MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Polishing Rubber Bumpers

Hello there

Does anyone have any experience of polishing rubber bumpers. I have seen some at shows with almost a mirror finish. I have been using auto glym paint restorer and Meguires gold class with a Porter Cable.

Anyone have a better method?

Cheers
Simon
Simon

Mother's Back to Black
...

I believe there are some who have actually sanded the texture off the rubber bumpers to get them smooth then polished them. Never tried it myself.
Derek Nicholson

Although a lot of work the sanding with progressively higer grades of sandpaper does work well as I can personally attest to.
Frank

Never sanded, got good long lasting results easily with Turtle Black Chrome http://www.turtlewaxuk.com/prod.asp?Partcode=FG3511

Don't use ArmorAll, whilst it can work it takes a lot of time and effort, but then doesn't last long, and they end up looking worse than they started.
Paul Hunt 2

I had a '75 MB 300D for many years and the bumpers were dreadfully dull. I tried many products, but also found the Black Chrome to be the only one that worked at all. Being out in the sun for many years, it took repated treatments before it came back to life. After that, an annual treatment kept the bumpers looking almost new. Ray
RAY

Black boot polish works well if the bumpers are dull but sound, but don't wear white trousers!
Ron
R. Algie

My car is black and the bumpers are painted to match. I highly suggest painting them, in my personal opinion it looks a million times better.

Ronald
RJS Stanis

I too used boot polish as Ron does - I used Kiwi Parade polish -gives a great satin sheen. Ronald - I have seen some show cars with 2 pack sprayed bumpers - IMHO they look too shiny though - cheers Cam
Cam Cunningham

Some of the later cars have bumpers which look much more glossy that the earlier cars. I'm told that the reason was a different type of Urethane was used. I don't think the earlier bumpers can be polished to the same level of gloss. A coating is the only real way to add gloss since PU rubber is difficult to polish. Shoe polish has to be the simplest way but I favour black waxoil for an even finish even though it does not give a high gloss.
Roger L

The late Geoff Allen (Ex-Abingdon) told me that there were several moulds and only one set produced a true glossy finish. The material acts like soft paint and will mark very easily, so any abrasive technique takes care. In my experience, coloured applications only sit on the surface. I suspect that once the skin is bleached you're onto a loser. I know some owners use paint but unless the primer is good I'm not convinced how long it will stick.
In my concours days I 'moisturised' the skin with 'Son of a Gun' - left that on 24hrs wet, then used straight body polish (Simoniz)over and over like soldiers boots. In the beginning almost daily for 3 months to get the shine, then occasionally. It does work but only if the polish soaked rag gets hot with the effort.
D Wellings

simonitz back to black from wilkinsons is far better than armourall and boot polish
just put on a rag and smooth on bumpers and leave to soak in
than next day do again but after its dried polish it up
stays black for a long time and doesnt get on your clothes and can be topped up for a deeper shine
also works on roofs dash boards and plastic
Ste Brown

I think the MGB Driver Magazine had an article in it. Its a matter of sanding, sealing and using the correct finish, but as I recall, I was really amazed.
Richard Morris

Richard, amazed how, positive?
vem myers

I found Black Chrome best also, but the US co. discontinued it. They recommend "Ice" as a substitute.

http://www.turtlewax.com/main.taf?p=2,1,1,1
Phil

Why not use cleaner for rubber dighies or painting them with COELAN. Just ask at the next chandlery, they store all the products you will need for a perfect finish of the rubber bumpers.

Ralph
Ralph

Thanks for all your help guys.

"I think the MGB Driver Magazine had an article in it. Its a matter of sanding, sealing and using the correct finish, but as I recall, I was really amazed."

Don't suppose anyone has a copy of this article that Richard mentions?

Thanks again
Simon
Simon

I've just done the Driver's method:

Remove the bumpers from the car (at least, I did as we were painting the car). Remove the lights. Wash. Dry.

Wet sand with 320 then 400, until PERFECTLY smooth. Trying to remove all the crazing and gouges might be considered foolish.

Wipe with a tack cloth.

Spray one light coat of bumper coating. Wet sand with 400 grit, let dry, tack cloth. Repeat.

Spray two coats of bumper coating. Wet sand with 800 grit. Dry & tack cloth. Spray two more coats of bumper coating.

Be aware that you'll probably spend about 8 hours total doing this... And they will look FABULOUS!

TheMiz

Hello again,
what is bumper coating and tack cloth?
cheers
simon
Simon

Tack cloth is 'sticky' cloth used by paint shops to remove dust from panels before spraying. Unlike ordinary cloths which just move dust around i.e. they drop as much as they pick up.

Coating is 'paint' of your choice!
Paul Hunt 2

This thread was discussed between 16/03/2007 and 25/03/2007

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MGB Technical BBS now