The paint on my bumper covers are cracking really bad, so I want to strip them before i paint the car. What is the best way of doing this?
Thanks
-John

 

sanding

 

SEM bumper stripper and sanding. Had great luck doing it that way.

 

My dad suggested the SEM stuff. Just wanted to get a second opinion. Thanks!

 

just sand wiht some 320.. dont go to course or you will ruin the plastic.. warpage will occur using too course on plastic. i try to stay away from chemical strippers on plastics and especially fiber glass.. some 320 on a D/A sander will take it right off and is what i would use.

 

I tried the SEM bumper stripper, and it didn't work at all. I bought 5 cans of the stuff, and was going to do the GFX and bumpers.

It sorta took the paint off the GFX, but on the bumpers it didn't do a thing. So I ended up sanding them.

For the cost of the bumper stripper, it was a total waste.

 

I use 150 on a DA all the time at the shop I work at....works great. 320 is way to fine to strip urethane bumpers..I haven't tried the SEM stuff yet..

 

Weird, worked pretty good for me. I had tried some other stuff that worked horrible then went back to the SEM stuff which is in this pic working. A lot less sanding had to be done after the thick clear and color were gone.

 

Ya it didn't do that for me at all on the bumpers, not sure why.

It worked OK on the GFX, and looked just like that. But on the bumpers, it didn't make a dent.

 

That type of stripper spray generally works best on factory paint. I have always used stuff called "PEELER", seems to be very similar to the SEM. Using 320 grit will take way too long, 180 or something close will work better. Just don't sand into the plastic with it or it will turn fuzzy and it will be difficult to get the surface smooth again.

 

I used Bulldog from KleanStrip.

http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/pc-1...er-eup367.aspx

Seemed to work ok, and doesn't harm the Urathane.

 

I agree totally with evilcartman.I also used the SEM stuff with great success.
It totally loosened up all the old paint.
I can't think of a reason why it didn't work for you cdoyle.
I think some finishes require a light sanding/scuffing to make the stripper penetate the finish being stripped.