Bumper refinishing

[Tom Nas]

Eyvind Spangen <eyvind.spangen at c2i.net> wrote:

>I need to fix up the bumpers on my '87 5k. After getting tired of the
>old Euro bumpers not fitting correctly etc., I got my hands on a set
>of US bumpers. They have no cracks and look OK, but the paint is
>heavily scratched, some small marks in the plastic, and last but not
>least - the PO painted the whole bumper. I think I'll repaint the part
>that orginally was black, black, and the rest body color.
>My car is a metallic paint (Y5V), is it possible to do the paint job
>myself (using a professional spray gun), or should I get a pro to do
>the painting? I'll try refinishing myself, any tips on how to do this
>on the plastic bumpers?

First, you'll need to eliminate all chips by filling in or sanding down to 
prevent 'ridges' around the chips after painting. Next, if there's any 
unpainted plastic in evidence you'll need a 'key' primer, any plastics 
primer will do.
Yes, as bumpers aren't that critical a surface (that is, unless you own a 
late-model Audi with the smooth bumpers) you can paint them yourself. I've 
done an excellent job using spray cans, even better using a spray gun. 
Bumpers are hard plastic, they don't flex as much as a rear spoiler does.
Downside is that bumpers are in constant spray from all kinds of debris and 
take a beating as a consequence. The non-baked home-painted surfaces are a 
little less resistant to this, though a clearcoat would improve matters. On 
the whole, I'd leave it to the pros if the roads around where you live are 
less than perfect.

HTH,

Tom