Plastic Bumper Care

[wingspar]

I did a quick wax job on the hood of my car the other day, and tried it on the front bumper since the bumper is a bug magnet, and even washing with a scrub brush will not remove all bugs. While doing this, I discovered the front bumper is very porous and rough feeling to the touch, and it seems many bugs are deep into these pours, and impossible to get out. Waxing didn’t help the bug situation, or smooth the bumper out at all. Is there a way to make the bumper smooth and take waxes, and help with the removal of bugs?

The car is a 2007 Camry, and is my avatar.

[Murr1525]

Re: Plastic Bumper Care

Not sure what you mean about porous, but it is possible the bumper paint is slightly different than the rest of the car.

You likely will want to try a couple things. I would make sure you clay the bumper (and the rest of the car), and then use a paint cleaner like SwirlX.

Between the two, you should get back to a smooth bumper.

[wingspar]

Re: Plastic Bumper Care

Before replying, I went out and ran my fingers over the front bumper. It’s been raining, and water is beading on the bumper. The bumper feels rough. A sand paper like texture. The back bumper is smooth.

[new2detailing]

Re: Plastic Bumper Care

It just may be "orange peel" on the front bumper. It will give the appearance of very small dimples (like a golf ball). Many new car finished have a surprising amount of orange peel on the surface.

[William_F]

Re: Plastic Bumper Care

Not sure what you mean about porous, but it is possible the bumper paint is slightly different than the rest of the car.

You likely will want to try a couple things. I would make sure you clay the bumper (and the rest of the car), and then use a paint cleaner like SwirlX.

Between the two, you should get back to a smooth bumper.

[yalerd]

Re: Plastic Bumper Care

If you say that you've had bug problem and if you've never deep cleaned the front bumper than it could be that the paint has etched.
Claying could help out smooth it out a bit but if the paint is badly etched than it's going to be hard

I would use a bug and tar remover, clay and see what happens. Maybe you'll have to use an abrasive product to try to flatten

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Plastic Bumper Care

If you say that you've had bug problem and if you've never deep cleaned the front bumper than it could be that the paint has etched.
Claying could help out smooth it out a bit but if the paint is badly etched than it's going to be hard

I would use a bug and tar remover, clay and see what happens. Maybe you'll have to use an abrasive product to try to flatten

This is the approach I would try.

[wingspar]

Re: Plastic Bumper Care

The bumper has a sand paper feel to it in the front. The sides are smooth. The car had 19k miles on it when I bought it, so maybe the previous owner drove it in sandy areas, or tailgated a lot. I think I’ll try clay bar and SwirlX, or maybe ColorX. Just wish I knew which would give me best results to make a decision on which to get.