It will be problematic to paint the bumper yourself without experience. In addition, the essential premises, items for work, and the ability to choose the right shade of paint must be available.

To cost a plastic bumper, you will want to purchase a primer, particularly for plastic. If this is an old bumper, you also need a putty for plastic, a sander, sandpaper circles, and a spray gun. If you possess all of the above and are determined to paint the bumper yourself, you need to determine the process’s sequence of steps and nuances. And it doesn’t matter if you paint a particular place or a plastic bumper.

The necessary materials and items for painting the bumper:

  • Degreasing agent (after each grinding stage), it is better to buy something explicitly intended for plastic surfaces and a little more napkins.
  • A primer for plastic surfaces, or as it is also called – a primer (200 grams).
  • Sandpaper for grouting is needed both before priming and after priming the bumper, before painting (requires P180, P220, P500, P800).
  • Correctly installed paint gun selected paint (300 grams) and, finally, varnish. If you do not have a spray gun, you can do all the necessary processes with a spray can, but you can only execute the whole painting process with a spray in certain places of the bumper.

When starting painting, remember to have all the guarding equipment to ensure your safety.

Self-painting the bumper. Step-by-step instruction

First, let’s decide what to do. That is, we set the amount of work to be done based on the state of the bumper. Is it a new bumper or an old one required to restore its original appearance? Is it necessary to repair the bumper or start painting right away? Because depending on the type and upcoming work, the process of painting the bumper will have its amendments and, most likely, will differ slightly. But, in any case, it is necessary to wash the bumper well and do the treatment with a degreasing agent.

We paint a brand new bumper:

  • First, you need to wipe the bumper with P800 sandpaper to eliminate particles of transport oil and minor scratches, then degrease the part.
  • Then we prime with a two-component acrylic primer. The priming of the bumper is done in 2 layers (the second is applied when the first layer dries, it must be matte).
  • Then we do the grout or, as they say, wash the soil with a P500-P800 skin for good adherence of the base paint layer to the plastic (often you can not pass it, but lightly rub it dry with sandpaper, then blow it off).
  • Drive with liquefied wind and treat the exterior before applying the base coat of paint.
  • Then apply the base 15 minutes apart, followed by two more coats of paint.
  • If there are no defects and jambs, apply varnish to give a gloss to the painted bumper.

For the correct painting of the bumper, it is necessary to do all the work in a clean, warm room so that there are no drafts because dust particles will spoil all the work, and you will not be able to do it without polishing.

Repair and painting of an old bumper

Repairing and painting an old bumper differ slightly from the first prospect. In addition to the fact that certain places will need to be processed with putty for plastic, an additional step will be eliminating defects, possibly plastic soldering.

The process of painting the old bumper:

  • It is necessary to wash the part well and then clean the top layer with a P180 skin, removing the paint layer before the primer.
  • Blow out with liquefied air, treat with anti-silicone.
  • The next step is to level out all the irregularities with a putty (it is good to use a special putty on plastic parts). As it dries, we immediately rub it with a P180 skin, inspect any minor flaws, process it with a final putty, and rub it with P220 sandpaper to obtain a perfectly smooth surface. Between layers of putty, without fail, you need to sand, blow and treat with a degreaser.
  • Then we prime the bumper with a one-component quick-drying primer, not only the areas that have been sanded and putty but also those where there is old paint.
  • The next step is to make a matte putty with 500 skins after applying two layers.
  • Degrease the top layer.
  • Start painting the bumper.

Colouring nuances that one must take into account:

  • We proceed to work only on a well-washed and clean bumper.
  • When degreasing the bumper, you need to use two types of wipes (wet and dry).
  • When you paint an Asian-made bumper yourself, it should be well degreased and wiped off.
  • No need to use a hairdryer or other heating devices to dry the surface.
  • If you work with an acrylic varnish, you must follow the rules that come with it, so before work, you should familiarize yourself with the contents of the instructions for using putty, primer and paint, too.
  • If smudges and shagreens are formed during staining, you need to sand on wet waterproof skin and polish the required place.

While you are at it, make sure to check your tyres. Unfortunately, most people often overlook tyres even though they play a significant role in passengers safety and a smooth driving experience.

Ensure to equip your vehicle with the best car tyre brand available in your region.

As you can see, self-painting a bumper with the right technology is not as easy as it might seem at first glance. Since not every car owner has a compressor, a painted panel and the necessary garage space available. But, if you are not very demanding, then in a simple garage, purchasing a can of paint and a primer, anyone can paint a specific place on the bumper.