Pre primed replacement bumper cover - proper painting process?

[ClutchDisc]

I am replacing the front bumper cover on my 2010 Elantra. I got a pre primed replacement cover. It says to wet sand it, and then wash it off before painting it. I have never done anything like this before, so could use some tips.

Wet sanding it - do I use sand paper or a scotchbrite pad? Looking online I see both ways mentioned. Also maybe a silly question but is wet sanding in this case just using water with it?

For the paint process, does regular paint work or do I need something special for plastic?

Thank you!

 

[QwikKota]

Clean it well before and after sanding with 400 grit. Adhesion promotor before priming.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Do I need to prime it again? The rather lacking instructions make no mention of primer after wet sanding it. It just says to paint it after wet sanding it. It was primed from the factory.

 

[Trav]

The bumper is already primed, use a grey scuff pad with scuff & clean to gently abrade the surface, no need to scuff through the primer so you don't need to scrub it, a couple of light passes will do. Rinse with water and dry. No more priming needed, just spray the color and clear if it is base clear.

scuff & clean instructions

 

[ClutchDisc]

Thanks all - how many ounces of paint do you think I will need? Any recommendations on how may coats is best?

Funny, I would rather take apart an engine. This painting project has me way out of my league.

 

[dishdude]

Do they still use flex additives on plastics?

 

[Mainia]

Do they still use flex additives on plastics?

I was waiting for that comment, do you need flex in the primer too, when an auto painter hopefully comments.

 

[CarLuver]

this may sound odd but have you considered a pre painted bumper that is offered online? paint is not cheap these days and there is some skill needed to paint well. by the time you add all that up may be better just to go prepainted

 

[Trav]

Do they still use flex additives on plastics?

Not for many years. Adding a urethane additive to urethane paint is sort of pointless. If it is old school lacquer or enamel then you should.

Thanks all - how many ounces of paint do you think I will need? Any recommendations on how may coats is best?

Funny, I would rather take apart an engine. This painting project has me way out of my league.

What do you have for a spray gun? what is the color you want to spray?

 

[ClutchDisc]

@CarLuver I considered it, I also looked for used. Used was far away and would cost as much as getting a new one and painting it. The pre painted bumpers I was seeing were a lot more, over $300. Maybe I would have found a better deal if I had kept looking. As it was, I ended up getting this bumper for free because it had a small crack in the bottom and the company gave me a full refund including shipping. So now I am only out the paint.

@Trav It will just be aerosol cans. Thats the amount of my paint skills. I am going to be using Hyundai Apple Red Pearl (color code ND). From a calculator online it says 3 cans of the color paint and 3 cans of clear coat for a car bumper. Seems a little high to me, but I wouldn’t really know.

 

[nthach]

Do they still use flex additives on plastics?

For clear coat, yes. Base and primer coats don’t need it usually.

If it was me, I’d clean the bumper first with Dawn, and then with red Scotch-Brite with SEM Soap or similar abrasive cleaner. The paint brands have their own plastics prep systems. Some painters hate aftermarket bumpers and will strip them down to bare plastics and hit them with their choice of adhesion promoter and primer.

 

[Trav]

@CarLuver I considered it, I also looked for used. Used was far away and would cost as much as getting a new one and painting it. The pre painted bumpers I was seeing were a lot more, over $300. Maybe I would have found a better deal if I had kept looking. As it was, I ended up getting this bumper for free because it had a small crack in the bottom and the company gave me a full refund including shipping. So now I am only out the paint.

@Trav It will just be aerosol cans. Thats the amount of my paint skills. I am going to be using Hyundai Apple Red Pearl (color code ND). From a calculator online it says 3 cans of the color paint and 3 cans of clear coat for a car bumper. Seems a little high to me, but I wouldn’t really know.

I don't use rattle cans for much but they do not go that far, there are a lot of variables like the size of the part and how well the paint covers and the size of the can, if it covers well you may get away with 3 cans and 3 coats but if it is somewhat translucent you may need 4-6 coats. Buy more than less, spray light coats waiting 10 min between coats for the solvent to flash off. 3 cans of clear should do the job, put one light coat and 2 medium to wet coats.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Need pics of the finished product. Use light coats.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Thanks! Will order three cans of the paint and three cans of the clear coat. I will post pictures of the finished product!

 

[ClutchDisc]

Finally had time to pick this project back up. The weather is also in my favor with low 70s and no rain tomorrow. This evening I prepared the bumper with a Scotch-Brite pad and Scruff & Clean. It is now drying in my garage and tomorrow I will paint it.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Even if unsuccessful you'll have one of the best 2010 Elantras still on the road

 

[ryanschillinger]

Make sure you finish with a 2k clear or it won’t hold up well at all. Spraymax offers a quality 2k aerosol.

 

[zzyzzx]

The pre painted bumpers I was seeing were a lot more, over $300.
[/QUOTE]

Yeah, because it's worth it. Automotive painting is not for most people, even people here.

 

[ClutchDisc]

Update: Pictures of the final results. I used 3 cans of red and 4 cans of 2k clearcoat. I think it came out well for a DIY job. Thanks again for everyone who gave advice!