I've just bought a 'spare' bumper on ebay which has a bit of damage that I would like to repair myself (if I can't mod my car I may as well mod my spare parts ). Not having done this before, I'm looking for some tips/tricks with regards to filler (any good brands, or ones to avoid?) and getting rid of the current paint (I would like to end up with a primed bumper which I can take to a body shop to paint in the colour of my car).

Getting rid of the paint isn't necessary, they can spray over that!

As for the bumper repair, a pic of the damage would help

Not my pictures (as I only collected it tonight), but it should give a general idea as to the extend of the repairs required

Well just a smooth sanding filler needed here I think Q, don't really see the need for fibreglass on damage that small...

I would use a flexible filler, something like Plastic Padding, otherwise it will crack easily, oh and use the proper primer for plastic too.

Well just a smooth sanding filler needed here I think Q, don't really see the need for fibreglass on damage that small...

I would use a flexible filler, something like Plastic Padding, otherwise it will crack easily, oh and use the proper primer for plastic too.

Have either of you got any links to actual products? Searched for Plastic Padding, but that seems to be a brand rather than a product...

Have either of you got any links to actual products? Searched for Plastic Padding, but that seems to be a brand rather than a product...

This is the stuff i have used on fiberglass before.

(Not sure about the price, this was the first one google turned up)

Plastic Padding Elastic Car Body Filler 830g From Choiceful.com > Building Supplies > Fillers

Would it matter that the bumper is made from plastic with that particular product?

No, the idea is that when the bumper flexes the filler does too, so it doesn't crack and possibly pop out.

Its been a few years since i have used it (on a rally car) but it never cracked, even with serious abuse.

Thats exactly the sort of product I mean Q!

Top man (+s )! Will have a good google tonight to compare prices.

I would just get the body shop to put some extra layers of plastic primer before they paint it and not bother filling as that doesn't look deep.

You can get isopon flexible filler for bumpers which you could use to fill and then sand back to get an even surface then let the body shop paint it all up.

The biggest problem I've found with repairing plastic, with FG or anything is that over time it will eventually either harden and crack or crack from expansion unless you get it exactly right.

Plastic Bumper Fill 100ml 4WheelPlay Car Accessories, Autoglym, Car Polish, Car Wax, Car Tools and Accessories

I found this stuff better than plastic padding, but as always you are taking your chances with plastics.

It might be worth drilling some small holes through the damaged area into which you can force the filler such that it can then get a decent grip on the area in question.