How to: Repair a scratched bumper

[-RJ3-]

Things you need:
-400 grit wet sandpaper and sanding block (3M)
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11418493735.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5311064)
-Bucket of water
-Paint masking tape [Any masking tape will do as long as its not hard to remove]
-Newspaper
-Patience.
-Acetone (Automotive acetone.. Yess there is such thing)
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11418494097.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5311066)
-Flex Primer (Motormaster from crappy tire)
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11418493826.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5311065)
-Stock Paint (I got mine at Carquest.. In my case 24E) Sorry no pic..
-Clear coat. (Motormaster from crappy tire)
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11418494019.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5311067)
-Heres the handle
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11418494248.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5311068)

1st thing... you need to assess the damage of the scratch...
-Use a sanding block and submerge in water for at least 10 minutes.
-Once damp start scuffing the bumper... Making sure that you keep the sandpaper wet buff until you feel the surface smooth...If you have buffed it to far you will notice the paint going away, and in my case... The Polyeurathane bumper.. As shown..

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016200383.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276846)

Keep sanding until the edges feel smooth, and there is no rough spots. You will notice whitish areas around the sanded area...thats when you know you are close to getting a smooth surface

Now here comes the fun part....
Cleaning the bumper...... Make sure you cover the entire car incase of overspraying.. or if your lazy cover just the area you want to paint... I'm just being cautious so my ride looks like a rolling piniata!!! haha

-Rub the sanded area with acetone and rub gently to the whole bumper...
It only takes 2-3 coats in 5 minute intervals..

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016200594.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276849)

Once completed, Use a spary can of flex primer.. The secret is to go to crappy tire and by the hand gun that fits on the spray can... It will provide an even spray across the bumper..

after the 1-2 coat:

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016200550.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276850)

after the 3-4 coat:
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016200613.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276852)

after the 4-5 coat:
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016200728.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276854)

It took me 4-5 coats to finally get rid of the black areas...
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016200876.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276856)

ITS GONE!!!! (Thats my reflection hahah blue sweater)
http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016200971.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276858)

A bit of overspray but thats what happens when you think paint is dry!!! Easy to fix..

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016200983.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276859)
No more scratches!!!

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016201395.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276866)

-Now do the same procedure for clearcoat...
Just a few coats and wait for 1 hour... Let it dry for at least a day or so and you done

Looks close to the lip's colour!!!

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016201452.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276868)

http://img1.putfile.com/thumb/4/11016201418.jpg (http://www.putfile.com/pic.php?img=5276869)

Thanks for visiting!!!

[CoolColombian]

Nice write up man, I'm sure this will help a lot of people and save them a couple hundreds and just on time for me, the lower part of my bumper is scratch as hell. Thanks Ryan!

[queens49]

What is this hand gun that fits over the spray can that you mention in your instructions?

[bluntman]

http://www.walterawood.com/images/mro/mro_main.jpg
Maybe?

[-RJ3-]

sorry i didnt supply pics of the products, but I will take some tommorow... Bluntman, is correct that is the handle I used.

So useful for this job!!!

[ArManI]

does it applied to cracked bumper? :( mine isnt scratched but cracked.. going for an estimation tomorrow~

from ur first picture... did u applied anything to the lip yet? the black color showed the scratched part?
did u sand-it to spread the scratched area/ take off more paint to make it smooth on overall area?

can u also post a picture of every item that you worked with and together with where to get it from?
from your list i only know the bucket of water , patience and newspaper, that is how noob i am.. :)

required a picture of product and where to buy them, appreciate a lot!
-400 grit wet sandpaper and sanding block (3M)
-Paint masking tape
-Acetone (Automotive acetone.. Yess there is such thing)
-Flex Primer (Motormaster from crappy tire)
-Stock Paint (I got mine at Carquest.. In my case 24E)
-the handle for the paint... where to get it? is it very important to have it ?
for the paint, just go to those shope and give my color code and they gonna give me a cane of paint?

[-RJ3-]

Edited... Btw, it is importand to have the handle.. It will cause the nozzle to spray evenly when you do the coats.

[queens49]

Edited... Btw, it is importand to have the handle.. It will cause the nozzle to spray evenly when you do the coats.

So with that handle, do you take off the existing nozzle that comes with the can and put this thing on top?
It's not car related, but I'm building my own power amplifier and have an enclosure that I am going to paint and I want to make it as smooth/beautiful as possible. I've never seen that handle you used before, but if it helps in making the paint job as smooth as possible, I want to get it. The job you did looks amazing, so I plan on doing what you did.

[-RJ3-]

Hi Queens, the perfect example is Bluntmans pic.. It shows the handle is just an attachment for the can... No need for removing the nozzle because the handle has a trigger that presses the nozzle down for you all you do is get the paint gun trigger apply it on the ring of the can, twist the lock to hold it down the attachment to the can, and spray away.. Kind of like a water gun... except you dont need to apply pressure just a light squeeze and the paint comes out in an even spray.... I would suggest you to test it on a dud before you try it on the real thing.... I learned that without prep work the paint won't stick, unless your surface is wood.
I see you want to do an enclosure.. I would suggest to sand it down and depending on what type of surface, use a paint sticking product (primer, flex primer)

Thanks.

[Caz]

Great write up!

[-RJ3-]

One thing I cannot stress enough... And I found out the hardway...

Clearcoating after painting your surface is a must... I only did 3 coats,and I think I should have put more...

Just noticed before heading to cambridge:
Someone put a black piece of material (plastic) near my bumper last week in the garage and marked it... I cant take it off. If I clear coated it more it could have rubbed off easily... Im gonna try goo gone and see if I can remove it.

[argos]

any other places to find matched paint for my car?
TiGrey sedan (29y)

[vblanche]

nice, very nice...

can this approach be used for curb rash (on wheel)?

thanks

[-RJ3-]

any other places to find matched paint for my car?
TiGrey sedan (29y)
Argos, There should be other shops that have this paint... I used carquest since its close to work and matches close to perfect.


nice, very nice...

can this approach be used for curb rash (on wheel)?

thanks
Vblanche, never tried it on a curb rash, however its gonna take a longer time to fix it... I think BETRHNU had a right up on how he painted his wheels, but repaired a bit of rash on his wheels as well.

Thanks for the comments!!!

[1flycdnM3]

any other places to find matched paint for my car?
TiGrey sedan (29y)

I only found CarQuest and Napa (select stores) that can mix paint for you. I just got some more today at Napa in Hamilton ($23.67) and re-painting my grille.

great write-up Ryan, I will definately be purchasing that gun :)

[Skarbro]

Bringing this back up...

RJ3 - How is the paint holding up? How is the resistance to stone chips?

I'm wondering if this will be just as effective on a fibreglass lip?

And where can I get that handle? I can't find it on CDN Tire's website.

[nicker]

If you go to any auto paint stores they sell those handles and they are nice, as stated, they give you nice even coats and the handle also makes it easier to apply the nice even coats.

Good write up, I am curious too as to how the paint is holding out.

[Gizzmo_jr]

http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/products/images/HouseHome/Paint/PaintingToolsAccessories/0480300_450_CC_625b3.jpg

Canadian Tire Product# 48-0300-4 (http://www.canadiantire.ca/browse/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=84552444329 5281&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1408474396672821&bmUID=1191423826653)

Paint Section (house and home)

[Skarbro]

Noice!

[-RJ3-]

Update:

Well you do get the minor stone chips but who doesnt =) The paint still looks great and I'd say worth doing than having an autoshop do it.... Its a hobby, And next spring I'm re-painting the whole lip kit.

And yes Canadian Tire is where I got my handle.

[1flycdnM3]

yup I got mine last weekend too, same one Gizzmo_jr posted... it was all paid for in CT money too... under $5!

I would agree too, it's less than paying for a shop to do it and holds up really well :)

[nicker]

there you be, go to Crappy Tire and get it for under $5.00 much cheaper then the major paint stores will sell them for.

I agree why not do it your self if you can. Gives you that sense of pride! When I get my new lip and maybe grill I may try to paint them. Save some good coin.

[rsquared]

RJ3, thanks for posting! Does the clearcoat have to be applied immediately after your final coat dries, or can it wait for the day after? Also, did your paint job fade/blend in more after a few days, or does it still look the same as it did after you finished the job?

[-RJ3-]

The paint should be dry before applying the clearcoat.... Make sure you apply clearcoat within hours..... dont apply clearcoat if the section still seems tender.... Clearcoat hardens.... And it is recommended to keep dry for 24 hrs after coats... The colour looks a bit darker after clear coat, but not that much of a difference.... Compared to Carquest and NAPA paint... Napa paint is the best paint for matching paint.

Thanks!!

[theurgy]

This is a great fix for spots and such when you don't want to pay for a shop to do it... but keep in mind where it is and if you ever get your car detailed.. be sure to tell your detailer where the painted spot is.
Regardless of your attention to detail this is not like a professional baked-on paint. When it comes time to polish and cut using compounds and such, they will come off and and react differently than your stock paint.

Just an FYI.

[crazycanuck]

I guess it's even stupid or me to ask whether I can use this method to paint a shark fin or eyelids.

[-RJ3-]

No question is stupid....

I wouldn't see why not, the shark fin though, might be challenging because of its curves, but it is do-able.

KEY!!! Spray can gun handle

[crazycanuck]

and you mentioned the paint costs around $25 at carquest correct?

[-RJ3-]

and you mentioned the paint costs around $25 at carquest correct?


Yes, but Napa is much quicker to get the paint done, and it matches better than carquest.

[sunnyhomeboy]

but if there is a scratch to the metal part of the car...this wouldn't apply?

[-RJ3-]

i dont think so never tried on metal

[KenYork]

Just be careful with spray paint. Too many layers of colour paint causes colour change, either too dark or too light from actual desired colour. You'll also need lots of layers of clearcoat, I recommend at least 10. Final, be patient and let each coat dry for it's required 20-30mins before applying another coat.

[eman124]

i went to bought a spray can of 22V (sunlight silver) from carquest (18$ only)
kitchener, waterloo area.
sanded it down, put normal primer (not flex)
then sprayed about 4 layers of paint
then about 4-5 layers of clearcoat (couldn't find motomaster, bought dupri-colour)

then after like 2-3 hours
I took off the tape and the paper that was protecting the unpainted areas
compared it with the painted area
it has MAJOR difference in terms of colour
the silver is much darker, it's like greyish silver

did i miss something? could it be the primer? or did I spray too many layer, too close?
I used the big nozzle that came with the carquest spray can.
any suggestions? I am planning to do it again
would spraying more layers of colour make it darker?

[2hit6]

Great Write-Up... I used the same method and actually got the idea off this forum!!! Keep up the good work!!!

[M3-ZOOM]

bringing back an old thread... can the pics be seen again?

[-RJ3-]

bringing back an old thread... can the pics be seen again?

Hmmm Interestingly enough, Putfile is not online anymore... I think the pictures went away with it.

Whenever I have time I can try to see if I have this saved elsewhere.

Thanks for the heads up.

[M3-ZOOM]

thanks btw does your method work for a scratch on the hatch door?

[Atomic]

Can we have the pictures back plz ... it's gonna be helpful ... I want to do something like that on my front bumper

[-RJ3-]

Unfortunately I tried to look at my past pictures.. I cant seem to find them.. Putfile is no longer a photo host site... Its changed and along with all my pictures...

[Atomic]

hhhaaaaaaaaaaa :(

So I can just follow the text ... DAMN. If you can it will be great if you can take another pics for the thread it would be helpful.

thx

[lil_zoom3]

I forgot the most important thing, a bad clothes, to work and you are comfortable, you will not damage anything in :p
thanks

[oni]

ohhh..nice thread. So I guess there's no chance in recovering those pics right?

[-RJ3-]

sorry man, its long gone... ever since imagestation dissapeared.

[07carbon3]

is 400 grit paper what i would want to use on unpainted eyelids?

should i start with 400grit or start abit lower on the grille i got from you?

you think napa does a better then carquest? i need 28B carbon grey i hope is not hard to match

[Booter22]

lol you could have pmd him to save bringing back a 3 year old thread from the dead :P

[07carbon3]

lol you could have pmd him to save bringing back a 3 year old thread from the dead :P

i could have started a new thread and got told to use the search button lmao :chuckle

[Booter22]

fair enough..

[07carbon3]

1. do you wet sand inbetween coats of flex primer
2. do you wet sand between primer and basecoat/between basecoat and basecoat
3. do wet sand between basecoat and clearcoat
4. what grit is good to sand after clear coat 1000 or higher

sorry for all the questions lol