ED Colour/Paint Decision

[Henessaayyy]

I've hit this up in another thread I made, but only one person helped out and Im after more oppinions.

I want to spray my front and rear bumpers matte black... But I don't want to go through a panel beater, nor do I want to spend that extra cash on automotive paint.

I recently sprayed my windscreen wipers and wheels. I used a flat black engine enamel from Supercheap and they all turned out great. I am wondering if this same paint will be good enough for the bumpers, or should I use an acrylic based paint?

Im going after the cheaper option (broke as - doing pre-voc course so no income) and Im after a matte/flat black finish.

Im also wondering, if I do use the engine enamel, will I need to use clear coat or hardener over the top. I didnt use any for the wheels or the wipers and they've turned out better than I expected.

[na-118]

you said you wanted a matte/ flat black finish so why would you use clear coat? just go buy plastic primer, and prepare the bumpers really well with wet and dry sand paper.

[Henessaayyy]

you said you wanted a matte/ flat black finish so why would you use clear coat?

because clear coat is a hardener...

[mocchi]

because clear coat is a hardener...

because you contradict yourself

and dont need clearcoat for the engine enamel. i used it for my rotors, radiator, and wipers too. turned out nice yea? hehe
satin black is what youre looking for.

[Henessaayyy]

because you contradict yourself

and dont need clearcoat for the engine enamel. i used it for my rotors, radiator, and wipers too. turned out nice yea? hehe
satin black is what youre looking for.

Yeah, did turn out great... Im not sure if it would stick to the bumpers though, considering the material is different...
Would it be alright if I do use the engine enamel on the bumpers? Or should I go for an acrylic based paint... That's what Im trying to find out ...

[JasonGilholme]

clear coat is not a hardener.

Hardener is a hardener. lol if you spray your colour coat from a can then its got hardener in it. and a shit one at that.

Why do you wanna spary your bumpers matte black anyway? It won't match the colour of your car. and will look crap.

post a picture of your car so people can help you properly.

also, spraying from a can can be hard, particularly for matte finishes.

and if you want the finish to be matte then you don't spray over the top with clear coat. You'll end up with more of a satin type finish.

[Alexx]

Trism has done it. PM him/read his build thread.

[trism]

doesnt look crap on an ED... looks hot

i went to my nearest specialist automotive store and bought a can of "bumper bar black"


thats what its called

its specially designed for plastic bumpers. its got special properties that makes it flexible, so if you tap something witht he bumper it wont crack, itll flex with the plastic

[jdm_b16a]

i went to my nearest specialist automotive store and bought a can of "bumper bar black"


thats what its called

its specially designed for plastic bumpers. its got special properties that makes it flexible, so if you tap something witht he bumper it wont crack, itll flex with the plastic

Yep, that's the stuff.

As for the other discussions ...

Using acrylic paint is no good on its own - it will crack. There is a plastic additive that will alllow the acrylic to absorb small bumps.

Engine enamel is only used for engines (but can be used on brakes) as it cures by heat. That is, when the engine gets hot the paint hardens and cures. On parts that don't heat up, the engine enamel never cures properly.

Hardener is used as part of a chemical curing process. Why would you add a hardener? It's not compatible with acrylic only the older duco or enamel where it is mixed in to cure the paint.

Clear coat is just a clear paint, same as the base acrylic coat. You would use it where you are concerned about cutting into the base coat or colour when colour sanding or compounding.

Use the bumper paint - its the best for the job you want.

Peter

[Henessaayyy]

Thanks for the help guys, finally got the answer I needed.
I'll hit up some stores for that bumper paint.

Trism, Your car is red with the black bumpers, but mine is blue... I still reckon it'd look good, despite what others say.

Thanks again for the help

[SeverAMV]

if you dont want your bumpers to look out of place afterwards, do what i was planning on doing, sand the sides from the plastic strips and below, and paint it black. then you have a two tone ED!

[Henessaayyy]

if you dont want your bumpers to look out of place afterwards, do what i was planning on doing, sand the sides from the plastic strips and below, and paint it black. then you have a two tone ED!

A great idea indeed, something I considered but I'd want to get a big spray gun and do it... I'll only be using spray cans for the bumpers because Im a dodgy ****