I'm getting my FB 85 repainted (bright white, eg, chaste white); are there any tricks/challenges to worry about when repainting the plastic bumper covers front and back?

That is: I'm getting this done professionally, but not sure how the paint will adhere over time to the plastic parts. A PO had done some painting on the exterior rubber/plastic parts, but must have just used rattle can or equivalent, as the stuff just flakes off with only slight pressure.

I'm worried that the bumper covers in particular, given that they do have some flex, will cause any applied paint to crack etc.

Thoughts?

Are there any gotchas to prepare for?

 

My rx-7 gsl-se had been repainted pearl white about 10 years ago.

It is holding up pretty well for a 10 years old paint job but the bumpers definitely need some maintenance/touch-ups.

I thought there would be a special kind of paint for this application but i'm no expert, maybe you would want to talk to your painter about and suggest to him this might be a problem.

I think it would last a while considering my car's bumpers are only just starting to flake but if you get the correct type of good quality paint and prepare the surface for paint properly it should be okay.

 

I thought about pearl white! How did yours turn out, do you have pics you can share?

 

I don't think i could choose a color that suits my car much better to be honest.
Even though it's not an original color, i think it makes the cars genuine factor stand out just the way i like it.

here's a link to my photo album of my white gsl-se and black gsl parts car.
There's not many photos of the car but i will be happy to put more up tomorrow afternoon.

RX7Club.com - jozeyrx7's Album: Jozeys rx7

 

infact, here's a video of my car on you tube you can watch if you like.. it might show the paint in a better light--

 

Very impressive. The pearl does look great.

Did you have the car painted, or was that a PO? Sounds like you bought it with the paint job?

 

Yeah, thanks. i bought it about 6 months ago and haven't changed anything except the tail lights and back carpet. It has 205,000 miles on the clock but still runs like it's brand new. The previous owner did an excellent job of maintaining the car.

 

I am not a paint expert, however I believe that your pro will use some type of additive to the paint which makes it more flexible. There are also special primers for use on flexible surfaces.

 

tell us how it turns out mate

 

There is an additive you mix into the paint that helps it stick to plastics, and also helps keep the paint somewhat flexible, so if the bumper twists the paint won't just come off. Any good painter will use it, but places like Maaco and quick collision repair centers usually don't...

Personally I use a product called BullDog Adhesion Promoter. Isn't very expensive and mixes with most paints. I'm sure each painter/shop will have their preference though.

 

I had the plastic bumper covers, front and back, on my Maya Gold '81 FB repainted by a body shop about three years ago, while I had the car in for minor dent removal work. I had had the car shipped to New York from California, and the only places the paint had faded was on those bumper covers. I don't know whether the shop used special paint or an additive, but the paint has held up extremely well and improved the overall appearance of the car dramatically. Do it!

 

here is some good info:
http://www.bodyshopbusiness.com/arti...g_plastic.aspx

The guy painting my car is putting a flexible additive in the paint. He said it will help with cracking of the paint as well as rock chips.

 

All awesome information, thanks to everyone!

 

A plastic bumper repair is an easy body work to make your car beautiful. There are few options available to get rid of cracks and deep scratches like fiberglass body repair compound such as bond-O and plastic bumper repair kits available in the market.