Paint your own bumper fillers?

[Ryan]

Could I paint some fiberglass bumper fillers with a spray can and get good quality? My paint job is kinda nice.....It has a few dings and scratches but over all a good paint job.....it has been color sanded so it is really smooth. Can I get a match out of shooting it myself? Thanks.

 

[aminga]

The key to Good paint work is the prep and if you can get that you can get good results.

You can get a good match by taking a panel down to the local paint jobber and letting them match it. However some paints like metalics and some of the newer pearls application techniques matter in the match.

 

[gunslinger]

You probably could, but is it worth all your time and effort?
I took mine down to a local body shop and left them with them for two weeks. They prepped them and painted them with the next black car that they did. They only charged me $30. Ask around and see what you can get them done for. It will probably cost you more in materials than they will charge.

 

[The_Six]

I did my fire wall went to local paint supplyer and gave them paint code they mixed me up some single stage and put it in a rattle can cost me $20 a can but it looks dead on to me and I did it my self. It was the first time I tried to use this my air compressor quit on me so I thought why not try it for $20 i used to cans to get the job done. What do you tihnk

 

[Ryan]

Forgot to mention my car is a GN so black it is. Do I have to "match" black. I thought black was black?

 

[turbojd]

All blacks are not the same, they may look the same, but on a sunny day you will see the difference in some blacks, for example you may see a brownish look to it when the sun hits it at a certain angle. All depends on what the black was tinted with.

 

[gunslinger]

I told the body shop what they were going on and that the car is black. They match perfectly.

 

[Red Regal T]

I did my fire wall went to local paint supplyer and gave them paint code they mixed me up some single stage and put it in a rattle can cost me $20 a can but it looks dead on to me and I did it my self. It was the first time I tried to use this my air compressor quit on me so I thought why not try it for $20 i used to cans to get the job done. What do you tihnk

Looks good! Nice job. If I ever change out my engine, I plan to do the same thing.

 

[Red Regal T]

Your going to have to purchase one of the more expensive spray can paints. Scotchbrite the fillers, and then lay the paint on very wet, to the point where it might run. Of course, try to avoid runs. Let it dry about 15 minutes between each of these wet coats. If the last coat looks good enough, just let it alone and install them. If you choose to, you can wet sand them with very fine paper ..12 to 1500 grit and compound them to a high polish. If you screw them up, they will merely need to be sanded and done over. It's just time.

 

[The_Six]

Ya if you do spray it your self dont use cheap tuch up paint call around and get it custome mixed there are some places on line that will do it but its 30 to 50 a can.

 

[Ryan]

Can I shoot duplicolor paint shop from a spray can? Not sure where to get those spray cans you can ad your own paint. Anyone use this stuff?

Paint Shop

 

[The_Six]

dont use them call around to the auto paint stores tell them what you want and they will tell you who does it. here is a place on line I have never used them but it will show you what I mean.
Aerosol Spray Paint, Spray Cans, Lacquer Clear Coat, Lacquer Primer

 

[TheGovernment]

All blacks are not the same, they may look the same, but on a sunny day you will see the difference in some blacks, for example you may see a brownish look to it when the sun hits it at a certain angle. All depends on what the black was tinted with.

90% of the time it's because who ever painted it didn't give it enough coats. I've been painting for the last 12 years and although there is some differences between paint lines, it's usually human error.

 

[Ryan]

I brought my fillers to a paint shop. They want $140 for both front fillers. Will try another place. I know this may sound crazy......anyone try Maaco for small parts like this? I may try to do it my self. If I shoot the color...how about clear coating? Do I spray clear directly over the color or do I sand it then clear?

 

[Ryan]

Got my fillers sanded and primed. I bought some tack cloth...never used this stuff before. I have two,,,,one from a hardware store and the other is from a car parts store....3m. I opened up the package and it was really sticky. I guess it is suppose to be "tacky". I was so sticky it was all over my hands. Seamed like i would just stick to the part. Am I suppose to put some sort of chemical on it or just drag it across the surface. Looks like it will just stick right to the surface and leave a lot of sticky residue.

 

[TheGovernment]

just run it lightly over the surface. It's only made to take off dirt and dust. It can leave a residue if you push too hard. I know at my shop we don't use the really sticky ones anymore because of the occasional problem. In you case it will work perfectly fine.

The only chemical you may want to use is some pre-cleaner before you paint to take any oils off the parts.

 

[Ryan]

I have some pre-cleaner in a can. Do I spray it on the tack cloth? Or just an ordinary rag? I would think the chemicals would melt the stuff on the tack cloth.

 

[TheGovernment]

just a rag and soak it and wipe dry. then run the tack cloth over it just before you apply the paint.

 

[Ryan]

Got the fillers painted and cleared. The instructions say to wait a week to polish. Do I have to wait a week to color sand and buff it?

 

[TheGovernment]

A week seems like an awfuly long time. Just put them out in the sun for a day and you will be fine. you'll be able to tell when you start sanding them if the clear is still not dry. You could also put them in your oven for 30 mins @ 130F and after they cool down, polish away.