Front Fiberglass Bumper Question

[warment]

Recently I removed and sanded my front fiberglass bumper. I noticed a few cracks in it, so I purchased fiberglass resin, fiberglass cloth and repaired the cracks. I removed the front rubber impact strip and I intend to leave it off for good. My question is, after I give the entire bumper a fresh coat of resin and sand it down, do I need to apply anything(such as gel coat) to the bumper prior to primer and paint? If so, where could I purchase gel coating? Thanks.

Bill

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William Armentrout
1973 911T
2.7 carerra rs specs
www.geocities.com/william_armentrout

[Zendalar]

What is this Gel Coat thing anyways? I hear people talk about it but don't know what it does. Even saw it in one shop under the manufacturer which does "Plastic Padding"

[warment]

Usually, Gelcoat is applied to fiberglass parts to smooth out the suface. I guess if you have it applied, you will be less likely to notice fiberglass surface impections through new paint. Just a guess...

Bill

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William Armentrout
1973 911T
2.7 carerra rs specs
www.geocities.com/william_armentrout

[JohnC]

gel-coat is essentially pigmented resin.
The resin is actually supposed to be a higher quality of resin, maybe it has UV inhibitors in it or something.

Its the first coat of polyester resin(fiber glass resin) applied in the mold.
This first coat is the outside surface of your part.

You can actually purchase pigment to add to your polyester resin if you were making fiberglass parts from a mold.This way you would'nt have to paint the surface! Boats are typically colored this way.

[warment]

Thanks John. It doesn't sound like I need gelcoat then. I can simply sand down the last coat of resin, prime, and paint. Cool.

Bill

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William Armentrout
1973 911T
2.7 carerra rs specs
www.geocities.com/william_armentrout

[Rot 911]

Bill, as has been pointed out, gel coat is the finish layer of fiberglass and is generally used when you are not painting the outer surface, for example a bass boat. On your bumper, sand the surface smooth with 220 wet/dry, primer, use glazing putty for any pinholes you find and then paint your color coats.

Kurt V
72 911E

[warment]

Thanks Kurt.

This board is the best thing since flat sixes...

Bill

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William Armentrout
1973 911T
2.7 carerra rs specs
www.geocities.com/william_armentrout

[adgx]

I just did the exact same thing on my early S bumper. I did the resin and fiberglass mat thing which worked very well. I then sanded it carefully with 80 grit down to 220 grit, cleaned it well and applied a primer sealer suitable for catalized acrylic enamel paint. I got the non-sandable type of sealer, but added some primer catalyst which caused the primer to dry very quickly and very hard. You can use a little bondo to smooth out irregularities before the primer. I sanded the primed bumper with 220 and after another good cleaning, applied the topcoat, which for me is American Finishes' Premium acrylic enamel mixed with a wet look hardener. It reall came out nice, and because I used non-metallic paint with a hardener, I'm able to wet sand and buff it to an amazing gloss.Good Luck

[warment]

I worked on it a little more yesterday. I is going to turn out really nice. It will take a lot more work though, to get the surface sanded properly. That fiberglass resin is tough!

Bill

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William Armentrout
1973 911T
2.7 carerra rs specs
www.geocities.com/william_armentrout

[warment]

I am still sanding! I simply cannot believe how tough Fiberglass Resin is! My shoulders are tired from all of the work.

Bill

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William Armentrout
1973 911T
2.7 carerra rs specs
www.geocities.com/william_armentrout