How would you repair this spoiler crack?
How would you repair this spoiler crack?
In the planning stages of a m635 bumper/spoiler refurb. I've sourced all the parts other than fog lights. I'm thinking some type of glue to start with. Maybe a panel bond adhesive?
Re: How would you repair this spoiler crack?
Have a look at this site: http://www.urethanesupply.com/Bumper-Repair-Flow-Chart/
Re: How would you repair this spoiler crack?
I was thinking about plastic welding too. I've never done it. A 525° iron with tip is around $12 on ebay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/80-Watt-Plastic ... SwqYBWmeX9
A bunch of reading shows that it's common to use pieces of the same plastic for best results. Has anybody on here plastic welded on 80's BMW plastic? Some urethane can't be welded successfully.
A bunch of reading shows that it's common to use pieces of the same plastic for best results. Has anybody on here plastic welded on 80's BMW plastic? Some urethane can't be welded successfully.
Re: How would you repair this spoiler crack?
I did a bunch of reading/watching videos and that $12 welder wouldn't work better than a cold knife on frozen butter.
Better ones are affordable, and can be resold after the project so I'm still considering it but want to get more opinions before I ruin the spoiler with melted holes instead of a crack that lines up.
What would you do?
Better ones are affordable, and can be resold after the project so I'm still considering it but want to get more opinions before I ruin the spoiler with melted holes instead of a crack that lines up.
What would you do?
Re: How would you repair this spoiler crack?
3M has some good bumper fixin products.
Re: How would you repair this spoiler crack?
Yea, I used some on the last m635 spoiler. It had a much smaller crack and the corners were worn down like this one. I stripped a repaint and the original coat by hand with a 4" sanding block and a paint stirring stick wrapped with paper. Then used some 3m flexible parts repair kit 05895. It was like a semi-flexible body filler. I then put on a coat of U-Pol #5 high build aerosol primer, and then single stage diamond black blown through a couple preval paint sprayers. It came out really well and supplies were less than a $100. Whole job was around 30-35 hours. I decided not to build up the lowest rib on the center with the 3m filler because it would have just broken off at the first rub.
I'm thinking I can glue a strong patch on the back side of the crack, with a undetermined epoxy/glue. And then either melt the plastic crack on the front, or bevel it and fill with a suitable filler. It looks like 3m does make a patch, and filler system like that. Has anybody used it?
I'm thinking I can glue a strong patch on the back side of the crack, with a undetermined epoxy/glue. And then either melt the plastic crack on the front, or bevel it and fill with a suitable filler. It looks like 3m does make a patch, and filler system like that. Has anybody used it?
Re: How would you repair this spoiler crack?
That's exactly what I would do. I used it in a Civic bumper cover. Should work great. I'd have to look up the kit again, but it sounds like you have a handle on it.
Re: How would you repair this spoiler crack?
After a bunch more research, I think I found the product I want to use. U-pol 7061. It's a filler, but it's impregnated with fibers and specially formulated for plastic. Here's a good video that shows it's work-ability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqtOGI2To7s
I reached out to U-Pol and was put in contact with the National training manager. We went over the description and he issued a prescription in a certain diction for fixing my affliction to cracked spoilers.
"David,
I’m the NA training manager for U-POL and your question from You Tube was forwarded to me in order to assist you with your repair project. I’ll provide you with my suggestion and if you’d like, you can either e mail or call me on my cell phone.
I believe that the 7061 can make the repair but in the event that it gets run up on a parking stone, you’ll have the same issue again. The damage on the spoiler is in an area that will take a lot of stress if it is overly flexed again. As is apparent, the plastic it’s self has not held up to the stress, so any repair – even plastic welding it (assuming it’s a weldable material) would potentially split again if the circumstances were repeated.
That being said, the type of repair reflected on our You Tube video for repairing a hole using mesh would be the prescribed method following the steps below.
1) Clean the front and back of the spoiler with soap and water to remove organic contaminates
2) Aggressively sand the back side of the spoiler with 80 grit – by hand or with a DA sander or a grinder. If possible sand at least 1” to 1 ½ inches to either side of the split. After sanding, blow off the dust.
3) Sand and bevel (dish out) the crack on the front side and sand the paint back for about 1 ½” – 2” on the front side. The idea here is to open up the crack and provide enough surface area to apply the 7061 so that it completely covers the area.
4) Back Side: Start the repair on the back side. Cut a piece of 2” mesh (or nylon dry wall tape) so that it covers the split and has about 1” overlap on all sides and place it over the damage. The mesh usually has a light tack to it that will hold it in position. Again refer to the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqtOGI2To7s
5) Mix the 7061 per instructions and spread it over the repair area covering the area that has been sanded and the mesh.
6) Front side: you have two options here. You can wait for the back side to completely dry before moving to this stage OR while the back side is still wet, you can turn over the spoiler and continue applying the 7061 to the front side while the back is still wet. Either option is ok. Some people find it easier to let the back dry before the move to the front.
7) Once the 7061 has dried on the front, go ahead and sand / shape it. I generally start with 80 grit because it will cut and feather faster.
8) Once you’re happy with how it’s sanded, apply GRIP #4 adhesion promoter, prime and paint it following the guidelines of the paint / primer maker.
9) OPTION 1 – I’m not sure what bumper material that a BMW has. As a general rule, adhesion promoter is not required until you get to the painting stage. That being said – the use of our GRIP 4 adhesion promoter can be helpful.
10) OPTION 2 – to make a stronger repair, there a technique called “pinning” that may be helpful. After sanding and prepping both sides, before you apply the mesh tape, take a 1/16 or 1/8” drill bit and drill a number of holes about 1/2” from the split, then apply the mesh tape. This allows the 7061 to be pushed through the holes and provides more / additional surface area for the product to bond to.
This should give you a semi-permanent repair and possibly even a permanent repair. As I said above, if it consistently comes in contact with the curb stone – nothing will prevent it from happening again – even the original plastic will not / has not held up.
Good luck. Let me know if you have any additional questions."
I've used U-pol products in the past and was impressed with it. I think I'm going to try to bury some type of stainless mesh on the back side by melting it into it, then do like the guy said. I'm just going to have to be careful parking the car, that air dam has a serious overhang. Ol' shark face looking mug.
I reached out to U-Pol and was put in contact with the National training manager. We went over the description and he issued a prescription in a certain diction for fixing my affliction to cracked spoilers.
"David,
I’m the NA training manager for U-POL and your question from You Tube was forwarded to me in order to assist you with your repair project. I’ll provide you with my suggestion and if you’d like, you can either e mail or call me on my cell phone.
I believe that the 7061 can make the repair but in the event that it gets run up on a parking stone, you’ll have the same issue again. The damage on the spoiler is in an area that will take a lot of stress if it is overly flexed again. As is apparent, the plastic it’s self has not held up to the stress, so any repair – even plastic welding it (assuming it’s a weldable material) would potentially split again if the circumstances were repeated.
That being said, the type of repair reflected on our You Tube video for repairing a hole using mesh would be the prescribed method following the steps below.
1) Clean the front and back of the spoiler with soap and water to remove organic contaminates
2) Aggressively sand the back side of the spoiler with 80 grit – by hand or with a DA sander or a grinder. If possible sand at least 1” to 1 ½ inches to either side of the split. After sanding, blow off the dust.
3) Sand and bevel (dish out) the crack on the front side and sand the paint back for about 1 ½” – 2” on the front side. The idea here is to open up the crack and provide enough surface area to apply the 7061 so that it completely covers the area.
4) Back Side: Start the repair on the back side. Cut a piece of 2” mesh (or nylon dry wall tape) so that it covers the split and has about 1” overlap on all sides and place it over the damage. The mesh usually has a light tack to it that will hold it in position. Again refer to the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqtOGI2To7s
5) Mix the 7061 per instructions and spread it over the repair area covering the area that has been sanded and the mesh.
6) Front side: you have two options here. You can wait for the back side to completely dry before moving to this stage OR while the back side is still wet, you can turn over the spoiler and continue applying the 7061 to the front side while the back is still wet. Either option is ok. Some people find it easier to let the back dry before the move to the front.
7) Once the 7061 has dried on the front, go ahead and sand / shape it. I generally start with 80 grit because it will cut and feather faster.
8) Once you’re happy with how it’s sanded, apply GRIP #4 adhesion promoter, prime and paint it following the guidelines of the paint / primer maker.
9) OPTION 1 – I’m not sure what bumper material that a BMW has. As a general rule, adhesion promoter is not required until you get to the painting stage. That being said – the use of our GRIP 4 adhesion promoter can be helpful.
10) OPTION 2 – to make a stronger repair, there a technique called “pinning” that may be helpful. After sanding and prepping both sides, before you apply the mesh tape, take a 1/16 or 1/8” drill bit and drill a number of holes about 1/2” from the split, then apply the mesh tape. This allows the 7061 to be pushed through the holes and provides more / additional surface area for the product to bond to.
This should give you a semi-permanent repair and possibly even a permanent repair. As I said above, if it consistently comes in contact with the curb stone – nothing will prevent it from happening again – even the original plastic will not / has not held up.
Good luck. Let me know if you have any additional questions."
I've used U-pol products in the past and was impressed with it. I think I'm going to try to bury some type of stainless mesh on the back side by melting it into it, then do like the guy said. I'm just going to have to be careful parking the car, that air dam has a serious overhang. Ol' shark face looking mug.
Re: How would you repair this spoiler crack?
After a bunch more research, I think I found the product I want to use. U-pol 7061. It's a filler, but it's impregnated with fibers and specially formulated for plastic. Here's a good video that shows it's work-ability. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqtOGI2To7s
I reached out to U-Pol and was put in contact with the National training manager. We went over the description and he issued a prescription in a certain diction for fixing my affliction to cracked spoilers.
"David,
I’m the NA training manager for U-POL and your question from You Tube was forwarded to me in order to assist you with your repair project. I’ll provide you with my suggestion and if you’d like, you can either e mail or call me on my cell phone.
I believe that the 7061 can make the repair but in the event that it gets run up on a parking stone, you’ll have the same issue again. The damage on the spoiler is in an area that will take a lot of stress if it is overly flexed again. As is apparent, the plastic it’s self has not held up to the stress, so any repair – even plastic welding it (assuming it’s a weldable material) would potentially split again if the circumstances were repeated.
That being said, the type of repair reflected on our You Tube video for repairing a hole using mesh would be the prescribed method following the steps below.
1) Clean the front and back of the spoiler with soap and water to remove organic contaminates
2) Aggressively sand the back side of the spoiler with 80 grit – by hand or with a DA sander or a grinder. If possible sand at least 1” to 1 ½ inches to either side of the split. After sanding, blow off the dust.
3) Sand and bevel (dish out) the crack on the front side and sand the paint back for about 1 ½” – 2” on the front side. The idea here is to open up the crack and provide enough surface area to apply the 7061 so that it completely covers the area.
4) Back Side: Start the repair on the back side. Cut a piece of 2” mesh (or nylon dry wall tape) so that it covers the split and has about 1” overlap on all sides and place it over the damage. The mesh usually has a light tack to it that will hold it in position. Again refer to the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqtOGI2To7s
5) Mix the 7061 per instructions and spread it over the repair area covering the area that has been sanded and the mesh.
6) Front side: you have two options here. You can wait for the back side to completely dry before moving to this stage OR while the back side is still wet, you can turn over the spoiler and continue applying the 7061 to the front side while the back is still wet. Either option is ok. Some people find it easier to let the back dry before the move to the front.
7) Once the 7061 has dried on the front, go ahead and sand / shape it. I generally start with 80 grit because it will cut and feather faster.
8) Once you’re happy with how it’s sanded, apply GRIP #4 adhesion promoter, prime and paint it following the guidelines of the paint / primer maker.
9) OPTION 1 – I’m not sure what bumper material that a BMW has. As a general rule, adhesion promoter is not required until you get to the painting stage. That being said – the use of our GRIP 4 adhesion promoter can be helpful.
10) OPTION 2 – to make a stronger repair, there a technique called “pinning” that may be helpful. After sanding and prepping both sides, before you apply the mesh tape, take a 1/16 or 1/8” drill bit and drill a number of holes about 1/2” from the split, then apply the mesh tape. This allows the 7061 to be pushed through the holes and provides more / additional surface area for the product to bond to.
This should give you a semi-permanent repair and possibly even a permanent repair. As I said above, if it consistently comes in contact with the curb stone – nothing will prevent it from happening again – even the original plastic will not / has not held up.
Good luck. Let me know if you have any additional questions."
I've used U-pol products in the past and was impressed with it. I think I'm going to try to bury some type of stainless mesh on the back side by melting it into it, then do like the guy said. I'm just going to have to be careful parking the car, that air dam has a serious overhang. Ol' shark face looking mug.
I reached out to U-Pol and was put in contact with the National training manager. We went over the description and he issued a prescription in a certain diction for fixing my affliction to cracked spoilers.
"David,
I’m the NA training manager for U-POL and your question from You Tube was forwarded to me in order to assist you with your repair project. I’ll provide you with my suggestion and if you’d like, you can either e mail or call me on my cell phone.
I believe that the 7061 can make the repair but in the event that it gets run up on a parking stone, you’ll have the same issue again. The damage on the spoiler is in an area that will take a lot of stress if it is overly flexed again. As is apparent, the plastic it’s self has not held up to the stress, so any repair – even plastic welding it (assuming it’s a weldable material) would potentially split again if the circumstances were repeated.
That being said, the type of repair reflected on our You Tube video for repairing a hole using mesh would be the prescribed method following the steps below.
1) Clean the front and back of the spoiler with soap and water to remove organic contaminates
2) Aggressively sand the back side of the spoiler with 80 grit – by hand or with a DA sander or a grinder. If possible sand at least 1” to 1 ½ inches to either side of the split. After sanding, blow off the dust.
3) Sand and bevel (dish out) the crack on the front side and sand the paint back for about 1 ½” – 2” on the front side. The idea here is to open up the crack and provide enough surface area to apply the 7061 so that it completely covers the area.
4) Back Side: Start the repair on the back side. Cut a piece of 2” mesh (or nylon dry wall tape) so that it covers the split and has about 1” overlap on all sides and place it over the damage. The mesh usually has a light tack to it that will hold it in position. Again refer to the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqtOGI2To7s
5) Mix the 7061 per instructions and spread it over the repair area covering the area that has been sanded and the mesh.
6) Front side: you have two options here. You can wait for the back side to completely dry before moving to this stage OR while the back side is still wet, you can turn over the spoiler and continue applying the 7061 to the front side while the back is still wet. Either option is ok. Some people find it easier to let the back dry before the move to the front.
7) Once the 7061 has dried on the front, go ahead and sand / shape it. I generally start with 80 grit because it will cut and feather faster.
8) Once you’re happy with how it’s sanded, apply GRIP #4 adhesion promoter, prime and paint it following the guidelines of the paint / primer maker.
9) OPTION 1 – I’m not sure what bumper material that a BMW has. As a general rule, adhesion promoter is not required until you get to the painting stage. That being said – the use of our GRIP 4 adhesion promoter can be helpful.
10) OPTION 2 – to make a stronger repair, there a technique called “pinning” that may be helpful. After sanding and prepping both sides, before you apply the mesh tape, take a 1/16 or 1/8” drill bit and drill a number of holes about 1/2” from the split, then apply the mesh tape. This allows the 7061 to be pushed through the holes and provides more / additional surface area for the product to bond to.
This should give you a semi-permanent repair and possibly even a permanent repair. As I said above, if it consistently comes in contact with the curb stone – nothing will prevent it from happening again – even the original plastic will not / has not held up.
Good luck. Let me know if you have any additional questions."
I've used U-pol products in the past and was impressed with it. I think I'm going to try to bury some type of stainless mesh on the back side by melting it into it, then do like the guy said. I'm just going to have to be careful parking the car, that air dam has a serious overhang. Ol' shark face looking mug.