The front end on my Civic is low, and it scrapes on parking lot curbs, rain channels in the road, etc. I also hit a road divider curb (long story), causing further damage. Most of the damage wasn't visible without looking under the vehicle, but one section was, and it bugged me. I've babied this car since new, and I know every mark. Anyway, I decided to fix the damage and vowed to be more careful in the future.
After lifting the car, I washed the fascia and wiped it down with 3M adhesive remover. This is very similar to wax and grease remover, but stronger. Next was sanding the stuffed area with 80 grit on a sanding board. Then, another wipe down to degrease.
To fill the deep scratches, 3M/Bondo Bumper Repair was used. This stuff is a two-pack product that dries fast and stays flexible. Once cured, it was sanded down smooth using two stages of sandpaper, finishing with 220.
Priming was done with SEM Flexible Primer Surfacer (rattlecan). I don't typically like rattle can paint, and this stuff reinforced this thought; it sprayed dry and dusty, and attempting to get it to smooth out with heavier coats resulted in runs. Spraying any rattlecan when lying down, shooting upwards, is always a challenge, and this stuff certainly was. Once dry, I block sanded it back, finishing with gray scotchbrite.
The color coat sprayed well, and the color matched nicely too. R&E gets a thumbs-up from me!
Spraymax clear was next, and it also sprayed really nice. Another thumbs-up. I shot three coats, one more than the instructions called for, but I had extra paint so why not? I got a run on one side, again, it's hard shooting under the vehicle like I did, but a sanding block with 800 wet sandpaper, smoothed it out nicely (after 24 hours dry time). A little polish to restore the gloss and it's done!
Should have taken more photos, but you get the idea. Just a little project in my spare time. I love painting stuff...
![PXL_20260703_165501985[1].webp](https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/attachments/pxl_20260703_165501985-1-webp.346584/ "PXL_20260703_165501985[1].webp")
After lifting the car, I washed the fascia and wiped it down with 3M adhesive remover. This is very similar to wax and grease remover, but stronger. Next was sanding the stuffed area with 80 grit on a sanding board. Then, another wipe down to degrease.
To fill the deep scratches, 3M/Bondo Bumper Repair was used. This stuff is a two-pack product that dries fast and stays flexible. Once cured, it was sanded down smooth using two stages of sandpaper, finishing with 220.
Priming was done with SEM Flexible Primer Surfacer (rattlecan). I don't typically like rattle can paint, and this stuff reinforced this thought; it sprayed dry and dusty, and attempting to get it to smooth out with heavier coats resulted in runs. Spraying any rattlecan when lying down, shooting upwards, is always a challenge, and this stuff certainly was. Once dry, I block sanded it back, finishing with gray scotchbrite.
The color coat sprayed well, and the color matched nicely too. R&E gets a thumbs-up from me!
Spraymax clear was next, and it also sprayed really nice. Another thumbs-up. I shot three coats, one more than the instructions called for, but I had extra paint so why not? I got a run on one side, again, it's hard shooting under the vehicle like I did, but a sanding block with 800 wet sandpaper, smoothed it out nicely (after 24 hours dry time). A little polish to restore the gloss and it's done!
Should have taken more photos, but you get the idea. Just a little project in my spare time. I love painting stuff...
