02-13-2011, 07:11 PM | #1 |
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Painting Bumperettes - DIY Overview (now with after pictures)
Given that I just spent a bunch of money on suspension – there is no way I could justify to the other half spending $300 on painted bumperettes from Bumperplugs. So I decided to give it a try as a DIY. Figured if it failed, then I would have to buy them
Sorry, but these are less than attractive. Total Cost: $75 Total Time: 4 hours (over 3 days) Inputs: Sandpaper various grits (120 grit to 2000 grits) Flexible primer for bumpers Spray bomb Arena Red Metallic Clear Coat Sandable high-solids primer (not shown) Brake cleaner and rags (not shown) – used to clean surfaces after sanding Step 1 Remove Bumperettes (6mm? Hex socket or Allen key ) – takes 2 mins Clean bumperettes with soap and water (discover all kinds of little nicks in the surface and hope that primer fills them) Step 2 Sand to remove current, rubberized, pebbled finish. I started with 200 grit and quickly went to 120 grit as they are much harder that they look). This took quite some time (1 hour) to get finishes that I like and there was still pebbling in some locations. Left - not sanded; Right - sanded Up close sanded Step 3 Prime with flexible bumper primer (2 coats) Sand with 400 grit (note getting at the openings at the bottom is not easy) After priming this, I was not happy with the amount unevenness in the surface, so I decided to use the high-solids primer to fill in the imperfections (I had used it successfully in the past on bumpers). Step 4 Prime with high solids primers (3 coats) Sand with 400 grit Step 5 Apply two tops coats of Arena Red Metallic Step 6 Three coats of clear Step 7 (not completed yet) Wet sand with 2000 (1500 grit if required) to get rid of orange peel. Buff with compound and wax This step makes a huge difference (just be careul with the 2000 grit you can burn through the clear and this requires a repaint...) Step 8 Re-mount (when it’s not snowing outside) Assessment Not as good as Bumperplugs, but good enough from 5 feet. Paint match looks pretty close Big question – durability. If they don’t last, then I get to place an order in the future to Bumperplugs
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Fergus '86 951 - Heidi '05 Subaru Legacy 2.5 Limited - dd '74.5 Triumph TR6 - Restoration project, but I won't take $50 for it! Gone but not forgotten '99 996; '86 944 Last edited by fbgh2o; 02-19-2011 at 02:33 PM. Reason: Updated with after pictures |
02-13-2011, 07:47 PM | #2 |
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Those look pretty good, Fergus!
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Jake '99 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 '08 BMW M3 convertible '19 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew '95 Mazda Miata M-edition '15 Ford Explorer XLT |
02-14-2011, 02:35 PM | #4 |
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Looking good!
I did basically the same mod on my 986, but I left the texture. Post a pic when you mount them.
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Ray S "Attitude is Everything" '00 986 (Sold) '02 996 C2 (Sold) '08 997 Turbo aka "Silver Bullet" |
02-19-2011, 02:35 PM | #5 |
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Finally mounted
Sorry it took a week. In finishing I accidentally burned through the clear coat on one and hard to refinish it.... Oops
Here they are mounted (compare to the original)
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Fergus '86 951 - Heidi '05 Subaru Legacy 2.5 Limited - dd '74.5 Triumph TR6 - Restoration project, but I won't take $50 for it! Gone but not forgotten '99 996; '86 944 |
02-19-2011, 03:51 PM | #6 |
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Looks good Fergus. Also note the larger,round, exhaust pipes. Another good addition.
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02-19-2011, 04:15 PM | #7 | |
Master of Disaster - at least this week...
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Quote:
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Fergus '86 951 - Heidi '05 Subaru Legacy 2.5 Limited - dd '74.5 Triumph TR6 - Restoration project, but I won't take $50 for it! Gone but not forgotten '99 996; '86 944 |
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