AlFakher

I recently put in a 2009+ (painted) bumper on my car, which didn't come with tow hook covers. After seeing that sewell wanted nearly 70 + tax/shipping each for them to be painted, I decided to buy them unpainted and do it myself.

Started with plasti dip (in case I messed up, I can always peel it back.) 3 coats.

Then I went to duplicolor "perfect match" acrylic laquer. 3 thin coats (separated by 10-15 minutes), followed by a slightly thicker coat (after 2 hours).

The paint is incredibly orange peeled looking, terrible reflection. I want to know if there's a step that needs to be done to get rid of this orange peel look before I apply the clear (I know nothing of wet sanding, and if it needs to be done before or after the clear).

Any ideas?

WylieKylie

iTrader: (2)

Seriously, your best bet for matching paint is a junk yard. If you can find the right color at a yard that will sell just the tow hook covers.

I wouldn't start with plasti dip as a basecoat, I'm betting much of the orange peel is coming from that to begin with. I would peel it all off and start over. Get a primer that will work over bare plastic for your first layer down.

What color is the car? Depending on the paint and the color you can sand before you put the clear on, and that could help reduce the amount of orange peel in the clear enough that you are satisfied. However, wet sanding is generally done after clear, but wet sanding is only the first step. After sanding you have to polish with 2-3 grades of polishing compound and pads with a polisher, or a-lot effort by hand.

Are you understanding why Sewell wanted the $$$? Automotive paint is not an easy task, and the fact that these are small pieces doesn't make any of the process easier!

613tl

or you need to wet sand it and re clear it

AlFakher

Car is black.

Ok so I tried to apply clear to see if it would look any better. Definitely does not. Went ahead and peeled all the plastidip/paint/clear off (complete pain in the ***) and going to start from scratch.

So does this sound right in terms of correct steps:

Sand with 600 grit.

Apply 2 coats of primer (still not sure which kind of primer to get for plastic)

3-4 coats of base

2-3 coats of clear

Wait 48 hours

Begin wet sanding process/polishing

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

As you already know, your first attempt is totally wrong (plasti dip). Body shop is the real best bet but what you posted sounds good.

srt1

^ exactly as mentioned. I've painted interior plastics before( my lifted F350) and it's time consuming. You have 2 small parts to;
1) prep
2) paint
3) clear
4) wet sand = VERY time consuming for perfection = getting out the orange peel
5) cut and polish
6) wax

I suggest taking it to the shop unless you want to become disappointed again. Jus sayin.