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2005 Vibe Repairs

Plastic welding. Research it. I've done it, but requires lots of practice. A heat gun will get 99% of the creases out.
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
Been working the heat gun, works well. What about a plastic "JB Weld" type product?
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Never tried it (the plastic version), but what I did learn was a melting and blending the plastic with a like plastic was the only thing that worked for me.

Using a steel wire to hold the ends together by melting it into the plastic from the backside is the only way to go, otherwise melting and blending the plastic alone and expecting it to hold on it's own was futile.
 
kmakar said:
Never tried it (the plastic version), but what I did learn was a melting and blending the plastic with a like plastic was the only thing that worked for me.

Using a steel wire to hold the ends together by melting it into the plastic from the backside is the only way to go, otherwise melting and blending the plastic alone and expecting it to hold on it's own was futile.
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I am thinking that I will take the front end parts to a body shop (like a MAACO) to have them finished. The white originally put on the car was never cleared at the factory (Toyota thing) so it is dull all over, no sense in trying to blend it.
 
Chevelle_Nut said:
I am thinking that I will take the front end parts to a body shop (like a MAACO) to have them finished. The white originally put on the car was never cleared at the factory (Toyota thing) so it is dull all over, no sense in trying to blend it.
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If it looks that bad (paint wise), why not use this opportunity to practice and shoot it yourself. Nothing to loose.....
 
kmakar said:
If it looks that bad (paint wise), why not use this opportunity to practice and shoot it yourself. Nothing to loose.....
Click to expand...
It would be a rattle can job. I don't have a compressor or gun or anything to paint. I have a tree with a chain in it :)

I am good with a rattle can.
 
Marson makes some good urethane/plastic repair stuff. I used their products on a '70 firebird front nose (urethane). It moves, so not to create a crack area.
 
Took the panels to a local MAACO, said they wanted $1800 to paint them. Nope, went to a local paint store, got 5 cans of custom spray paint, will do it myself.

Also picked up a new bumper cover at the LKQ Pick and Pull (car just came in), just needs a cleaning, prep and spray. Got a wheel from a salvage yard in town. Now just to get it together, get headlight and a new inner fender.
 
I am studying up on refinishing panels. I have 2 cars needing paint work so I might as well learn how to do it. I am going to do the spray can repair of the Vibe and in the future do a complete job with a compressor and spray gun on the Durango, the clearcoat on it is peeling and faded plus it needs some dents repaired.

Reading up. to prep panels with good paint I need 220 to 240 grit on a DA sander. The fenders are loose so I will work on them off the car. I should not need to prime them just clean and tack cloth before color correct?
 
Depends on the condition of the paint on the used panels.... If they are void of chips or scratches a 400 is fine, otherwise feather out chips/scratches with 220, primer sealer those spots, then 400 the whole panel, then colorcoat it.
 
kmakar said:
Depends on the condition of the paint on the used panels.... If they are void of chips or scratches a 400 is fine, otherwise feather out chips/scratches with 220, primer sealer those spots, then 400 the whole panel, then colorcoat it.
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Replacement panels are in great condition, no damage on them. Bumper will require a little different work, if I do the hood it will need to be stripped.

Car has close to 300,000 miles on it. White paint was never cleared at the factory, anything I do will be an improvement. One day I will do the whole car, just didn't want a MAACO spray everything job that looks like crap.
 
Not perfect but getting there..

1666655000726.png

Just noticed replacement panel has a small dent. Oh well, a lot smaller than it was :p Amazing what different light shows.
1666655046157.png
 
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