Painting Front Bumper

[Golf8vGti]

Hi all

Just wondering if someone could either point me to a detailed guide or actually explain the process of spraying up a front bumper? Im only practicing and trying to teach myself basically and was hoping someone could help?

Its a mk2 big bumper in tornado red ive got aluminium oxide paper in 40, 60 and 80 grade and then wet and dry in 240, 400, 800 and 1200.

Can i use halfords primer? Im going to get the paint in a rattle can from VW so i get a good paint match.

Cheers all
J

[rich mk3]

you will need a certain type of paint to suit the plastic as it need the correct addhesive and flexablity.
Best bet is a auto paint shop.
Then paint, sand paint, sand etc till smooth

[Martz]

Why not have a chat with hardcore?

[Agreeable Slick]

You can use a plastic primer, but if you want the textured bits to be smooth then a filler primer will be needed.

[Golf8vGti]

Cheers for all the replys peeps think i may have to have a word with hardcore as he's probably gona have the best idea.

[roy8846]

Hi mate just got some big bumpers and sprayed em to a nice finish (i used to spray for renault)
1.Mine were a bright Blue , as they were already painted I just flatted them with 800 paper (you will need a lower grade if there are deeper scratches).
2.Next cleaned them down (very important and make sure they are dry before painting)
3.Then applied 4 coats of tornado red , took a while to cover the blue (spray using even strokes , try to keep moving and dont spray over the same place twice on the same coat) btw always spray indoors if poss make sure its warm  .
4.Once you have a nice shiny finish time for the laquer (if you got runs etc allow paint to thoroughly dry before flatting thenrepeating spraying again). Apply 2-3 coats of laquer (again nice even strokes)
Enjoy! If you do use primer , always use plastic primer as its more flexible.
BTW The Halfords cans of spray are a great match (for me at least) , and you can always have your exact colour mixed there in spray cans 
Hope this has been some help

[Golf8vGti]

Thats very helpful mate, sorry to sound stupid though but is that 800 wet and dry paper and did you use that wet?

[roy8846]

Yes wet and dry 800 , first i used it dry on the bigger scratches to smooth them out . then all over wet to make the paint stick and smooth everywhere out  , i'll post pics when i can get my camera back , they turned out really nice , even if you get a few flat not so shiny bits , lacquer will bring the finish up nice if applied properly (ie nice full coat but not to much to run - may need practise).
Overall a steady hand , taking your time and a good eye are very important. Masking took me around 1.5 hours as i really wanted to get it right , Overspray = Nasty 

[Uku]

aye ive done an entire wing with halfords paints , and also done colourcoded arches on my old 205 gti , its actually fairly easy , the trick is preparation , keeping the spray area dust free , no humidity , and warmth , i used bin bags on the floor (in garage) after sweeping and damping down dust , also a small space heater , (it was winter at the time) , i also found leaving the cans in the airing cuboard overnight helps as it warms the paint and gives a finer spray. also let the panels heat up if its a cold day (left mine in garage with space heater for half a day. make sure you mask off areas ya dont wanna spray with newspaper and 'good' quality masking tape. and as said above prepare surface well with wet and dry. paint doesnt stick well to glossy surfaces so needs flatting. if your unsure , practice on the old small bumpers or somin similar.

[Golf8vGti]

Well its a spare big bumper that ive got lying around in the garage collecting dust so i thought i would give it a go, thanx everyone for your advice and help. Im gona give it a go so as soon as its done i'll get some pictures up and show ya all how it comes out.