Bumper colour ?

[Golfer]

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!
JHN

[antinora]

picked up some meguiars exterior trim care stuff..going to try tomorro

[joshyd-mk2gti]

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]

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]

used the meguairs stuff today.. comes up nice.. i think i put bit too much oncause it was bit shiny lol

[DubSteve]

That stuff is awesome just use a rag and it will come off the excess that is.

[joshyd-mk2gti]

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]

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]

A quick write-up...

Here are some quick pics of the bumper restoration system I use...



First the wheel arch flares...

Before:


After:


More pics to come...
JHN

[Golfer]

The rear bar before:





After spraying the adhesion primer:



Then spraying the paint:

[Golfer]

The end results!!!





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





Enjoy all, I hope this helps...

Cheers!
John

[DubSteve]

Nice pics John might have to use them on mine

[madglf3]

Mk3 Q

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]

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
JHN

[antinora]

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