My First Bumper Paint Job

[Chaznsc]

Daughter has a Toyo Matrix and someone bumped into the back of her and messed up the bumper (cosmetically) so I thought I'd try to repaint it.

Was so worried about matching the paint color since its a metallic mix. Bought the paint from http://www.automotivetouchup.com/ and GLAD I did. The paint was a perfect match. I ordered rattle cans since I don't have a paint system yet. Their spray cans are miles from Krylon or Rustoleum, just a smoother delivery. I even ordered one of those handle grips for the can and it made a real difference since my hand wasn't weary from holding down the button.

I can highly recommend http://www.automotivetouchup.com for auto paints. Anyone who can match this metal flake in this color can do anything. It went on flawlessly.

• Worked over the scratches, sanding, priming, sanding.
• Used some Bondo Flexible Scratch Sealer - wasnt real happy with the product. But I gut it smooth.
• Final prime - painted several coats, then gloss coats.
• Wet sanded the gloss and polished it with a polish cream.
• Came out like new. Well, not new, but not too bad!

 

[porschedude996TT]

Looks good. It's great when something comes together like it should.

 

[Chaznsc]

Looks good. It's great when something comes together like it should.

And for me, rare. I was blown away with the paint color match. Everything arrived in under a week and its high quality stuff.

 

[cowboy73]

That turned out nice! Hard to believe that is a rattle can job.

 

[rambo19]

Ive had good results with rattle cans.
Looks good fella.

 

[dclassical]

That is excellent to know, that you very much for posting this. I am heading over there!

 

[JakeKohl]

Cool stuff - I didn't know you could get that in a can like that. I have a couple of door dings that are driving me nuts that got through the base coat color and need to be touched up....and that stuff is not that expensive either. thanks for sharing!

 

[Warrenator]

Did you top it with a clear coat? Might make it last longer..... I haven't tried any on the new automotive clear coats in a spray can, just curious.

Looks very nice. Maybe i will touch up the massive scratches in the plastic cladding of my Dad's Dodge Magnum. (He's 83, the windows are tinted, hard to see out of that car especially backing up)

 

[Chaznsc]

They sell paint in cans, paint in spray cans, paint pens, paint touch up bottles, and anything else you need to paint. The prices are really reasonable and they shipped mine quick. The rattle can sprayer is different from a typical spray can. Its more linear or something rather than circular. Its very smooth delivery and I never made a single run.

 

[Chaznsc]

Did you top it with a clear coat? Might make it last longer..... I haven't tried any on the new automotive clear coats in a spray can, just curious.

Yes, I topped it with clear coat.

 

[marty_p]

Chaznsc,

Great work!!!

May I ask what was the cost of the rattle can(s) delivered to you?

 

[Chaznsc]

Chaznsc,

Great work!!!

May I ask what was the cost of the rattle can(s) delivered to you? And do you just need all your vehicle make, model, and paint code when ordering?

I ordered a LOT of stuff, some for another car (6 cans total). My shipping was like 14 bucks and the paint was like 8 bucks a can. All you need is the year, model, and I had the paint code number just for protection.

 

[Megadodo]

With patience you can do a good job with rattle cans. This car has it's 2 front wings, bumper, front panel and bonnet (hood) all done with rattle cans. Up close you can see I made some errors but with practice I'm sure I could have done an almost acceptable job! Much cheaper than writing the car off post accident! Needs another couple of clear coats.

 

[cowboy73]

Megadodo, that BMW looks pretty damn awesome for a rattle can job! I've seen professional body shops turn work out that didn't look that good.

 

[Krash Kadillak]

Thanks for the post. My Safari needs a new rear bumper filler, so I think I'll try their paint. You did an excellent job of 'blending' in with the rest of the bumper - or did you shoot the entire cover?

It should also be noted that you didn't have to take the cover off the vehicle. For a lot of bumper cover repairs you will have to do this.

 

[Chaznsc]

Thanks for the post. My Safari needs a new rear bumper filler, so I think I'll try their paint. You did an excellent job of 'blending' in with the rest of the bumper - or did you shoot the entire cover?

It should also be noted that you didn't have to take the cover off the vehicle. For a lot of bumper cover repairs you will have to do this.

I sprayed from end to end, stopping where the bumper curves towards the front of the car. Sanded off the over-spray and I was set.

I learned a lot and would like to try it again sometime. I'm redoing my mustang front bumper but its a simple white and probably wont be as time consuming as I have no bodywork to accomplish.

 

[K13]

Nice work!!

Just a word of caution don't expect all color matches to be that good. Most automotive colors these days have a number of variances that cannot be matched with just the paint code. One code can have as many as 12 or 13 different variances that can range from subtle differences to shades that look like completely different colors. Without having the car there to compare to a variance book it is pretty hit and miss getting a matching color.

 

[yucholian]

This is so true.
Most of the autobody paint shops can mix you a paint in a rattle can.
My local shop said they started with the paint code, than take the sample variation chips and matches directly with the subject vehicle to get the right shading, although the cost was $18 a can. I don't know how the OP got his cans so cheap.

Nice work!!

Just a word of caution don't expect all color matches to be that good. Most automotive colors these days have a number of variances that cannot be matched with just the paint code. One code can have as many as 12 or 13 different variances that can range from subtle differences to shades that look like completely different colors. Without having the car there to compare to a variance book it is pretty hit and miss getting a matching color.

 

[Chaznsc]

This is so true.
I don't know how the OP got his cans so cheap.

I just clicked "add to cart".

 

[Worldpowerlabs]

I've used their paint -- the color match is excellent for some vehicles, but for one of mine, it's nowhere close. There are no variants for that particular color; their formula was just the wrong tint. However, I've noticed that the exact same color code may be different shades depending on whether it was mixed from PPG or DuPont components. I really like DuPont Chromabase, but it's not always as close a match for me as PPG.

The only caution I have about rattle cans like this is that the clearcoat is often still a lacquer, and I've never had any luck getting in invisible edge when not clearing an entire surface -- even using blenders. Some vendors do sell a 2-part urethane clearcoat in a rattle can (you press a button on the bottom to release the activator; once activated, you have a certain number of hours to use the can).

Have to say, you did nice work there!

 

[liquidcougar]

Looks great! Nice job!

Personally, I swear by spray cans for small/medium jobs. Like others have said, as long as you take your time and do it right, they will deliver exceptional quality finishes.

 

[91FE]

I just clicked "add to cart".

Yea, me too... but they're coming in at $20/ea. (2010 Honda Pilot).

Nice work BTW. Your post is making me believe I might be able to save a couple of bucks and do my rear bumper too. I was going to get a painted replacement on ebay, but maybe I'll just get a primered one instead.

 

[mayday0017]

Would totally buy a painted replacement before doing rattle cans... The paint job does look good but how long will it last before it starts peeling or blistering. If you know it is just a cheap fix to make it look better for a year or 2 then it is a good option. If you are expecting it to hold up and last it is not a good choice. Sorry I hate to be a negative nancy but I don't want somene to think they can save a bunch of money and end up with a good enough paint job that will look the same for years to come. Also the clear will be softer which is another reason I would stay away from it on that front bumper... Just my 2 cents... (Fyi you can get Nason brand mixed local and is most likely compairable in price and buy a HF gun and will have a better paint job tht will last just need a medium sized compressor and a desire to do good)

 

[JakeKohl]

Would totally buy a painted replacement before doing rattle cans... The paint job does look good but how long will it last before it starts peeling or blistering. If you know it is just a cheap fix to make it look better for a year or 2 then it is a good option. If you are expecting it to hold up and last it is not a good choice. Sorry I hate to be a negative nancy but I don't want somene to think they can save a bunch of money and end up with a good enough paint job that will look the same for years to come. Also the clear will be softer which is another reason I would stay away from it on that front bumper... Just my 2 cents... (Fyi you can get Nason brand mixed local and is most likely compairable in price and buy a HF gun and will have a better paint job tht will last just need a medium sized compressor and a desire to do good)

These guys are clearly mixing and canning the paint to order - they may be using good stuff.

 

[K13]

These guys are clearly mixing and canning the paint to order - they may be using good stuff.

The problem with longevity/durability is not the color coat it is the clear and a 1K clear is never going to last as long or give the same UV protection that a catalyzed clear will.

 

[S1nned]

Funny you posted this. I saw a comment about them a month or so ago, here:
The Corral
I read that post and ordered my S281 wing after reading it, figuring I can try it, and see if I like it.
You've convinced me to try it.....
Thanks!