Painting The Front Bumper - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

CamryMax · 10-14-2005, 05:22 PM

Hello,
Question. I had a little accident 3 months ago, it was too small to involve insurance company and it was sort of my fault. In any case, there was damage to the front bumper, so I decided to take matters into my own hands. I bought a brand new unprimed bumper ($37), and I was thinking to paint it my self as well. I went to a automotive supplier and tired to get some paint there, the guy tried to sell me all this crap i didn't think i needed. So i left. I went to few body shops, the cheapest price i got is $150 to paint front bumper.
I'm not sure what to do anymore, should I just buy automotive black paint in few spray cans and few cans of primer and do it my self, it would cost me 70-80 dollars. Or take it to the shop?

Any ideas, suggestions?

Thanks,
Max

***ModifierMR*** · 10-15-2005, 08:14 AM

Take it to a shop. Me and my freinds painted a whole corrolla in automotive spray paint and it came out like shit.

We even went to bare metal. As soon as the weather hits it its gonna loose its gloss.

toyboyracer · 10-15-2005, 08:57 AM

To paint a PLASTIC bumper you do need a special primer so it doesn't LIFT from the plastic.

Obviously after priming you sand it down with varying grades of wet n' dry then using AUTO paint (not cheap crap) you paint, let it cure then sand with 1200 then CLEAR COAT 3/4 times.

As long as you follow the basics, can paint EVENLY, I can't see why you can't do it yourself?

Oh, don't spray in moist high humidity temps as the primer/paint/clear can absorb moisture & bubble.

Mike Gerber · 10-15-2005, 12:02 PM

You also need a "flex agent" for plastic parts, otherwise the paint will just start peeling off in a short period of time. IMHO, this is a job that is better left to a pro. I would pay the $150-$200 that you have been quoted. You will probably spend half of that in paint and supplies if you tried it yourself, with no guarantee of good results.

Mike

***Eye8Pussies*** · 10-15-2005, 03:04 PM

$150 is a great price for a professional paint job, actually

lucanhookup · 10-15-2005, 03:22 PM

the guy who ainted my kit fucked up big time. the paint is chipping of. i dont think he used primer mabe thats y is cracking and peeling off

u can try it ur self.

DFBonnett · 10-17-2005, 07:51 PM

I had good luck with the primer paint and clearcoat from here on the bumper of my daughter's Mitsu......
http://www.paintscratch.com/
They're a bit pricey but it turned out well and the color was dead on. Lots of info there about flex paint etc for plastic bumpers.
FWIW
YMMV