What to use on a 95 Cavalier bumpers??

[Mini-T]

This car has taken a lot of abuse over the years. Its not in great shape, but its what I drive and I do want it to look as good as it can.

My question is what should I use on the bumpers? I know that the front bumper was replaced after an accident. Its a black plastic that was painted grey. The rear one is original and as far as I know its grey plastic.

Front Bumper


Rear Bumper


Should they be dressed? Should they be waxed? Is there any way to remove the oxidized look from the original rear bumper?


Thanks in advance for any ideas.

Mini-T

[rusty bumper]

That's a mighty big difference in bumper colors!

The one on the rear looks like unpainted plastic to me.

If the front bumper has been painted, then I would use a paint safe product on it.......But no waxes until the paint cures.

If that's oxidized paint on the rear bumper, then you will need a paint cleaner to remove the oxidation with......If it's not oxidized paint, then you need something like #40 on it.

[travisdecpn]

On the rear bumper you might want to try some all purpose cleaner followed by either #40 or some #38 trim and tire gel. It may take a few applications to get the desired look, but it should come back fairly well. The front bumper can be treated with the application of Colorx to remove the oxidation and restore some shine.

[Don]

Since the front bumper is painted, treat it like the rest of the car...polish, wax etc. The rear bumper is going to need some serious cleaning, try some #39 Vinyl Cleaner & a medium stiff brush followed by Gold Class Trim Detailer

[BoilerPete]

95 Bumper

My moms car (shown) was as bad or worse than yours. Like "NXT Waxer" I also used Gold Class Trim Detailer, but I actaully used a degreaser to clean first (Meguiar's Safe Degreaser) then worked the GC Trim Detailer very hard and deep. Then after a few days I went back and applied another coat. This photo shot shows the bumper after only one coat.

[Mini-T]

Thanks for all the great ideas guys.

The bumper was painted 8 months ago so wax is not a problem.

I don't have #39 or GC Trim Detailer, but I do have all the other products mentioned. I really do envy all you guys in the US. It is so much harder to find Megs products up here. I can't find any accessories up here at all.

I think I'll try APC first, and see how it looks. Then if I need to go to Safe D-Greaser. Follow those up with #40 first and then #38.

I'll post back after I try it out to let you how it turned out.

[Murr1525]

Sounds like a good plan. You should be able to keep up the front bumper maintenance with the rest of the car.

The back bumper may need touchups in between, as dressings can wear off at different rates.

[rusty bumper]

Is that model supposed to have 2 bumpers of different colors?.......Looks like they would both be the same.

[Mini-T]

No Rusty, they are supposed to be the same. The front has been replaced a few time because of accidents.