paint Q!?!?!

[Lil86sedan]

I have recently decided it is time for a new paint job on the car; as metal is showing through on the roof and the hood. I have been interested in 2-toning the car (second color below the door gaurds of the car). At the same time I have seen similar models that were 2-toned (bumpers and all). According to multiple body guys, they don't recommend painting the bumpers because of the texture. Claiming it won't hold the paint well. Any suggestions? IS there a different bumper manufactured for the 86 corolla le sedans? HELP!!! I have already been willing to fork over the cash for the job, but no takers. And no, I'm not going to just let some random joe paint it. I prefer it done the right way the first time.

I just feel like I'm missing out on something. If I have to get the bumpers that can be painted. I want them.

[Project86]

you can try to sand them down? or maybe covered with a very very thin layer of bondo? not really sure, mine was already painted when i bought it, i think because of accident damage.

[Flashmn]

bumpers have to be primed with a special primer meant for plastics.

[89yotarollagts]

all i did for mine was scuff the paint and paint it like everything else didnt do anything special to them and they turned out great !!

http://www.cardomain.com/id/polaris659l

[EMEX]

I don't know who told you that you have to get paintable bumpers or what not, but anyone should be able to paint the bumpers. Besides they need to send down the whole car anyway, so I am pretty sure if you decide to paint your bumpers then they will send them down to, or prime to make them paintable.

[Lil86sedan]

Yeahhhhhhhhh ... I know that they need to be primed in order to get painted, much less sanded before primed. But, everywhere I turn, all the pro's say they don't recommend it. But, maybe they aren't telling me; like Flashmn said, the fact that they need a special kind of primer/paint for the material of the bumper. I dunno, after all that does cost more I guess. But, wouldn't they give in if I told them money was no object? Hrrrm, maybe I should just junk the car and get the VR6 I test drove today LOL! I dunno.

[twinscrewrado]

i know when i helped a shop paint an old truck i had, they had to paint a plastic grill that they had on a shelf that was the wrong color. They used this compound for plastic that has sandy grit in it and you rub it on for like 15 minutes and then wipe it off. you have to do this several times until the plastics surface is smooth and dull. That's all they did, they never sanded the plastic. it turned out great and never faded or chipped. i imagion your bumpers have cuts and scratches so you might have to bondo the whole thing and it will for sure stick to that.

[Flashmn]

It needs the special primer that makes the top coat sort of flexible... if its not primered, you can smack it and hte paint will chip off quite easily.