Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 116 Series (Alfetta Sedan/GT/GTV & Giulietta Sedan) => Topic started by: Doug Gould on December 05, 2012, 06:50:26 PM

Title: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Doug Gould on December 05, 2012, 06:50:26 PM
I'd like to refurbish all the plastic work on my GTV6. The US BB suggests SEM Metallic Grey. SEM is a dye, not a paint. I've used it to redo 2 aeroplane interiors and its really good. But the Australian agents in Sydney are hopeless and don't stock much of the range. Needless to say, they only bring in black in the bumper range. In 3M or Duplicolor the VN commodore grey seems to be closest, but its a flat grey and I don't think the original Alfa colour was like that. I really don't want to use paint. Does anyone have any better suggestions? I'm thinking of maybe importing a box of the SEM stuff if anyone wants to share. see http://semproducts.com/product-catalog/specialty-products/bumper-coater/ The colour I've read about is #39253 Medium Titanium Metallic
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: rowan_bris on December 06, 2012, 06:18:17 AM
I might be interested in this.  How close do you think the colour is to the standard?

Rowan
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Al Campbell on December 06, 2012, 08:04:50 AM
It seems you have to It seems you have to be real careful with the preparation for paint on plastic, to get it to stay on.

So maybe the dye, followed by occasional waxing would do the trick?be real careful with the preperation for paint on plastic, to get it to stay on.

Al.
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Storm_X on December 06, 2012, 09:38:44 AM
Can't colour match it and paint it in automotive clear with dulling/ Matt  agent
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Doug Gould on December 06, 2012, 09:51:22 AM
U-Pol might have something like the SEM bumper stuff that is available here. That's what I'm investigating next. Otherwise I think I'll look at importing SEM. Just got to figure out who can airfreight aerosol cans.

I'm sold on the SEM plastic dye. It retains the original plastic texture and becuase its a dye, does not chip or scratch like paint. I've re-done 2 aircraft interiors now and they both still look like new. Like all things, the hard part is the prep.
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: bteoh on December 06, 2012, 08:15:23 PM
Yeah, put me down for some if you are ordering..... i'll take 4-6 aerosol cans if you are ordering in bulk?
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Fast Eddie on December 13, 2012, 04:03:19 PM
me too quite probably please?
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Doug Gould on December 20, 2012, 10:51:21 PM
I'm still on this, but probably no action for another couple of weeks. Standby.
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Beatle on December 21, 2012, 04:38:24 PM
What about approaching one of the Alfa sponsors to see if they might be interested in importing a commercial quantity?   I reckon it wouldn't take them long to shift it once word got out it was locally available.
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Doug Gould on December 22, 2012, 05:52:50 PM
SEM have a distributor in Australia (Sydney Automotive Paints) but they are completely hopeless. I think any formal of high volume deal will be referred to them.

Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: rowan_bris on April 16, 2013, 03:35:04 PM
any luck with this?
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: rowan_bris on April 19, 2013, 09:48:39 AM
I have just ordered some on ebay and will let everyone know how it goes when I have used it.
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: bteoh on April 19, 2013, 10:58:47 AM
Let us know the link to the site that you ordered as well.
Cheers :)
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: rowan_bris on April 19, 2013, 11:35:44 AM
I was this one

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SEM-Bumper-Coater-1-12OZ-Spray-39253-Medium-Titanium-Metallic-/160889682024?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2575c5b868

I ordered 4 cans because i have two spare un-warped bumpers I wanted to do at the same time, so I have plenty to experiment with!

Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: bteoh on April 19, 2013, 11:58:40 AM
Fantastic, let us know how you go :)
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Alfapride on April 26, 2013, 08:06:17 PM
hi all! i'd like to give my gtv the same treatment with this, would a light sand be sufficient in terms of preparation? can anyone share how they have 'prepared' the plastics in the past without damaging the texture?
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: rowan_bris on May 28, 2013, 09:14:49 AM
Hi all

I used the SEM to coat the plastics from my car, but unfortunately the colour is wrong.  It would be perfect for a late Giulietta but is far too light for a GTV6.  It is nice to use and good quality I think but otherwise disappointing.  It made an excellent sealer for the right colour which I subsequently bought from Supercheap!

I water blasted all the parts, then wiped down with lacquer thinners and then sanded very lightly with (wet) 400 and that made no impression on the texture of the plastic.

If anyone wants 2 and half cans of the SEM (despite the colour being wrong) let me know.

rowan
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Alfapride on June 23, 2013, 03:05:39 PM
Hi Rowan which colour code did you get from super cheap? Any chance of posting some photos of the finished product?
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: rowan_bris on June 24, 2013, 07:26:33 AM
Sure - will put some photos up when the car is clean and will also check the can for colour, but it is the only one they sell.  They sell black or grey and the grey just happens to be right!
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: DomenicC1 on July 21, 2013, 09:59:30 PM
I have used this exact same paint for my bumpers from Supercheap that Rowan is referring to and it looks pretty good. The colour is 'Dark Charcoal Grey'. It's the only type of plastic bumper paint Supercheap supply and it also comes in black. I sprayed clear on top of mine because I wanted a gloss finish and I didn't want them fading and going chalky again which is what has always happened whenever I have sprayed them before.
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Darryl on July 22, 2013, 08:56:43 PM
Quote from: rowan_bris on May 28, 2013, 09:14:49 AM
Hi all

I used the SEM to coat the plastics from my car, but unfortunately the colour is wrong.  It would be perfect for a late Giulietta but is far too light for a GTV6.  It is nice to use and good quality I think but otherwise disappointing.  It made an excellent sealer for the right colour which I subsequently bought from Supercheap!

If anyone wants 2 and half cans of the SEM (despite the colour being wrong) let me know.

rowan

How close do you think the SEM would be to the 75 bumpers / trim - I think it (was) a lot more silvery than the Alfetta GTV?  Interested to give it a go if those cans are going begging...
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: rowan_bris on July 23, 2013, 10:09:01 AM
I think it will be too light.  It is really the Giulietta colour, but you are welcome to try.  it makes an excellent base coat if nothing else!
Title: Re: Plastic Bumper paint
Post by: Darryl on August 05, 2013, 01:25:41 AM
Ah right. Never mind then - doing the 75 trim is a fair way down my long todo list anyway...