MK5 Golf GTI

General => Detailing => Topic started by: Panthera on January 12, 2017, 11:26:11 am

Title: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: Panthera on January 12, 2017, 11:26:11 am
Morning all,

What technique do you use to apply a plastic dressing onto the grey honeycomb bumper inserts (Fog light pieces) as I am struggling.   

I am currently using Gtechniq T1 Tyres and Trim - which I find to be brilliant at giving a nice shine on the tyre sidewalls and skirts, lower half of the rear bumper, but most importantly it keeps the shine on the tyres for the longest.  I apply this 'gel' using a tyre applicator sponge. 

So how do people dress these parts - highlighted?
I thought about a spray, but that would go everywhere, no matter how careful you where.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/533/31887715980_a98ffe397e_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/QzNT1y)bumper1 (https://flic.kr/p/QzNT1y) by Darren Hughes (https://www.flickr.com/photos/djmhughesuk/), on Flickr

Darren

 
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: SiimpleHarry on January 12, 2017, 08:33:07 pm
Might be the lazy boy approach but I've always just used the spray and wiped away any excess from the paint work(usually so minimal that I never have to do it). The key is to do it without wind direction (i.e. in a garage) and with delicate application.

I have tried using an old detailing brush but found it still left quite a bit of excess in the honey comb, so I figured the spray was the easier method with minimal clean up. I have also had some success by using a microfibre demist pad (which is what I use for the rest of the flat plastic), but again with residue. And of course if you don't remove the excess residue you pick up all kinds of dirt when driving which just sticks to the gel.
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: white91 on January 12, 2017, 11:36:58 pm
Gtech C4


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: MPS on January 13, 2017, 12:36:32 am
Easier to unscrew the mounting bolts and remove surely?
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: lukemk5gti on January 13, 2017, 09:31:48 am
303 Aerospace Protectant is well regarded on the forum - https://www.amazon.co.uk/303-Aerospace-Protectant-Trigger-protector/dp/B0004ELKC4
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: SurreyED30 on January 13, 2017, 11:38:19 am
I use a small amount of PoorBoys natural look dressing and a detailing brush.

Use a very small amount of product and it will go along way, keep brushing vertically and horizontally to get it in every bit of the grill so you even out the finish and wont have any left over residue.

 :happy2:
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: Panthera on January 13, 2017, 05:15:26 pm
Thank you for the idea of a detailing brush and product - I might give that a go.  I do have a bottle of 303 (Brill stuff) and PB Natural look dressing.
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: AliGTI on January 16, 2017, 12:05:37 pm
I was having the same dilemma a few weeks back. Where I work sells things called foam brushes. Type foam brush in to ebay and you'll see them. I used a 1" for all grilles. The product I used was AM trim from AM Detailing. Happy coating!
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: willni on January 19, 2017, 06:56:36 pm
I use Autofinesse Revive, put it on a pad and rub in, for other honeycomb pieces I wear rubber gloves put in in my hands and apply with my fingers
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: CP-Performance on January 27, 2017, 12:16:53 pm
I've used aerospace 303 a few times but always find it needs a re-coat every few months.

I've applied Gtechniq C4 to a couple of friends cars now and heard good reviews months afterwards, so I would probably be tempted to go with that on your car. I'll be doing my Ed30 soon enough so will be able to report back about how good it has held up
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: SamMas on January 27, 2017, 04:31:45 pm
I was having the same dilemma a few weeks back. Where I work sells things called foam brushes. Type foam brush in to ebay and you'll see them. I used a 1" for all grilles. The product I used was AM trim from AM Detailing. Happy coating!

+1 on the foam brushes!

If you're looking for a more permanent solution, as has been stated above check out Gtechniq C4 Permanent Trim Restorer  :happy2:
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: dansmith180 on February 15, 2017, 10:37:39 am
I couldn't be bothered so I bought new ones
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: AJP on February 15, 2017, 04:46:33 pm
I'm going to get all the honeycomb bits sprayed up gloss black sometime. There's a risk it'll look a bit OTT but I reckon it'll work. Seen a few members have done the same and it looks good to me. No ferreting about with trim gel and all that nonsense then.
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: lukemk5gti on February 16, 2017, 09:14:08 am
I'm going to get all the honeycomb bits sprayed up gloss black sometime. There's a risk it'll look a bit OTT but I reckon it'll work. Seen a few members have done the same and it looks good to me. No ferreting about with trim gel and all that nonsense then.

I'd be interested in seeing how this will work out.

Assuming front grill top and bottom and fog inserts?

Post photos and info when you do!
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: AJP on February 16, 2017, 09:36:13 am
I'm going to get all the honeycomb bits sprayed up gloss black sometime. There's a risk it'll look a bit OTT but I reckon it'll work. Seen a few members have done the same and it looks good to me. No ferreting about with trim gel and all that nonsense then.

I'd be interested in seeing how this will work out.

Assuming front grill top and bottom and fog inserts?

Post photos and info when you do!
I started a thread about it not long back pal, got some useful replies:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=106346.msg1031022.msg#1031022

Also a couple @MC71 posted up in a similar thread - pretty sure he'd only sprayed the fog grilles at this point but it gives you an idea:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20170216%2F2ab4671ab16420b3633c6357b7b5760f.jpg&hash=c5c518e3c7cdbbd2e0b57febbe6ac9401b975a4d)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20170216%2F0d8f8684238d86697b53ef367a71b362.jpg&hash=e374659d2d92524bafdb4754cc4d625de5ed880f)

And one more off the SRS website:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20170216%2F20f2d1daa516763a3edbcabb677e5fe6.jpg&hash=67294180a51b1b2fc456f459e935f59db47aabcc)

Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: lukemk5gti on February 16, 2017, 11:57:01 am
I'm going to get all the honeycomb bits sprayed up gloss black sometime. There's a risk it'll look a bit OTT but I reckon it'll work. Seen a few members have done the same and it looks good to me. No ferreting about with trim gel and all that nonsense then.

I'd be interested in seeing how this will work out.

Assuming front grill top and bottom and fog inserts?

Post photos and info when you do!
I started a thread about it not long back pal, got some useful replies:

http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=106346.msg1031022.msg#1031022

Also a couple @MC71 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=4913) posted up in a similar thread - pretty sure he'd only sprayed the fog grilles at this point but it gives you an idea:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20170216%2F2ab4671ab16420b3633c6357b7b5760f.jpg&hash=c5c518e3c7cdbbd2e0b57febbe6ac9401b975a4d)

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20170216%2F0d8f8684238d86697b53ef367a71b362.jpg&hash=e374659d2d92524bafdb4754cc4d625de5ed880f)

And one more off the SRS website:

(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fuploads.tapatalk-cdn.com%2F20170216%2F20f2d1daa516763a3edbcabb677e5fe6.jpg&hash=67294180a51b1b2fc456f459e935f59db47aabcc)

Not bad, might do it myself when I do the full summer detail!

Plastidip or normal gloss spray paint do you think?
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: AJP on February 16, 2017, 01:58:17 pm
Not sure yet, I'm going to speak to my bodyshop guy and see what he recommends. Something resistant to peeling hopefully!
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: Oldy on February 16, 2017, 02:03:13 pm
I'm With you AJP and Luke in wanting a permanent finish.  I have read through many of the posts on here about temporary fixes, which although Ok, all seem to fade off too quickly, let alone the job being a PITA.

I, like you AJP, would worry that if painted, it may peel

My grill is grey too (which looks terrible on my black GTI) but looking at the prices of grills on ebay and google, there are many at not much money.  That seems a good alternative to me. 

Has anyone bought one of these in the link below and if so, are they OK?

www.xenonz.co.uk/store/p84/GOLF_MK5_GTI_GRILL_SET.html
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: AJP on February 16, 2017, 02:47:51 pm
I'm With you AJP and Luke in wanting a permanent finish.  I have read through many of the posts on here about temporary fixes, which although Ok, all seem to fade off too quickly, let alone the job being a PITA.

I, like you AJP, would worry that if painted, it may peel

My grill is grey too (which looks terrible on my black GTI) but looking at the prices of grills on ebay and google, there are many at not much money.  That seems a good alternative to me. 

Has anyone bought one of these in the link below and if so, are they OK?

www.xenonz.co.uk/store/p84/GOLF_MK5_GTI_GRILL_SET.html
That brand comes up a lot on here and seems to get good feedback in general. I assume that's the kit that contains the smooth number plate section?
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: Oldy on February 16, 2017, 03:17:02 pm
Yes seems so to me, although it also includes a number plate holder to fix if you want.
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: AJP on February 16, 2017, 03:36:06 pm
Not a bad price really. So are you thinking of buying a set of these to get painted up, or just for the fact they're new and should look better than faded original grilles?
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: Oldy on February 16, 2017, 03:45:45 pm
Yes, buying to replace the existing. They are gloss black so don't need painting.  I don't know what a paintshop would charge to paint the original grill, but I bet it would be close to, if not more, than the total cost of this set.  That plus no peeling issues is a bit seductive!



Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: AJP on February 16, 2017, 04:22:02 pm
Looking at the link, I'm not sure the honeycomb sections are gloss. But the number plate bit is, as you'd expect.

Either way, it should be an improvement!
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: Oldy on February 16, 2017, 04:53:09 pm
I agree its not entirely clear, but it does describe the main grill as gloss black.  I have emailed asking the specific question, and also whether it is true to the original size.  It may look better than the grey but will be very let down if there are gaps because the sizing isn't correct.

I will post the reply I get!
Title: Re: Plastic dressing front bumper inserts
Post by: MC71 on February 16, 2017, 11:21:09 pm
In the end I painted all the lower sections on the old girl, both fog grills and lower honeycomb section...looked good but I did have some peeling after a year or so.

I sanded (as best I could) and primed then undercoated and painted all sections. A pro bodyshop should be able todo this for less than a few hundred quid and give you an awesome finish.

PlastiDip is an option of course.