Proper Paint Repairs?: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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July 7, 2010 1:52 p.m. Nitroracer Dork

It seems that the awesome 100 degree temps have continued to anger my camaro. What used to be a scratch has now become a big clear coat blister on my front bumper. I have a feeling it was repainted poorly in the past because it never had the same shine as the hood even after a good wash and wax. I haven't done much work beyond your average spray can stuff and if I go to fix this I want to do it right. I'm 99% sure I can get a can of duplicolor paint that matches my factory paint code. But what goes beneath it and what goes above it? I would repaint the entire bumper.

I am considering blocking off the grill and fog lights with sheet aluminum or lexan too, but that is another project. The grill doesn't let air flow to the radiator and by smoothing everything out I might pickup a mile to the gallon too.
July 7, 2010 2:54 p.m. itsarebuild Reader

the big issue is the flexibility of the bumper. for pros, they can add a flex agent to the paint to keep it from flaking, but the rattle can stuff doesnt allow for that. you may be able to find a specialty auto paint store with paint code matching flexible bumper paint, but if that doesnt work you may want to consider finding a paint/ body shop to either mix up a can for you to use or just spray it for you.... especially if you are considering doing the entire unit anyway. some places i called around to for a third gen in atlanta a few years back would do it for less than a hundred if you removed the part and brought it to them scuffed up, taped, and prepped.
July 8, 2010 2:28 p.m. Travis_K Dork

I used duplicolor paint on the bumper on my alfa and it was ok, the funny part is it is part black and part bumper paint, and the bumper paint is peeling now, and the regular paint isnt.
July 8, 2010 3:06 p.m. NYG95GA SuperDork

Looks like a GRM bumper sticker would cover that up nicely..
July 8, 2010 8:29 p.m. ddavidv SuperDork

You need to strip all the clear off. In doing so, you'll almost guaranteed damage the color coat. Prep sand that, respray the color, and then apply clear (and NOT out of a spray can...won't work/last).