What Type Paint On Automotive Bumpers

Download Article

Download Commodity

Painting your car's plastic bumper cover is an easy way to give your motorcar a facelift. Offset by removing the bumper cover and washing information technology thoroughly. If y'all have any shallow scratches or cracks, fill and sand the damaged area. Wipe the bumper cover down, then use several coats of base coat, drying and sanding the paint betwixt each layer. Add together 2 layers of articulate glaze for actress shine and durability, then let the clear glaze dry for 6 hours before driving or reattaching the bumper.

1

Remove the plastic bumper cover or mask it off with painter'southward tape. In order to keep from painting other parts of the car, you tin either remove and paint the bumper separately or leave the bumper attached and carefully mask off the automobile body. Removing the bumper works best when you're repairing any scratches or cracks before repainting.
ii
Wash the bumper cover thoroughly with degreaser and water. Scrub the surface well with a tack textile along with soapy water. Using a degreaser like kitchen soap will help remove dirt and oil, leaving your bumper cover clean and prepare for paint.^[1]
- The paint won't adhere properly if there's any dirt or waxy buildup on the surface of your car.^[2]
Advert
iii
Wet sand the bumper encompass with 600 dust sandpaper in alternate directions. Run your hand over the bumper to find any rough spots. Wet sand downwardly these areas by hand with a spray canteen and some 600-dust sandpaper. Keep a constant layer of water betwixt the sandpaper and bumper past spraying the area yous're working on.^[3]
- Make sure to alternate directions equally you sand, moving back and forth every bit well as up and downward, in order to achieve a smooth, flawless finish.
4

Wipe the bumper comprehend downward with a clean tack cloth. Remove any dirt and dust from sanding with the soft cloth. The surface should be clean and dry in social club for the paint to adhere properly.^[4]

Advertisement

1
Use a spray can or gun to paint on a layer of base of operations glaze and permit it dry. Hold the gun or tin can nearly 12 inches (thirty cm) away from the surface and utilize steady, sweeping motions to utilise the base of operations coat pigment, which should be the same color every bit the remainder of the car.^[5] Overlap each laissez passer by 50% for smooth, even coverage. Let the layer dry out for 30 minutes.^[vi]
- To protect yourself from harmful fumes, make certain to wearable protective gear such every bit a face mask and gloves while painting.
- If you're using a spray can brand sure to spray a bit of pigment away from the bumper several times to clear out the nozzle.^[7]
2

Moisture sand whatsoever imperfections with 1500-grit sandpaper and wipe it downwardly. After the starting time layer has dried, cheque for whatever drips or imperfections. Wet sand them smooth with a spray bottle and sandpaper. Wipe abroad any grit with a clean tack cloth.^[8]
three

Repeat the painting, drying, and sanding process 1-2 more times. Always wipe downwards the bumper cover with a make clean tack fabric after sanding the new layer. Apply up to 3 coats total, or until the paint has total, even coverage.^[9]
4
Apply ii layers of clear coat to seal in the base glaze. Agree the can or clean spray gun of articulate coat nigh 12 inches (30 cm) away from the bumper and spray on the clear glaze in low-cal, sweeping layers. Let the layer dry out for twenty minutes, then apply a 2d coat and let it dry too.^[ten]
- Each time y'all go over the bumper with the articulate glaze, overlap the previous pass by 50% for the best coverage.^[xi]
5

Permit the bumper comprehend dry for at least vi hours before driving or reattaching information technology. This time will let the paint cure and harden fully. The longer information technology dries, the longer the paint will agree up and remain durable, and then you could even look upwards to 24 hours.^[12] After the minimum six hours, you can remove any tape and masking materials from the auto or reattach the bumper to the body.

Advertisement

1
Take the plastic bumper encompass off of the car. Dissimilar car manufacturers use dissimilar ways to attach the plastic cover, such as screws, tabs, bolts, and other fasteners. Examine your bumper to find the connection points, and so remove any fasteners and slide the bumper free.^[thirteen]
- These connection points may be near the trunk latch, tail lights, or bike wells, also as subconscious beneath bumper fascia.
ii

Scuff the damaged surface area and clean it with a plastic surface cleaner. Use some coarse sandpaper to lightly scuff up the plastic. Scuffing helps remove clay buildup and creates a rougher texture to assistance the adhesive bond with the surface. Later on scuffing, wipe the surface area down with a plastic surface cleaner on a soft, make clean cloth to remove any leftover clay or grease.^[14]
3

Rinse the surface and let information technology air-dry. Cascade some clean water over the surface area, removing whatsoever residue from the surface cleaner. Prepare the bumper on an erstwhile towel and leave it until it feels completely dry out.^[15]
4

Wipe the area down with prep solvent in 1 management, then sand the area. Use a clean cloth to spread prep solvent over the surface area. Prep solvent removes contaminants from the area, and so brand sure to only wipe it on in 1 direction instead of dorsum and forth. Wiping in two directions will drag contaminants back into the repair expanse. Once the solvent is dry out, sand the area by mitt with 80-dust sandpaper.^[16]
5
Consult an auto repair store to observe the right adhesive. The kind of filler y'all use depends on the type of plastic your bumper is made of, which is indicated on the back of the bumper cover with stamped initials. Telephone call or become in to ask someone at the counter of an auto repair store for some filler product recommendations before purchasing.
- The plastic types PP (polypropylene), PPO (polyphenylene oxide), and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) will smear easily when footing or machine-sanded. Plastic types PUR (polyurethane plastic rigid) and TPUR (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer) will turn to powder when they're footing or sanded downward.
- The brand doesn't necessarily affair, but y'all should stick with the same brand throughout the entire repair process for the all-time results.
half-dozen

Mix and fill in damaged spots with a calorie-free layer of filler. Mix equal amounts of filler and hardener on a make clean slice of cardboard. Use a putty knife to smooth the filler into whatever cracks that are less than 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) deep and leave a little extra on meridian. This way, when the filler dries and shrinks slightly, the cracks will all the same be filled.^[17]
vii

Let the filler harden for 20 minutes, then sand it level by paw. Beginning with eighty-grit sandpaper, and so motility to 120-dust paper to level out the surface. Finish by moisture-sanding with 400-grit paper to polish everything downwardly to the bumper's natural profile.^[18]
8

Apply two coats of flexible part sealer earlier priming and painting. Apply a putty knife to spread the flexible part sealer over the filled-in surface area. Use both layers immediately afterwards the other while they're wet. After letting the sealer dry for xxx minutes, you lot're ready to start priming and painting.
9

Finished.

Advertizement

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a bulletin when this question is answered.

Submit

Advertising

Once you accept painted the bumper, you should polish it regularly to maintain the smooth and brightness.

Things You'll Need

Painter's tape
600-grit sandpaper
1500-grit sandpaper
Degreaser and water
Clean tack cloths
Basecoat
Clearcoat
Spray cans or spray gun
Protective gear

Paint in an open, well-ventilated area.
Use protective gear while working to continue from inhaling harmful fumes.

Advert

About This Article

Article Summary X

To paint a bumper, showtime by removing the plastic bumper cover and washing it thoroughly with degreaser and h2o. Then, moisture sand any rough spots with 600 grit sandpaper. Wipe the bumper clean and dry it with a soft material, then spray on a base glaze layer. After the base glaze dries for 30 minutes, wet sand whatever new imperfections with 1500 dust sandpaper. Wipe the bumper smooth. Repeat the process of painting, drying, then sanding ane-2 more than times. Make sure to wipe the bumper with a clean tack fabric afterwards sanding each new layer. In one case the paint has full, even coverage, apply i layer of articulate coat to seal in the base of operations coat. Later on drying for twenty minutes, use a 2nd layer of clear glaze and permit dry out for some other 20 minutes. Before reattaching your bumper, wait at least half dozen hours for the pigment to harden fully. The more time the paint dries the more durable information technology will be, so waiting 24 hours is best. For more data on how to refurbish your automobile'due south bumper, scroll downward.

Did this summary help you?

Thank you to all authors for creating a page that has been read 97,602 times.