Need help repairing/painting IS Airdam

[ArtFoodBMW]

Hey guys,

I bought an is airdam in pretty rough condition, but for only $10. Red will obviously not match with bronzit so I'm wondering how to go about painting.



You'll notice the paint is cracked and chip in lots of places




It's also pitted in some spots



So I guess my first question is, How do i remove all the paint? I tried wetsanding, but as far as that goes, it seemed to just smooth out the paint a little. Wetsanding won't fix the chipping paint. I then tried an orbital sander, it worked but I'm not going to be able to reach all the tight corners.

Would paint stripper work? One that is safe for plastic of course. Any other ideas?

And I didn't grab any pictures, but I picked up a rear skirt too, made from fiberglass. I need to strip that paint too and fix a couple cracks on it. Suggestions?

TIA

[noahsense]

I've had good luck with soda blasting carbs and small trim pieces. You can DIY a soda blaster for <$50 or get a small one at Harbor Freight for around $100.

[bastianshaw]

you need to use a more aggressive grit sand paper and lots of it once you get most of it off use a solvent to clean it like acetone or thinner then primer and paint and clear

[ArtFoodBMW]

Well the paint stripper I purchased did absolutely nothing. I bought sandpaper instead and saved 15$. 150 grit is working pretty well. I'm thinking I might turn this thread into how to for everyone else

[Richter]

I'm getting ready to tackle the same project, posting your progress would be great!

[ArtFoodBMW]

So the airdam was cracked in a two places, one on the top and on the back mounting spot. I compressed the top one, and put suger glue in the crack then put baking soda over it. It worked awesome and is pretty solid now. The back is healed too.

Sanding is working, but i need to keep going. Every once in a while I'd spray some primer down just to see what it looks like with paint over it, and in case i start sanding too much into the plastic.

You can see the super glue line on the top of the picture below:


Crack on the rear:

Repaired:


I'll start taking better pictures from now on

[KMOSES]

Eastwood has a stripper that works great and is safe for plastic "DeKote" $30 quart and has up to a 3 hr. work time. Also that super glue is not going to last, 3M has a two part epoxy that stays flexible, is made for plastic repair and works great on the ES/IS "Cow Catcher" front valance. I can send you the 3M part number and product name Monday if you want it.

[Farwest92]

IS airdam

Here's what mine looked like,
with the valance off the car,sanded by hand with 80 grit to remove paint, primer and sand with 100.
Primer and sand with 200 and so on until you are satisfied with results.
Painted with Duplicolor and clear.
Repairs were made with aluminum stock, JB weld and pop rivets.
Super glue isn't going to get the job done.
Hope this helps.

[1craze30]

Eastwood has a stripper that works great and is safe for plastic "DeKote" $30 quart and has up to a 3 hr. work time. Also that super glue is not going to last, 3M has a two part epoxy that stays flexible, is made for plastic repair and works great on the ES/IS "Cow Catcher" front valance. I can send you the 3M part number and product name Monday if you want it.

Could you pm me as well? I'm removing my air dam to repair, and have been stumped as to what I should be using

[KMOSES]

I will PM you both Monday with the 3M information.

[KMOSES]

3M EZ Sand Flexible Parts Repair (05895) 2 part Epoxy.

[anabolice30]

Hey farwest, in the last picture what is that black lip under the main airdam?

[CollinsE30]

looks like a Volvo lip.

[tomter]

What lip is that at the bottom? (Black)

[1craze30]

I just got done using Bondos flexible bumper repair. Very strong. I drilled holes on the ends of my cracks to prevent it spreading after repairs.