Keeping up with composites

Composites have had a long and ever-changing history.

Jan. 1, 2020

Repairing today, preparing tomorrow?Two Sided Repairs

A heat gun can be used to restore the shape of a damaged plastic bumper cover prior to preparing and tapering the damage.

Once the front repair site has been prepped, an adhesion promoter is applied.

The repair adhesive is placed and then smoothed with a spreader.

For the back side of the repair, a plastic repair mesh is cut to the size and shape of the damage.

Repair adhesive is applied to the repair patch, and the patch is placed and covered with plastic film until it cures.Single-sided repairs

The damage on this bumper is tapered to allow for adhesion of the repair product.

A spreader forces the repair adhesive into the taper. After the adhesive has cured, a dual action sander at low speed is used to sand the material.

A finishing filler is applied over the adhesive to fill in and smooth out any imperfections.

The repaired area is now ready for flexible primer.Composites have had a long and ever-changing history. But today

About the Author

Edward Staquet

Edward T. Staquet, senior technical support manager for LORD Corporation, has worked in the body shop industry for more than 40 years. He managed a body shop before joining LORD in 1992. A member of the I-CAR Hall of Fame, Staquet is a long-time I-CAR trainer and has served two three-year terms on the I-CAR International Board of Directors..