?'s for people that paint their own stuff.

[Mike325]

I just got some new body parts (valance and rear bumper) and they are both silver and my car is black so they need to be painted. I don't want to get them done proffesionally done because of the cost and because they will look a lot newer than the rest of the car. I want to paint them myself and I will get the paint through paintscratch.com. How hard will it be to get a nice job using the spray cans? I want it to look good, but to match the faded black of my car. What do you suggest?

Thanks.

[e30 power]

ok man i work in body shop so i suggest not to do it w/ spray can just sand it down a little w/ a scouth bride and use dbu paint if u can thats the cheapes one and is a good product so have funn painting

[Sean]

USe an air compressor, I'm usre you know a friend that's got one.

[Mike325]

Ya, I know people that have one. I am just afraid that the newly painted stuff will look new while the car looks old and shit. It is just the rear bumper and both valances, so it might not be that bad?

Thanks.

[der affe]

i also work at a bodyshop AND have done some nice work on small parts with spray cans....but not the kind from the hardware store. goto a paint supply store (automotive paint) have them mix up paint and put it into rattle cans (if it is a fiberglass bumper have them add a flex additive) get some self etching primer from the same store. red scotchbrite the parts, prime them, lightly red scotchbrite them again so that the surface is smooth. hang them from something (this will make them easier to paint evenly), WET DOWN THE AREA (this will help with dust and keep the paint from sticking to everything else). apply first coat lightly (tack coat), let dry then apply second coat and possably third. walk away for about 20 min, then move the parts in to the sun for about 1-2 hours to harden before touching them. try to let then sit over night or longer befroe trying to install them (be patient!). mask the edges with PAINTERS MASKING TAPE before you try to install (protect you from scratching ), install you are now done. if you have any questions ask the paint store where you bought the paint and they will be glad to help you out.
hope this helps,
greg

[Mike325]

Ya, thanks for the help. What about the color differences with the new paint vs. the old/original paint on my car? I only need the valance and rear bumper painted. Would this be something I could have painted in a way to have it match pretty close to my factory paint? My paint is not bad, I think it looks damn good, but new stuff will probably be a little better.

[1991 318is]

El cheapo.

I definately second the suggestion to go to a local auto paint supply. NOT auto parts store. As for matching, black doesn't fade as much as other colors. Professionals sometimes have trouble matching colors and there's no quick and dirty hot tip that you can work magic with. Clean and wax the rest of the car. Also you may be surprised if you get a price from a cheapie body shop.

[Mike325]

Thanks for the tips. I did go to a good body shop near me and it would be like $150 for the metal front valance and my bumper is a TBA because I am doing custom work to it. I am also getting a rear valance that is in black primer and it is ready to go for paint. I think $300-$400 should cover all the painting. That is not too bad.

[AndrewBird]

Have you car cut and polished. If the paint is still in good shape and just faded, a C&P will bring it back to life. Especially black.

[Mike325]

Have you car cut and polished. If the paint is still in good shape and just faded, a C&P will bring it back to life. Especially black.

Ya, that is what I was thinking. My paint is actually pretty damn good.

[der affe]

cut, polish, and wax your gas door take it off and bring it with you to the paint store have them mix you the color and use the gas door for the match/colour varience. that shopuld get you dead nuts
greg

[Mike325]

cut, polish, and wax your gas door take it off and bring it with you to the paint store have them mix you the color and use the gas door for the match/colour varience. that shopuld get you dead nuts
greg

Interesting. I have the paint code for my color. Would they get a different color with the door?

[BahnE30]

what they do is scan the paint you brought them, the computer then breaks it down into the different pigments needed to create that color, they then add those pigments together and volia, you've got perfect match. for the most part, i believe, you can get color matched cans for 14 bucks cdn

[Mike325]

what they do is scan the paint you brought them, the computer then breaks it down into the different pigments needed to create that color, they then add those pigments together and volia, you've got perfect match. for the most part, i believe, you can get color matched cans for 14 bucks cdn

Nice I can bring it to my bodyshop for them to do. Thanks