Do-it-yourself bumper painting or professional workshop services? Check out what's best!
Machine operation

Do-it-yourself bumper painting or professional workshop services? Check out what's best!

Bumper painting is not a philosophy, but it requires accuracy. So if by nature you are annoyed by digging and caring for the smallest elements, give up varnishing. You break more than you fix. However, for DIYers with the right tools, patience, and a bit of practice, DIY bumper repainting is a good option. Check how much you will pay in the workshop and how much you will save by working in your corners!

Bumper painting - workshop price

Where did the idea to paint the bumper yourself come from? The main reason is the price. How much would you pay to paint a bumper? The cost is usually 450-60 euros Much depends on the specific specialist and brand of car. Sometimes damage requires additional welding of plastics, and this greatly affects the price. However, in most cases, you should not exceed the amount indicated above.

Do-it-yourself bumper painting - what you need to know?

You already know how much it costs to paint a bumper. And can you do it yourself? Yes, but remember that this is a step by step process. Applying a base coat is the icing on the cake when it comes to the whole process. Equally important is the thorough preparation of the base for the application of each subsequent layer. Even the best bumper painting will not hide the flaws caused by inaccurate filling of the element. Any scratches, indentations or unfinished areas will be very noticeable. This will make the new paint bumper pathetic.

Do-it-yourself bumper painting cost - how much?

The cheapest option is, of course, spray, masking tape and thin foil, and some do without it. But let's leave such extreme cases aside. The cost of all materials must not exceed 10 euros. Of course, we are talking about accessories such as:

  • spray;
  • tape;
  • sheets;
  • grinding plates;
  • substrate. 

If you don't have flexible body spatulas, you should also add them to the cost. However, even in this case, the total amount will not even come close to a significant fraction of the amount spent in the paint shop.

How to paint a bumper at home?

We're assuming you don't have access to a compressor and a gun and want to use a spray. We have some tips for you to help you draw. Bumper painting consists primarily of:

  • fixing adjacent elements or removing the bumper;
  • surface preparation;
  • primer, base coat and clear coat.

Now we present the next work steps that you need to do.

Preparing the bumper for painting, i.e. do it yourself

Ideally, you should be able to remove the item and place it on a stable stand. If you can't, take care of the car. Do not forget to carefully fix all adjacent parts. To do this, you will need masking tape and foil. Don't forget to separate the zones from each other so you don't have to worry about spraying another element. When you do this, sand the entire element with sandpaper or a cube and degrease. You can also wipe the end with an anti-static cloth to get rid of all the pollen.

Filling and leveling cavities

For putty, choose polyester products suitable for application to plastic. The good news is that this type of putty is pretty easy to work with. Do not exaggerate with the thickness of the layer, but try to apply it wherever necessary. After it dries, it's time to sand it down so that the bumper painting is effective. This requires precision and timing. If the defect requires refilling, do so and sand the bumper again. Finally, degrease the part.

spray painting bumper

When the surface is degreased, you can start priming. It is best to choose a color close to the base. Try to make smooth movements and avoid dot painting. Otherwise, you will make clear spots. Keep the sprayer at a distance from the bumper recommended by the manufacturer, i.e. approximately 20-25 cm. Usually 2-3 coats are sufficient. Finally, sand with P600 sandpaper.

Apply base and clear coat

The next step is to properly paint the bumper. Run a rag over it to collect all the pollen and get rid of deposits. Apply in thin layers (2-3) to avoid streaks. After drying and matting the base, use a colorless varnish. This also needs to be applied in 3 layers. Then wait about 4 days. The last step is polishing the element. Ready!

Bumper painting will save you even 400-50 euros if you do everything yourself. The effect, of course, will not be the same. However, do not forget to provide good working conditions. Never work in strong wind and rain, because this will negate your efforts. If you start painting the plastic bumper yourself, the price in the workshop will no longer scare you. You already know what to do. Good luck!

Add a comment