Getting my bumpers ready for paint

[318driver]

well, I dont have them yet.... But I think that i am going to try and prep them myself before i bring them to get painted.
I want to get off the bumpyness on the valance and i know some of you guys used a chemical but i dont know what it is?
Also, What primer should i used, and do i need to take off the original paint?

Also, I know this is a stupid question but, should i fit the bumpers, and valance, then take em off to go get painted. Do i even need to fit them first or can i just assume that they will just go right on with out a problem because they are oem.

i know alot of my questions are silly, but this is my first time doing it and i want to do it right.
thanks for you help.

P.S. Can someone show me where i can find the write up on independent fogs. Thanks again

[Jay Stock E30]

i doubt that any body shop willuse the primer you put on, they will want to strip them back down and prime them again.

You can sand and strip them down, which will lower the costs though.

[318driver]

Is there an easier way than sanding like a chemical, I remember my brother used this stuff that he sprayed all over his tailgait and the paint just bubbled up after a few minutes and you wiped it off. Im not sure if that would work on the plastic bumpers, but will probably work on the valance, but im going to have to look into it more.

Also one thing i forgot to mention, Is after i cutoff the towhook(s) what can i do to replace it, I think there is somthing on the bumper in trim if i remember correctly that seems like it would work fine.

[Nate325ic]

there is a screw in hook for the bumper for towing. good luck with your conversion show us lots and lots of pictures :up:

[EtaSport]

Depends on how straight the front valance is (when deciding on whether to mount it on first). Its possible it may be out of line somewhere and might effect how it goes on. Mine didnt fit the best but I painted it first. It all worked out though.

I'd like to know how everyone out there is doing with their smooth valances? I told my dad I was going to remove the texture and he told me it was a bad idea because its there to prevent chipping, and if id take it off i would be painting it every year. I left mine on, which doesnt mean I cant strip later if I come to find people have good luck with it.

If you are going to strip the texture off I recommend multiple coats of paint to prevent chipping though. Which spoiler are you wanting for the front then? I would like to get a reiger, but 'is' might be more practical.

[BMW BMXER]

There are both spray on and brush on paint removers.

The body shop will not use your primer.

[Jordan]

Do not bother preping your bumpers, it will only waste your time. The bodyshop can do it faster, and better then you can, and will do it anyways.

As for the valance, just goto a hardware store and ask for a gel like chemical paint stripper. They will show you where they are. Just pick the most potent one.

Brush it on, and let it stand for several minutes then start scraping shit off. You will need to brush several coats on as you remove more paint and rubberized texture.

FYI the rubberized texture is like 3mm thick, and the paint remover won't strip it, it will only soften it. Use a razor bladed window scraper to shave it off. I did it like that and it was off very quickly.

Do not use the same paint striper on plastic, it will melt/scar it.. badly.

also, in response to EtaSport's post....

DO NOT put extra layers of primer on, it WILL encourage paint chippage.

[EtaSport]

primer understandable.. i was refering to actual paint.. or is this a bad thing too?

[318driver]

Thanks guys.

Jordan, what do you think about etasport saying that the front valance will chip with out the rubberized coating there.

etasport, my brother is selling me his IS lip for $80 so im deffinatly gonna go that route. I will eventually get a splitter too. Also the reiger might look a little funny on my car since it is not lowered, but that will change when i come back from school next year.

Thanks

[Jordan]

Jordan, what do you think about etasport saying that the front valance will chip with out the rubberized coating there.

It will chip with it, and it will chip without it... getting something small like a valance repainted every year is quite cheap... so who cares? run it smooth. Mine is smooth, and I just saw it all painted and soaked in clear coat..... ooooohhh sooooo yummmmmy.

[318driver]

Ok, thanks guys. I'll deffinatly be getting rid of the bumpyness and ill leave the rest up to the body shop.

Thanks.

[318driver]

One more question that i thought up in my mind, Is airbags. Is there anything that has to be done to make them still work. Im guess ill find out when i take it apart, but id like to know before hand. thanks.

[e30Matt]

Get rid of the airbag. It's more dangerous than safe.

[318driver]

we'll have to see what my dad says about that. lol... but if i do put it back on, is there anything that i would need to do.

I personaly would love to get rid of the airbag and get an Mtech 2