Okay, got my Sambar last week, the truck is great!! only problem is that the front bumper is faded, it looks grey not black and I was wondering has anyone here treated the bumper with anything to return it to it's original glory? I could paint it but I think black paint will only chip/flake off since the bumper is rubber not black... Any ideas... Adam
Try a haet gun. It will bring the release angents in the plastic back to the surface and restore alot of its shine. This can be done on many automotive plastics. I've seen it done on jeep cherkees with amazing results. Take some before and after pics too.
Find a painters supply and tell them you need "bull dog" plastic and rubber paint, it works amazing!! It costs about 16.00 per spray can but it works and looks great!
"Black Chrome" Have you ever tried a product call "Black Chrome". I have not tried it on mini truck bumpers, but have used it on other vehicles and it does a pretty good job on faded out plastics. It is black in color, so it will cause the plastic to take on a darker color, however very uniform. You can find it in any automotive detailing sections of your local autoparts stores or even Walmart. Just apply to a rag and start wiping.
Found the perfect product!!! I was at Port Dover this last weekend for a motorcycle event and started talking to a guy from Meguiar's and told him about the bumper - well he lean's over and grabs this bottle and tells me that this is the stuff you need..... so I fork over $10 and take it home. Works, works great! I can't beleive how good it works! My gray faded bumper is now black again!!! and it's not sticky. Here is what I bought " Meguiar's Gold Class - TRIM DETAILER" it's used to restore dark plastic and rubber...it's magical Best $10 I've ever spent. Adam
ditto. got some "back 2 black" at crappy tire for $8.99. way better now. BUT now i need a paint job for the rest of my sambar!
Just ordered some Meguiar's Gold Class - TRIM DETAILER on ebay for under 10bucks/bottle, but the shipping to Japan is a killer. Oh well, I hope our clients like their bumpers cleaned up! Thanks for the tip, we can't find that stuff over here in Japan!
I recently saw a write up on taking a hair dryer and bringing the color back into the front bumper. Have not tried it yet, but will and post results.
Tried the hair blower. Dont waste your time. Not! No! Didnt happen! Dont work! I did get my truck back from Bull Dog in Louisana. Took it stright to the paint shop.
a can of semi-gloss spray paint is my buddy! Works on bumpers, wheels, and to clean up springs/brackets/wheelwells, etc. after painting body. I like the cans that have a "fan" spray. $4.
Heat Gun Method I just read this thread this morning and had to try it. I was constantly trying to get the bumper looking good. I used a 1,200W heat gun and the results were awesome! I went nice and slow, 1-2 inches from the surface. You could see the plastic change from dull grey to shiny black in seconds! It even got rid of minor scratches and white "water" spots. I have tried to get some photos, but hard to capture the results. The first 2 photos are of a small section, with a "water" spot - before and after. The third is a photo of 2/3 of the bumper done.
Wal-Mart has Krylon Fusion paint for plastic, works great. Bumper, light bezel & hub caps were all painted with it.
