DIY Bumper respray for under $50.00
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,915
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
Couple of observations - 1. brand new paint is going to seem a little brighter than existing, in six months of exposure to elements and UV it will tone down a little. Exact matches are very difficult on older paint jobs. 2. Paint on plastic will almost always look different than paint on metal just because of differences in the substrate and how each type of surface takes and "holds" paint.
Even straight from the factory, if you look very closely at plastic painted surfaces like bumpers and also pre-painted items like the mirror housings they rarely match under close inspection.
Making slight changes for different substrates and age/condition of existing paint is where the guys that do this work all the time can make slight corrections as they lay down the paint to make for a close match to existing aged paint color.
Even straight from the factory, if you look very closely at plastic painted surfaces like bumpers and also pre-painted items like the mirror housings they rarely match under close inspection.
Making slight changes for different substrates and age/condition of existing paint is where the guys that do this work all the time can make slight corrections as they lay down the paint to make for a close match to existing aged paint color.
Last edited by Jabberwock; Jun 30, 2014 at 02:43 PM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (9)
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,085
Likes: 199
From: toronto
sure ill actually do a DIY for the front bumper not just post before and after photos
good points man , ive even been to the lex dealer and they told me matching this gold is never 100%
Couple of observations - 1. brand new paint is going to seem a little brighter than existing, in six months of exposure to elements and UV it will tone down a little. Exact matches are very difficult on older paint jobs. 2. Paint on plastic will almost always look different than paint on metal just because of differences in the substrate and how each type of surface takes and "holds" paint.
Even straight from the factory, if you look very closely at plastic painted surfaces like bumpers and also pre-painted items like the mirror housings they rarely match under close inspection.
Making slight changes for different substrates and age/condition of existing paint is where the guys that do this work all the time can make slight corrections as they lay down the paint to make for a close match to existing aged paint color.
Even straight from the factory, if you look very closely at plastic painted surfaces like bumpers and also pre-painted items like the mirror housings they rarely match under close inspection.
Making slight changes for different substrates and age/condition of existing paint is where the guys that do this work all the time can make slight corrections as they lay down the paint to make for a close match to existing aged paint color.
Driver
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 177
Likes: 2
From: ND
Thanks a lot guys
Yes I used a portable HVLP mini compressor.
I have had a few during my lifetime but the one I used for this was a very cheap $99.00 special from Princess Auto.
They are like a Napa or autozone type store here in Canada.
I would suggest to anyone that has a garage or is into cars to pick up an HVLP, they have a ton of uses and come in handy more then you might think.
If you have the money buy a good one , Fuji for example makes a very high quality HVLP and well worth the extra cash.
Im also going to tackle my front bumper soon, im going to tweak the color a little to take the edge off that bright gold .
But in all honesty in person you cant tell at all, the color is super close even in the bright sunlight
Yes I used a portable HVLP mini compressor.
I have had a few during my lifetime but the one I used for this was a very cheap $99.00 special from Princess Auto.
They are like a Napa or autozone type store here in Canada.
I would suggest to anyone that has a garage or is into cars to pick up an HVLP, they have a ton of uses and come in handy more then you might think.
If you have the money buy a good one , Fuji for example makes a very high quality HVLP and well worth the extra cash.
Im also going to tackle my front bumper soon, im going to tweak the color a little to take the edge off that bright gold .
But in all honesty in person you cant tell at all, the color is super close even in the bright sunlight
Be proud of the work you did. I think it turned out fantastic for the amount of time and money spent...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
kbradfish4
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
1
Jul 17, 2014 02:39 PM
xknowonex
Automotive Care & Detailing
5
Mar 12, 2008 10:11 PM
imjohnphan
Automotive Care & Detailing
14
Jan 25, 2007 02:05 PM
imjohnphan
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
7
Sep 5, 2005 09:39 AM
