Bumper Black. How is Bumper Care applied? With BB, it's basically an aerosol spray (like spray paint) and all I do is just spray it on to the bumper, spread it evenly and voila. I just end up cleaning off the residue that may have landed on the body of the car. Before that, I used Armor All as well, and I can tell you that BB is a much much more better product to use than AA. Lasts longer too - I've applied it a fortnight ago and it's still black, whereas AA would fade after a week or so.

I've never used Forever Black before but it sounds like the go too. Off-topic but I'm using a similar product for my tyres and I like it (doesn't give the shiny, wet effect like most spray-on tyre blacks).


I got it from Autobarn...they usually have the Auto Glymn products together in one display box/case/stand. Look for the white bottles....I think i payed abotu $22 or something....good products...must be English or something :rolleyes:

Haha they actually are!

Soundofav6
29-07-2007, 10:35 PM
I had same problem when I bought the car, that disgusting grey couldn't look at it twice ..I used cheap a$$ paint, those 3 bucks each, looks great at first, only lasted a few weeks through. With trial and error, I took all removable parts off and sprayed it,

I then figued,
2000G sand paper about 5-7 at $1 each
plastic primer $16
"Septon" bumper black $17
All these you can get from supercheap auto.

Probably take a good day to do the whole lot, just a tip.... NOT hard at all just take your time, also taking things apart is much easier and nicer.

I used magic black works nice but only lasted until it dried, nevertheless used it again after paint job tho, nice and glossy. the result is very satisfying.

anarchycamp
29-07-2007, 10:35 PM
yeah im orginally from england j:

.....has the Royal Stamp of approval on it....like HP Sauce and Tait & Lyle Golden Syrup :D

antinora
30-07-2007, 09:23 AM
thanks guys looks like ill be picking up some of that

joshyd-mk2gti
30-07-2007, 11:10 AM
read through your other thread ant.. http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=1298&highlight=shoe

ive had my car just over 2 years and i think ive used the kiwi shoe polish about 3 or 4 times to black-en the bumpers. lasts ages and does it perfectly.

Mario
30-07-2007, 11:29 AM
Hi there.. maguires make a product Called "back to black".. made for exactly what you need.. mario

DubSteve
30-07-2007, 11:58 AM
Meguiars Black bumper stuff for the win, its the best works really well!!!

Satanstoenail
13-08-2007, 12:31 AM
Kiwi shoe polish. I did all the trim on my car late last year and it still looks great.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/08/kiwi2-1.jpg

Same as that bottle but in black obviously.

moto
13-08-2007, 03:43 AM
citronella works great, smells good too

The_Hawk
28-08-2007, 08:32 PM
Kiwi shoe polish. I did all the trim on my car late last year and it still looks great.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2007/08/kiwi2-1.jpg

Same as that bottle but in black obviously.

I have used Armour all in the past (on other cars) and a couple of times on the VR6, but I find it wears off REALLY quickly.


Any further comments on this Kiwi black liquid polish? I like this idea since it's relatively quick and easy. Also as I understand it may just permeate the plastic a bit helping with the blackening?


Is there anything else, like vinyl die, that will give a nice black finish?

Golfer
28-08-2007, 08:48 PM
IMO, there is only one way to restore your bumpers - Step by step:

1. Remove bumpers and trim pieces (or mask well where not applicable)
2. Mask any parts you don't want sprayed (like red GTI strips)
3. Give a good coat of K&H Plastic Adhesion Primer
4. Wait 10 minutes, then give 3 coats black K&H Bumper & Trim Paint - It maintains absolute flexibility, and will not crack. Coat in 20-30min intervals
5. Wait at least an hour before removing masking and returning the bumper to vehicle. While it is very quick drying, don't get impatient and ruin your good job!

Personally, I wouldn't let boot polish anywhere near my bumpers ;)

I have used the above method on my Mk3, and on the wheel arches of my Mk2 (the bumpers have only just come off the car, will be done this weekend) and in both cases, the bumpers, arches and rubbing stips look like NEW (not exaggerating)...

True, it is a bit of work, but the results last for well over 12 months, and are truly stunning.

Cheers!
J:cool:HN

antinora
29-08-2007, 08:21 PM
picked up some meguiars exterior trim care stuff..going to try tomorro

joshyd-mk2gti
29-08-2007, 10:01 PM
Personally, I wouldn't let boot polish anywhere near my bumpers ;)


have you tried the kiwi stuff? works a treat. i doubt theres anything else as cheap and effective.

ausgolfer
29-08-2007, 11:54 PM
have you tried the kiwi stuff? works a treat. i doubt theres anything else as cheap and effective.

I'm very keen to give Golfers method a try when I have time to do it properly, I went with the Kiwi shoe polish option late last year and while it looked good for a month or so it looks shocking now. Espcially the rear bumper looks like it was painted black and grey by a blind man with a manky old brush.

antinora
30-08-2007, 03:28 PM
used the meguairs stuff today.. comes up nice.. i think i put bit too much oncause it was bit shiny lol

DubSteve
30-08-2007, 03:34 PM
That stuff is awesome just use a rag and it will come off the excess that is.

joshyd-mk2gti
30-08-2007, 04:08 PM
I'm very keen to give Golfers method a try when I have time to do it properly, I went with the Kiwi shoe polish option late last year and while it looked good for a month or so it looks shocking now. Espcially the rear bumper looks like it was painted black and grey by a blind man with a manky old brush.

ah ok. it lasts a lot longer for me because it sits at home in the garage 95% of the time now, away from the elements.

Golfer
30-08-2007, 06:53 PM
I'll post some before and afters of my method this weekend after I do the bumpers...

It's 16 bucks for the primer and 14 for the paint, both from Autobarn. A nice round $30 does not seem like too much for that "brand new" look, and that 12 months I quoted was being conservative. My mk3, which has never seen the inside of a garage, sat in the Qld sun, salt spray and rain all that time, and after the 16 odd months I've had it on there it still looks new... Don't know when (if) it will actually start to fade. I used it on both bumpers, the rubbing strips and the sideskirts, and it is resistant to stonechips...

Long term? I know which one is the better option. But if you're after a quick fix the Meguiars works a treat... for a while...

J

Golfer
03-09-2007, 09:13 PM
Here are some quick pics of the bumper restoration system I use...

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image020.jpg

First the wheel arch flares...

Before:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image013-2.jpg

After:
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image014-1.jpg

More pics to come...
J:cool:HN

Golfer
03-09-2007, 09:15 PM
The rear bar before:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image019.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image018.jpg

After spraying the adhesion primer:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image022.jpg

Then spraying the paint:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image023.jpg

Golfer
03-09-2007, 09:18 PM
The end results!!!

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image025.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image026.jpg

And compared to the front bar, which was in similar condition to the rear:

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image029.jpg

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i268/MightyEFIIXR8/Image030.jpg

Enjoy all, I hope this helps...

Cheers!
John

DubSteve
04-09-2007, 03:22 PM
Nice pics John might have to use them on mine :D

madglf3
05-09-2007, 04:18 PM
that looks really good mate, on my car (mk3) the bumpers have a few cracks in the black bit on the rear bumper , just like they have seen a few low speed collisions( not by me though n:) , do you think that applying these products would fix the surface cracks? also, how do you pull the rear bumpers on the Mk3s off?

thanks, Matt

Golfer
05-09-2007, 06:52 PM
Hey Matt,

The paint (which is almost like a plastic/vinyl dye) when combined with the primer, will put a textured finish over the cracks, but will not hide them completely. As you can see, however, you can cover up minor imperfections pretty well...

As for removing the rear bar, rear bumper has 3 bolts at the top under the little plastic covers, you can see when you lift up the bootlid, and some bolts underneath, facing up. Bumper is one piece including textured piece, so you will have to mask the painted valance well to avoid overspray...

Cheers
J:cool:HN

antinora
12-09-2007, 04:26 PM
the meguiars stuff has worked awesome ! ... i mean its rained and been out in the weather and it still has held up pretty nice.

gets the thumbs up from me

rayray086
12-09-2007, 07:37 PM
John, that worked a treat. I did the same with my Mk3 (did all the textured parts inc. spoiler) but I have a problem with it fading and rubbing out. I've thought about re-doing it with clear on top but then it would give a weird finish (gloss rather than 'matte'). I don't know how to remedy this situation :(

anarchycamp
13-11-2007, 12:53 PM
I did Johns reccomendation on my rear bumper on the weekend...turned out nice...will post some pics..

I was wondering if it would be worthwhile putting a clearcoat of some kind over the top to give the paint some protection and give it a bit more shine...:?

NeuSpeedGTI
06-03-2010, 02:55 PM
So I have the front and rear bumper sorted, but how do I go about getting the wheel arches and skirts off an MK2? a

Best way to re-attach them, more so the wheel arches because right now the plastic is separted from the from the metal/painted part of the wheel arch?