Touching Up the Bumpers

[Hit an Apex]

My 17 year old bumpers are starting to look pretty bad, especially the rear one. Is this a body shop job? is it possible to buy touch up 'bumper paint' (please recommend some), or is it possible just to spray them myself?

[nizam]

I've done this several times. It's important that you prepare the surface correctly prior to application of the paint.

SIEM makes bumper paint, and they come in the usual spray cans. They have many, many shades of gray or black, in glossy, semi-gloss or flat. The paint lasts about 5 years before the weather just beats the heck out of them (especially if your car lives outside) and you have to re-prep and re-apply paint.

You can get them at any auto parts store, or a auto-paint supply store. I'll go dig up my SIEM paint code that I used for my car but I think you can simply take off the 'accordian' off your bumper and take it in to a store and find the closest match.

[AlfaNewB]

the cheapest route, pep boys touch up paint (but it looks ugly). the expensive route, remove the bumpers sand it repair it paint it, clear coat it, color sand it buff it and reinstall it. LOL thats $350.00 per bumper, and PPG paint

[Grant]

I used "Back to Black" for my lancia scorpion. The bumpers faded to grey and back to black removes the oxidized layer. If tihs isn't your case, I wouldn't recommend spray paint.

The stuff that comes in a spray can is extremely hard to not leave "splotches" in your paint job. If you have a 1K dollar project car, go for it. If you actually care, I'd recommend saving your lunch money and having it professionally done.

[fraz]

Nizam,

Any prep tips? Like sanding with 600 or any particular chemicals/solvents to strip the old junk?

I too would like to get the paint code you used because I like the darker grey.

jmf

[AlfaNewB]

take it to a shop its 350 per bumper, i gave you all the steps there supose to do, i left out the PRIMER step , they do that to. if your in the los angeles area your welcome to come to my shop.

[nizam]

First of all, tape off parts of the car you don't want affected. This takes time and seems like such wasted labor, but it will get you to the professional finish you'd always wanted. I use 3M masking tape that I've first "softened" by sticking it to my work clothes (jeans, sweater) first, before applying it to the car's paint. The lint from your clothes uses up some of the adhesive so you reduce the risk of peeling any paint off ... especially if your clearcoat is weak (17 years old is "old").

For prep, as a general rule, soap and water is the usual first step. You need to remove all "foreign" matter off the grey strip, like oils and dirt. I know some folks apply that shiny tire-goop all over the strip so that absolutely has to go. You'd be surprised at how much crap normal detergent and water can remove.

Once that's done, apply some alcohol-based cleaner. SIEM makes a vinyl prep that can be safely used with the grey strip. The number of the prep is SIEM 38348.

The alcohol-based cleaner will dry immediately and you can apply the paint within 10 minutes of that. Work on one section of grey strip at a time. Don't try to sand the plastic strip, unless that is the effect you were after!

The last time I did it, it cost me one weekend if my time (on and off, not contiguous since I have to wait for the cleaner to dry, the paint to dry, shake the can, etc). Four cans of paint (I do double, triple coats) and the vinyl prep. Oh, and a little detergent out of the cleaning closet. Total cost was about $30.

[Hit an Apex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nizam I've done this several times. It's important that you prepare the surface correctly prior to application of the paint. SIEM makes bumper paint, and they come in the usual spray cans. They have many, many shades of gray or black, in glossy, semi-gloss or flat. The paint lasts about 5 years before the weather just beats the heck out of them (especially if your car lives outside) and you have to re-prep and re-apply paint. You can get them at any auto parts store, or a auto-paint supply store. I'll go dig up my SIEM paint code that I used for my car but I think you can simply take off the 'accordian' off your bumper and take it in to a store and find the closest match.