Paint

[blackjeep24]

Well I am doing a full tune up on the Jeep however I know nothing about paint and I want to bring the exterior to better condition. The body paint is fine however the front/rear bumpers are flaking off as well as the door and hood hindges. I was wondering if I can fix that by buying a good spray paint? What would the steps require me to do could I just paint over the bumpers? I dont want rust to ruine my paint job either but I am considering the rhino line for the bumpers...i dunno about the under body.

 

[SenorCole86]

Any kind of painting would require you to prep the surface first. This means cleaning every bit of dirt and grease off, that thing has to be immaculate. Then you sand it pretty vigorously, it has got to be scuffed up pretty good and there can be no lose chips of paint or anything. Then you clean it again and you should be ready to go. If you're using something out of a rattle can that isn't rhino liner, I would strongly suggest you use a paint primer as well. These can also be obtained in a rattle can. In my opinion, rhino liner is a little too expensive for just the bumpers, if you're going to do rhino liner, do the entire interior of the tub . . . provided you don't have carpet. I don't remember what jeep you had, I'm sorry. Wal-mart sells bed liner and rubberized undercoating both in rattle cans if you want to go that route.

I used rustoleum spray paints on my bumpers and they look great. I spent a long time prepping them, and finished them off with some coats of clear coat, just to make sure that paint stuck, and I haven't had any problems.

 

[jfrabat]

Cole,

Do you know if they sell the clear coats in spray cans? I am touching up my hood (dont want to do a complete hood paint job!), and if I can get some clear coat, I may go as far as sanding and polishing the touch ups...

Felipe

 

[redrooster]

They sell clear spray paint, but it will not look good to touch up the hood. I believe it will stand out worse than any problem you have now. I'm afraid you will have to have it re-sanded and painted to match.
Back to the bumpers...start by removing the rust. You can do this with a wire wheel or cup on a drill or grinder if the rust is heavy. If it's light rust, you can use a scotch brite pad or fine grit sand paper. You might start with 200 and work down to 400. Sand the entire bumper...you don't have to sand it to bare metal except where the rusted areas were. Then wipe the entire bumper with acetone or wash it with soap and water. Next mask around the body where you don't want paint overspray. Use tape and/or cardboard. Prime the bare metal and formerly rusty areas with a good quality primer. You don't have to prime areas that still have paint on them unless you want to. Once the primer dries, you can apply the black top coat.
I prefer Sherwin Williams 988 self etching primer available at body shop supply stores. If you can't find it, then the Rustoleum brand automotive primer is decent also(Lowes). I would use Rustoleum for the black top coat. The gloss black will look the best, but only if you do the prep work correctly. Glossy paint will make blemishes stand out otherwise.

 

[blackjeep24]

What if I do not want gloss? I just want normal black because its coated metal and not shiny would i clean it first, then prime it, then spray paint it(without a clear coat)? If so would it chip and dry soon? You have been a tremendous amount of help thank you!

 

[redrooster]

The methods of prep and painting do not change whether you want to use gloss, semi-gloss or flat paint. Clear coat is not necessary.