Bumper Paint Job

[kornboy89]

Hi, I was wanting to paint my front and rear bumpers to match the color of my PT, and was wondering if there is anything special i need to do. or can i just go to a paint shop and have them paint it.

thx

[CREWZIN]

Kornboy, I was waiting for someone with more experience than me to answer you but nobody stepped up to the plate. I haven't had mine painted yet but went through the motions to have it done but then chickened out. I've seen the results of a bad job, with the paint peeling off and I had second thoughts. What a lot of people have done is ordered the front and rear covers for the bumpers and had them painted to match. The covers come almost ready to paint and need very little prep by the body shop, whereas the OEM bumpers need lots of prep work. A mixture of flex agent added to the paint will let the bumper twist without cracking the paint. Use a good body shop. I've seen prices on these forums range from $300 to over $500 plus the cost of the bumper covers themselves.

[WUWU20]

Sup kornboy89...I hope this will help, I'm the bodyshop foreman at a dealership that sales 4 makes, one being Chrysler and have been in the field for 20 years now, the problem with painting rubber bumpers is in 2 deals, 1 being prep, 2 being in flex, find a paint jobber near where you live that sales say, PPG (thats what we use), Dupont, RM, Siekens, as such, its better that it be a good brand name product, but anyway ask the jobber for a good shop to have the work done and they should point you in the right direction. PPG makes a DP sealer that the part needs to be sealed with for adhesion to the gray part of your cover, theres no problem with the painted part, its the none painted gray part thats dempilled, then it'll need primer to fill in the dempilled places because the finish won't be smooth in that area if its not primed and sanded first.........the trick to the DP sealer is this, they make 2 different harderns for the DP sealer, 402 and 401, if you use 402, it won't bite, you must use 401, sound like a bit much, it is, but it can be done and it can work, just find ya a good shop and you'll be fine.....James (sorry for the bad spelling)<img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

[kornboy89]

thanks for all the info, I decided to buy the front bumper cover and a rear rollpan to replace the rear bumper. i ll get those painted and put on.

[CRUZIN NW]

kornboy89..I too am a painter, and if you havn't already ordered your parts, you might reconsider painting your front bumper instead of going with the cover, which you'll also have to paint. The front bumper can be painted succesfully as long as the correct primers, sealers and flex agents are used as WUWU20 mentioned. Getting them smooth requires only slightly more time than anything else to prep. You might even be able to pay for a good portion of the rear rolled pan with the savings.

[kornboy89]

Yeah I already ordered the front cover bumper and i am probably gonna replace the rear with rollpan. Sometime this week i should recieve both and maybe get them painted next week. Any of you painter guys from Phoenix, AZ? i need a good deal.

[CRUZIN NW]

As with anything, Kornboy89..don't just go for the best deal..sometimes you'll pay more in the long run if you do. Go to someone reputable, and who will do it correctly the first time. It might cost more initially..but quality work speaks volumes over slip-shod cheapies, any day. Check around while you're waiting for your parts, and ask how they would do it as well as how much they'll charge. You'll be glad you did.



Edited by - cruzin nw on 04/18/2002 14:22:44

[SmittysPT]

quote:
As with anything, Kornboy89..don't just go for the best deal..sometimes you'll pay more in the long run if you do.

MY DADDY ONCE SAID
"Quality is like buying oats.
If you want nice clean oats,
You will have to pay the price.
If you want something that has
already gone through the horse,
THAT COMES CHEAPER" <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Come Cruise The Colorado Rockies Aug 9-11
co.ptcruiserclub.org/colorado

Smittys PT
Web Designer for
Colorado PT Cruiser Club
Member of PTCC,PTOC,PTE,CPTCC

[WUWU20]

LOLOL...your daddy is a WISE man!!...hehehe be cool, James