I purchased a project car for myself recently that I want to get painted. I just need some advice on the prep side of it cause im doing the prep myself. Keep in mind I have prep'd a car before but not a car that needed as much work. There are no dents/dings on this new project just peeling paint, mainly just previous paint problems...... There are pictures for reference, the bumpers are the worst the body not so much. Just want to know if I should just sand the bumpers (they are not metal, there plastic) or take some of the paint stripper for bumpers to the bumpers and go from there. Just want to know what i should start sanding wit and what to end with before primering with the filler primer. Again ive done it before just not on something this severe. Would rather do it myself since i have some time off instead of paying a body shop an outragous price to do it for me......

 

Not a Pro at painting but have painted my fair share of cars. But if you want it to look like a pro did it take it to a pro, if you just want a backyard job to get ya by for a few years do it.

As for the bumpers, I would find a doner set from the junk yard that are a little better then those ones. If you can find a set that has dull paint on them you just need to color sand with 240/320 wet and prep. the ones you have there will need to be completely stripped cause the chipped paint willshow up (even if you sand it smooth,it willshow up unevenly). and then if you completly stripp them you have got to be carefull with not scratching the plastic with the sandpaper and you don't want to use a filler on flexible plastic (will crack after any movement). Also with the donar set if you leave the factory paint on itis already adheard to the plastic and less likely to chip yournew paint you apply.

It has to be hand sanded or orbital (start 240 grit end with 320 grit)do not use a stripper chemical at all it will eat the plastic.

Hope that helps

 

I would start(if you have a air compressor).Take a high flow fitting or an air blower to see how much will blow off first before I would you any stripper or sandpaper.If you (don't have air)I would take 320 on a da and sand eveything either smooth or off if possible.GM bumbers come with a factory e-coat on them so you want have to worry so much about ruining the plastic.Once you get it smooth/off just put three heavy coats of high build primer in them.When you prime it and its still wet you should be able to see anydefects inthe bumpers and car.If you want to fix any spots a company called rage makes body filler for plastic parts.It has a flexible agent in it.Once the primer is dry I would try to block as much as I could with 320 or 400 and the reprime if needed.I would finish wet sanding it with 600.By then I should be ready to seal and shoot.I woundn't go with stripper it quick but it makes more of a mess than it helps.Then sanding takes a long time but makes for abetter finish.Just to let you know I am a ASE and I-car certified painter for ten years.Sorry about the book I just wrote.Pm if you have any more questions.I will be happy to help.

 

Im with RCR, Im not a pro. But I do know that I spend too much time sanding. So start sanding.