Project colour code has begun.....

[mowlamb]

So, whilst bored last night I was looking around ukmkiv's and found a few threads on people that have colour coded their standard valances. I have a votex front valance on the way which I'm also going to spray myself but as money is tight I'm going to have a go at doing my rear valance. It's only a short term mod as once I have some money I will be getting an anni one but hopefully it will look good until I can get one.

I'm hopefully going to do a little DIY guide with pics to help others with no money but who are also fed up of the rubbish black valances.

The first stage which I started today is just sanding it down to smooth out any scuffs/scratches. As you can see in the first picture I also have the towing hook cover off. I'm going to colour code this too as it will stick out like a sore thumb once the valance is done.







I used some 80 grade sandpaper to get the scuffs/scratches out. I'm going to get some filler primer later on today to hopefully fill any little bits that I've missed. Then I can begin smoothing it even more with 600, 800 and 1200 wet and dry.

I have also decided to colour code the chrome part of the VW sharan badge Reflex Silver. That is in primer and should be finished in a day or so.

More to come soon......

[mowlamb]

Right after sanding the rear valance with some 80 grade sandpaper I have now sprayed it with some filler primer. As far as I'm aware this stuff fills scuffs and scratches better than normal primer. I've done three coats of filler primer and now have to wait for it to harden, so I'm going to leave it overnight, before using 600, 800 and 1200 grade wet and dry to get the smooth finish I need before primer and then paint.

[thatwillis]

Colour coded valances make such a difference  Looking good.

[Wayne]

You would be better to use plastic primer, standard primer may crack if the valance moves or takes a knock.

[Thom89]

You used 80 grit to sand soft plastic   and primed without plastic primer going on first!
I fear that you have just made some very hard work for yourself!
Your paint will fall off, at the first gust of wind, or blasted with a power washer!

Plastic bumpers should be keyed with red Scotchbrite thoroughly, plastic primer applied, 2 to 3 coats of 2k Hi build primer applied, leave overnight, then fill the scratches and dings on top of the primer, and carefully sanding the filler, so not to rub through to the bare plastic! once repairs are done, another 2 to 3 coats of 2k primer should be reapplied, left overnight again (If you have no oven) guide coat with black aerosol the next day, wet/dry with 800grt, re guide coat and rub again with 1200grt if your using a metallic paint, otherwise a 800grt finish is adequate for a solid colour,
Finishing should be colour sanding with 1500 w/d then 2000grt, then machine polish...

Here's a link to a guide I did a couple of years ago, http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=93525.0

Thom

[mowlamb]

IT ain't primed yet. I'm going to sand it all down again until it is smooth and then I will be using plastic primer. Then sand again then paint and sand again etc etc. It's only a cheap alternative to an anni valance for the time being. Also for me to learn more about spraying things. I now know I shouldn't have used the filler primer first but we live and learn lol.

[mowlamb]

Todays update.....

Well today I decided to start sanding it all again to get it much smoother. I started with some 600 grade wet and dry which seemed to be smoothing it ok. I cleaned it with a cloth and dried it and run my hands along it to see how smooth I had got it. It was ok but not smooth enough so I dug out my various sheets of sandpaper and found some 240 grade and set about the smoothing process once more.

The 240 grade seemed to be doing a much better job so I took my time and worked every inch with it. I never went all the way back to the plastic all over the valance but it now feels quite smooth. I think I might be ready for the plastic primer now. The only problem is my local halfords have run out so I will have to go to another one 2moro after work.

Here are a couple of pics of how it is:





Any comments or advice welcome 

[Thom89]

You need to plastic prime FIRST! The yellow primer that you have on the bumper will not adhere to the bare plastic, you need to strip back the primer to the bare plastic, then plastic prime, then you can apply the high build primer after. Also no need to rub primer between coats, all this achieves is your expensive primer on the floor...

Thom

[mowlamb]

Ok mate cheers. I will sand it back and then primer. Seems to have adhered quite well tho. Sanded the living daylights out of the thing and that lot is still on there LOL.

[Thom89]

Unfortunately, you need to get it all off, as the plastic primer will react/curdle with the yellow primer, If you have some thinners at hand, it may be easier to soak a rag, and wipe the yellow primer off (No smoking etc, and well ventilated area, and HD gloves) once nice and clean, then you can apply the Plastic primer, followed by your Hi build primer (Do NOT sand any of the primers between coats) 6ish coats at this stage should be sufficient, let dry over night, any rough areas can the be lightly sanded to remove the nibbs, any areas that rub through, should be re primed, but try and avoid rubbing through if you can...
Then prep for paint, as in my post
Hope this helps

Thom