Token

With 80 grit, I began sanding in class. I discovered very quickly that there were SIX layers of paint on that nose. Six fracking layers of paint? Why the hell did someone put six layers? The top most layer was flaking off like nothing- and you could literally pull it off and the underlying paint was still shiny... Someone didn't scuff!!! No wonder it looked like crap.

But anyway, I'm down to bare plastic in the majority of the nose, and there are no cracks although I bumped a tree a few winters ago. You could see the spider cracking through all six layers of paint, down to the factory "primer" over top of the bumper (if you could even call it that). I'm going to hit it with 150 today and feather it out, get at least 3/4 of that paint outta there even on the undamaged areas. My teacher advised me to take it down to the bare plastic in the damaged area, however also mentioned that the paint looks fine in other areas that it won't hurt anything to leave it in non-stress areas.

I'll be painting the cover off the car, so a blend is not possible. I don't think my odds are really good at color matching, but in the unlikely even that I do, that just means I'm cool.

1985WS6transam

iTrader: (4)

I want to do this too, but have no experiance and no teacher to guide me along. tell me how yours comes out. what paint are you using? are you even gunna try and match it? Dennis

Token

It's IMPOSSIBLE to match paint off the car. You can't just paint parts and put em on without blending. You just can't. Not only are there so many variances, but it's not possible to accurately account for weathering, fading, or mixing errors. It's not going to be like night and day off, but in the right light you'll see two different colors. Even an untrained eye can see this in some cases.

But anyway I'll be using PPG's K36 high fill primer, DBC basecoat with 2021 clear. Total cost of supplies including sandpaper, reducer, and plastic repair for the broken mounting tabs, will be about $200. This is including the two little side gfx that angle against the bumper and the fender. I get a student discount, however, so you might be looking at a little bit more money if you are doing a similar thing out of pocket.

It's very easy to do all of this. If your current paint is fine and not flaking off, you can get away with just scuffing the hell out of it with soem 150-220 grit, but if you need to take some paint off I was using a DA with 80 grit for my 4-6 layers. Inside the nose where the fog lights and turn signals go is a PITA to get to, so you're going to have to sand with a tiny piece of paper and your finger to catch all of the curves. Be incredibly careful with a DA on body lines, especially if you're going as low as 80 grit.

I can help you more when you need it

1985WS6transam

iTrader: (4)

Thanks I appriciate that. my car right now is in my automotvie class so when it gets home I will be working on that b/c the person before me had a bra on it and hit something so the paint is horrible in the front bumper.

jay92,85,79

iTrader: (1)

My camaro bumper had 8 on it. I send them out and get them blasted. It cost like 75/ 80 bucks. U can spend that very fast in sand paper. And My time is worth money so comes out alot cheaper than me sitting there with a DA. And u can match paint with out blending it. U have to know what u are doing but u can. There called test panals. Black car u don't have to blend. Pearls and candys. U have to blend. But for your basic colors u can get away with matching.For your tabs on the bumper u should plastic weld the first than use the glue.That way u don't have to sit there for 15 20 mins trying to hold that tab in place.

Token

There's no way around it, matching is not sufficient. A blend is completely necessary.

Token

tuesday I primed my bumper with K36 (with DCX814 flex) and wednesday I wetsanded it with 400 then 600. Took over 3 hours and I half-assed it. I'm going to finish it up later today (technically since its so late) and then seal, paint, and clear it. Hopefully I can bake it and buff it.

Token

Well no go on the painting today, some jerks stole my paint booth

But I mixed up my color and finished wetsanding the bumper

Token

Token

Well I painted it today. I am satisfied with the results however I ran the clear in a few areas. That damn thing is so curvy, I was putting on way too much to take care of the dry spray. I should have jsut left it. The gfx both got sags in the process, and there's one big one on the bumper itself. I'll straighten them out with sandpaper later on. I used K36 as a wet-on-wet sealer (4:2:2:1 with 2021 clear, no tints) and then sprayed 3 coats of color. I used about half a pint of color to get this.

sellmanb

sexy

oh, the nose looks good too

Token

haha thanks a lot man, I put a lot of friggin effort into this, so it better look good on the car! lol

sellmanb

I'm sure it will... assuming you paint the rest of the car the same color if it isnt already

That looks very metallic. You didnt use metallic flakes though it looks like. What gives it that metallic look? I am very curious since I want to give the color I'm going to paint my car that sort of metallic "new factory" look.

Token

it's all pearls man About 6 grams total (in the pint i mixed up- I still have about 1/3 of it left).

The car is the same color, lets hope I've got a close enough match!!

Token

sellmanb

That thing SHINES! Turned out great, good job man!

When will we get to see it on the car?

davecamaro

wow!
can u rent paint stations in the states?
great job btw

firebirdjosh

iTrader: (1)

I believe he's a student. Although I'm sure if you find the right place they'd rent it out. I know a guy that works at a machinery shop and let me use the paint booth afterhours.

Jgolden314

Token- Are you a Student at WCC? IF so, I am too. I am not in the auto program though, but my friend is.