The flexible plastic of car bumpers presents a unique automotive painting challenge. Because these covers can flex, an adhesion promoter is needed to keep the automotive paint from cracking and flaking off. But with our professional-grade products and expert advice, you can achieve body-shop results in your own driveway, even when you're faced with a tricky job like painting a plastic bumper.
In this video, we take a look at what can happen when repainting a plastic bumper is done improperly and show you how to prepare your vehicle before painting the car bumper with spray paint. We also show you how to properly apply the adhesion promoter to give your primer coat the "bite" it needs to stay put. Finally, we show you how to paint a car bumper and blend in your base coat automotive paint and clear coat for the best possible result.
Step-by-Step Instructions for How to Repaint a Plastic Bumper
Step 1: Clean the Bumper
Before you start to repaint a car bumper, clean the surface with soap and water, then use a wax and grease remover to eliminate any dirt, oil, or previous wax. A clean surface is crucial to achieving a smooth, long-lasting finish.
Step 2: Mask Off the Surrounding Areas
Use masking tape and plastic sheeting to protect adjoining panels and lights from overspray.
Step 3: Sand the Surface
Sand the entire surface of the bumper with sandpaper. Sanding helps remove imperfections and creates a slightly rough surface for better paint adhesion. If there are deeper scratches or damages, you may need to use body filler or a scratch-filling compound. Once applied, allow it to dry, sand it smooth, and use prep solvent to ensure that it's clean and dust-free.
Step 4: Apply Adhesion Promoter
Spray a light coating of adhesion promoter onto the surface of the bumper and let it dry. Adhesion promoter works by chemically altering the surface of the plastic, making it more receptive to primer and paint.
Step 5: Apply Primer
Once the adhesion promoter has dried, apply your primer to the bumper. The automotive paint primer helps the paint stick and provides a smooth base for the top coat. Apply two or three light coats, allowing each coat to dry. After the automotive primer has fully dried, lightly sand it to smooth out the surface and use a tack cloth to wipe off any dust.
Step 6: Repaint the Plastic Bumper
Apply the base coat in light, even layers. Hold the spray gun or spray can about 8 to 10 inches away from the surface and move in a smooth, controlled motion. Apply two or three coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely before spray-painting the car bumper with the next layer.
Step 7: Apply Clear Coat
After the base coat has fully dried, apply clear coat to protect the paint and give it a glossy finish. Spray three or four light coats of clear coat, allowing each to dry before applying the next. Clear coat adds a durable, protective layer that helps prevent environmental damage and enhances the appearance of the paint.