How to Paint Plastic Car Parts - Raw or Primed Bumper Cover

Here is a video on how to paint a car bumper cover. But you can also use this video as a how to paint plastic car parts in general. Like plastic trims, side view mirror housings, plastic brake light housings or other plastic covers and trim pieces.
Here are links to products which were used in this video:
Gray Scotch Brite Pad: amzn.to/2d0oKnY
Adhesion Promoter: amzn.to/2d0pEkt
Epoxy Primer/Sealer DTS (Direct To Substrate) 1 Qrt GRAY: amzn.to/2czecxW
Medium Urethane Reducer: amzn.to/2d0qqxO
Clear Coat, 1 Gallon (Link Bellow For Activator): amzn.to/2cq3Um2
Clear Coat Activator: amzn.to/2d0sOVj
Tack Cloths 12 pack (you'll need more than 1): amzn.to/2cAebXk
Microfiber Towels: amzn.to/2cvKJ78
HVLP Spray Gun: amzn.to/2d0oSUD
HVLP Gun Cleaning Kit: amzn.to/2cAhrli
Mixing Cups: amzn.to/2czdalo
Respirator (Face Mask): amzn.to/2czfkBJ
My Air Compressor: amzn.to/2cLeJyx
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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchetsand Wrenches, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. Ratchetsand Wrenches assumes no liability for any property or personal damage that may arise from doing a repair on your vehicle after watching any of my repair video's. Due to factors beyond the control of Ratchetsand Wrenches, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Again Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Ratchets and Wrenches.

[@AbishaiMarkGundy]

Painted 3 cars as a newbie, this is literally the best video out there for beginners tyring to paint their bumpers.

[@williamirizarry1113]

One of the best videos I have seen. You get to the point and generally stay on the point and actually teach. Not like others that have the gift of gab and go on and on until you are tired and at the end just want to sell their product. Good editing. Good links. Thank you!

[@rainvillecreative5410]

So I just gave my front bumper a repaint, following this video, and I probably watched it 50 times. I made a couple mistakes I think people should know to avoid, so they can save the headaches I have to go through. Make sure your paint is matched properly. I bought mine from Touch Up Express to match the color code on my Subaru, and they wound up selling me dark grey metallic instead of diamond grey metallic, with a wrong label. It was subtle enough to just think it was lighting, until I put it on the car and realized it's way too dark. Clean the gun right away with lacquer thinner. I bought some garbage paint gun cleaner instead that was milky white, and let the wet air gun parts sit in it overnight while the garage aired out. The primer wound up drying and hardening while submerged, which I then had to clean with lacquer thinner, which took forever. I must have made another mistake with spraying. After 24 hours of the clear coat drying, I am still able to scrape the clear and base coat clean off with my thumbnail, and it has a gummy consistency. I painted at about 70 degrees F in low humidity with a dryer on my air line (not the gun, since it needs to stay upright), and followed the drying times between coats. The only thing I can think of was putting the coats on too wet, which didn't have enough time to dry- 2 coats of base coat and it looked fully painted, but I did 4 coats total. I waited 22 hours between base and clear coat. I will probably adjust my air gun next time to put down much lighter coats. I also fixed a crack in the bottom lip of my bumper with some body filler that wound up cracking again after I painted, so even if the paint was the right color and went on properly, I'd still be dealing with potentially peeling paint. I am buying a new bumper and am going to give it another shot with paint from Touch Up Direct (not express), and will try to fix some of the mistakes I made.

[@cityinthesky1341]

WOW. It is amazing how much skill and technique goes into painting car parts properly. Thanks!

[@kyledavis672]

By far the best video to learn how to paint my bumper . Thank u bro for being descriptive and not laying all these little unnecessary details . I actually watched the full video and took mental notes thank u bro . This is truly informative

[@robhamilton4736]

This is the best how to video I have watched yet. Explained everything for a newby like me just perfectly. I appreciate the in depth explanation. Well done Sir. Maybe you can do a how to video on proper techniques for wet sanding.

[@Peep18m]

I knew an old body guy who passed away recently. He used the same HF paint gun you got. I’ll say I was very impressed w the results he got w that cheapo gun. I watched him spray many cars w it and never a problem.

[@vmaxtur]

Awesome Video! Nothing finer than watching a pro at his craft!

[@StealthSwith19136]

this is great man. ordered my front cover last week and it should be here tomorrow. thanks so much for the tutorial and the links to these items.

[@fadelfarae6019]

How he don't have 10 million subscription yet. He got the best video tutorials. keep up the good work.

[@tonysweat8007]

There are a lot of bad videos on here with bad information. This v ideo is not one of those. You nailed ever single step in my opinion. It's nice to see "how to" videos from people who know what they are doing. I'll be subscribing to your channel. Keep it up!

[@CycloneCyd]

I know exactly what you mean. Sometimes it can be hard to tell good info from the dross. It's also hard as a creator to make yourself known as someone who actually knows some real stuff.

[@spiceyfrenchtoast9421]

You know de way.

[@sascandave]

As a painter I see several errors ... leave the how to videos to the professionals......

[@JDuna]

Will u sub to my only fans ??

[@Gone_Rogue300]

@@sascandave I'm working on a plastic bumper on my Lexus IS300 what grits do you recommend? and is the tack cloth needed? any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[@royzcustomz]

adhesion promoter is very important when doing plastic. very good video.

[@klogjo]

I really enjoy your videos, I don't care what you do, you do it right. I won't say keep up the good work because you couldn't do a bad job if you tried. That's why I subscribed a long time ago.

[@RRoosa]

Great video. I have a new grill that I will need to paint before I install it. This video was very informative. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheRenpeg]

The Adhesion Promoter bulldog that you are using is also a sealer. 2-3 coats will fill 320 sanding scratches. If you just want to seal the panel or blend the spray areas you can use it.

[@paulpreston9555]

Thanks for linking everything to Amazon. Amazon is a retailer just about everyone uses. Enjoy your vids here in Kentucky...Thanks so much..

[@myRatchets]

np, I used ebay until a few months ago but amazon is by far better. Thanks for watching.

[@Gunjji]

Thanks for another great DIY instructional video bro! Always make me laugh with your humor, (elbow grease) I'll be checking your links for materials I might need as I am only in my beginning stages of my DIY.

[@mightymikeamps9317]

I have some OEM RAM 1500 Plastic Fender Flares sitting in my garage (for about a year) , and an RT Hood on it’s way to me This video makes me feel like I can paint them and do a good job this time.

[@juanfvielma3543]

This was handy painting my grille on my 99 Burban. Thanks for the video.

[@grantjsimon]

0:49 best part if this 📹!

[@justintidwell9649]

makes me happy to see you use Harbor Freight guns!

[@hanskinslo326]

Looks fantastic!

[@kevinn7199]

its is a really good thorough video. i really apprecaite it! thank you!!!!!!

[@kebzaccord]

Great video man, well explained.

[@NumDoc]

Exactly what I needed. Thank you dear.

[@mikeellis1247]

:getting ready to paint golf cart , this was the most helpful video I’ve watch,very good

[@wyattoneable]

I'll be coming back to this video in the future. I have a plastic bumper to paint and this will help a lot!

[@jhonathangarcia1330]

How did it go

[@wyattoneable]

@@jhonathangarcia1330 I don't remember, this was five years ago.. :)

[@briancjones1925]

IT IS the best Video on this process !

[@Ivan-ct5mt]

Great video thanks for sharing, it helped me on a small job I did

[@boblafountaine9560]

Very very helpful video and easy to follow. I am just wondering if one would really need to paint the inside of the bumper though? Is it because it just feels like the project is more complete? I don’t mean to be picky, just not sure why.

[@scghost]

I always thought I should use epoxy primer on PUR (poliurethane) plastic, while adhesion promoter to prime other types of plastic. Anyways, great video, as always!

[@iddiegab433]

nice job..thanks for sharing

[@mattkeefe3850]

Very good step by step video. I bought a PRIMED bumper. After scuffing cleaning it do you then use the adhesion promoter for the sealer or just for the for the base coat or both?

[@seanskerratt1975]

This was an awesome and informative video, thank you

[@retrorestore]

Nice vid bud.

[@jonathanaugustine8270]

You are a good teacher.

[@thehealer560]

Thanks again for another great video!

[@sledgehammer7998]

Very informative video, are you going to do a follow up with the wet sanding etc? I am trying to learn to paint but I would like to see an entire video from start to finish. I did see your other video about painting before.

[@nachov1109]

Buen trabajo Khedira.

[@sasoritaiga]

OMG this has to be on Intergalactic Cable! Especially the Scotch Pad section.

[@JayCoh47]

Excellent, excellent video. Extremely helpful and thorough. This took me from exactly what you saw at the beginning of the video to a nice metallic Toreador red finish. One suggestion, it would have been nice for a small break down of what the different kind of plastics like TPO, PP, etcetera stand for, and why that's important as far as what type of products do you use

[@michaelgerhart1888]

Thank you. Helped a ton!

[@magnumbrown]

good detailed video

[@flymdjets]

Great video, thanks

[@frankgruden2090]

great job!

[@saefhindi6184]

Thanks for your professional guidance. Why you did not use Adhesion promoter before Sealer Primer on the front of the Bumper ?

[@mavis967]

Excellent video, thank you. Do you have a video of a Rhino type bumper coating?

[@Unrealdruiddd]

Thank for a great video. Is there spray can alternative for the entire process?

[@550891]

i enjoy each of your tutorial. thank you. one question i have is that i love that cheap spray gun you are using. my question is that do you clean the gun between each base coat or between each clear coats? that means every 5 to 10 minutes ? or you finish all the base coat then clean and then all the clear coats then clean ?

[@x-man4702]

Love your videos bro!

[@TheMurray313]

Great video

[@JOKERBABYG]

Came out nice 👍

[@mr.motormaster9881]

you make good videos.niceley explaind

[@jrensh]

Great video - thanks. BTW. This spray gun is available at Harbor Freight for $15. What do you recommend min specs for a compressor?

[@blondegaijin]

Never go away, bro, I love you..!!!!

[@theoryofspirituality]

job well done bro !

[@aidentrentham2802]

I have a question. I'll soon be painted a wing for my car which is raw abs plastic but I planned on using aerosol cans for the entire thing. Is there a primer that you would recommend for abs plastic?

[@leonelgarcia7327]

Hi thanks for sharing, does this process ¿make te paint get flexible also? ¿are you able to bend the bumper without cracking the paint or the clear coat?

[@tylork8025]

Man why don't I get any videos from you anymore? Seriously it's like I had a blast from the past seeing your video

[@BiggusDickus2]

Great video!!!

[@markperez6195]

Great video!! I have a question. I just primed my cars front bumper today (has not been sanded yet) but wondering if I can apply sealer to the bumper after sanding the primer on the bumper? Was considering 400 grit for sanding the primer. I assume the sealer will adhere properly with a 400 grit sanded substrate?

[@sebulva]

thank you.. very good video.. thanks..

[@qaisakbari8525]

greattttttttt vid man 10 starssss

[@supersasquatch]

Would ben nice to see the final restored car look

[@eddbodnar1]

Hey Ratchets and Wrenches! Quick questions: 1) Where did you get your base paint, do you have a link? 2) Do you have to paint the "inside" portion of the bumper? Comments? 3) how much of each ingredient would you say you used to complete this job (it appears you only did the outside portion, and from the video you only filled the gun once, which yielded ~3 applications?) I need to paint 2 bumper covers potentially the inside portion as well, so I want to make sure I have enough materials to complete the job. I tried to make this simple so you could simply add the answer beside the listings. (eg. 1 qt, 0.5 gallon etc). How much of each of these will I need to fully complete 1 bumper (inside and outside) via your instructions in this video? a) bulldog adhesion promoter: b) epoxy primer: c) epoxy hardener: d) urethane reducer: e) sealer: f) base coat : g) clear coat: h) clear coat activator: Thanks!

[@BryanChance]

Damn that paint job came out looking really f*cking good!!

[@tpv59]

THANK YOU sir. VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. 10/10.

[@mercuriallimit]

I have a matte fender flares on my truck, upon closer inspection it's got very tiny dimples that gives it a matte and sandy look to it, but I want to paint the matte surface to match my car's paint. What are the steps I should approach this, most likely I will be using spray cans.

[@laffilmfest3759]

Thanks for the info!

[@alblume3374]

Nice vid. Said products will be listed in a link below but not seeing that.

[@Crazycajun985]

Could you use lacquer thinner for the reducer? Or rustolem specialty reducer? Don’t have the kustom in my area and a fortune to ship

[@paulgawlik2590]

Do you use a adhesion promotor over a primed bumper pad . Can you use a flex additive instead? Thanks.

[@firpofutbol]

My truck came with a black bumper that I want to paint silver to match the rest of the truck. I don't know if it's considered unprimed or if they still apply a protective coating to the plastic that isn't primer but still something that I have to remove. Not sure which of the two approaches talked about in this video I should take, anybody know?

[@theclaybeartravels3596]

I don't have that much money to buy your recommended air compressor, what do you recommend to be the lowest pounds and psi that I can get by using so I can buy something a little more affordable maybe in the 100 to 200 range

[@JayCoh47]

Questions for the video maker or anybody who knows the answer. And another video I saw that brief exposure the butane torch flame helps the mold release agent sweat out of the plastic, but did not see that here. Is this step necessary, it appears not to be in the video but I'm wondering if it would help but the longevity of the paint adhesion. Also, is anybody had success with duplicolor brand adhesion promoter? Versus Bulldogs adhesion promoter?

[@melekk0]

heeey , quick question do i need to use the adhesion promoter before the epoxy ? i mean isint the epoxy is an adhesion promoter by it self ?

[@Gone_Rogue300]

I'm working on the bumper cover rear for my IS300 what grits should I use to get it right before primer? and does someone have to paint it right away after primer? or can I leave it like that for a min until I can find the right paint for my car? Thanks.

[@StrappingYoungComrad]

Would be awesome if you can do a video on painting over chrome.

[@CycloneCyd]

It's virtually impossible to paint over chrome because it's so hard and smooth and inert chemically. If it's small plastic parts like grilles you can remove the chrome so you can respray with paint: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eXWpZHRprbqMm7s

[@JJ82106Buck]

I ordered adhesion promoter they sent me tinable will this work on plastic bumper cover?

[@kennethnichols7263]

How should you clean your gun between products. Also how long can the two part primer and clear coat sit in your gun?

[@brendanmccarthy492]

Not long.. if your spray paint and than dumping clear in it. Spray it fast.

[@christopherhaak9824]

It all depends on the speed of the hardener you use. Use something appropriate for the temp and there is no problem letting the gun sit between coats, but total you should not have things sit in there for longer than about 45 minutes, which is plenty of time to do the painting.

[@juancapulin6761]

Hi i have a question where can i get the paint at i hope you can answer me love your shows

[@_wimza_7983]

Hey man im using rattle cans, before hitting the bumper with clear coat should i wet sand with 2k grit?

[@shelvins1841]

Where would be a good place to get OE paint colors online? Thank you for the great video BTW, I've watched dozens and this is by far the best.

[@madisonventura3260]

duplicolor

[@austinthebeast33]

I would like to add that there is molding release agents inside the plastic. It is very important to use something to release the agents while scotchbroting the panel. You can do this on the cheaper end with plain old powdered comet bleach. Wet your raw plastic bumper and scotch brite. Apply some comet bleach to your scotch rote and go over the entire bumper in circular motions . Then just rinse it off and dry by blowing the bumper down with compressed air. Remember plastic gets static when wiped or rubbed so dust will want to stick to the bumper. Immediately clean with a rag damp with anti static plastic cleaner or wax and grease remover . Apply your adhesion promoter and wait for it to dry. Next prime the bumper or you can just use sealer and base right over the sealer and clear over that . Really just depends on your resources and time

[@CHB_98]

does this apply to abs plastic bumpers too that i have on my 09 acadia ? i want to paint it glossy it came on my car from factory no paint just black plastic

[@flyurway]

Hey, you do know there's 2 trigger positions on a spray gun, right?

[@ElPorteroso]

Thank you!

[@annla7189]

Hello, you said: after job was complete done & just 24-48 hours for wet sand & buff. by the way, what's wet sand numbers & buff by what???

[@blitzgaming7878]

So let’s say I bought a bumper and it came black primed. And the vehicle I bought it for is black. Could I just spray a layer or 2 of clear coat on it to shine it as a temporary colour? Instead of paying for the paint matched one?

[@HungNguyen-sb1yu]

My damaged bumper cover is black. I bought a used silver color bumper cover. Can I spray primer over the silver paint then black after that? Thank you.

[@mrsaturdaynightspecial3055]

Do you use the same techniques for Saturn plastic body panels?

[@semihyilmaz4699]

The front of the bumper ( which comes already primed from factory) , does it not require bulldog?

[@ivancespedes4624]

If I'm going to paint my mirror cap..is there such thing as getting these products from a spray can?

[@veritas2022]

What if I want to paint a used, painted plastic bumper? I have a used plastic bumper that is light blue and I want to paint (repaint) it a darker blue to match the rest of the car. What different steps do I need to take? Thanks in advance for your help.

[@MarkH10]

Pop out those popouts, so that you makes sure you paint the entire radius of tyge edge, both the space it goes in, and the pop out itself. You left it in, so it will look a little off, and provide a starting point for adhesion failure.

[@americanmotorsam-caz524]

Use dawn dish soap with some comet and a 3m grey pad. They make a flex agent for the plastic bumpers cause you're not getting a factory spray from the gun

[@wild8757]

Can you scuff up a plastic rocker panel cover that’s already painted and then basecoat clearcoat it?

[@modikee56inchkeegandafterw13]

does this primer work for all plastic? PP? HDPE?...ABS?...issue is i got hard plastic part and paint doesnt stick to that....its not an auto part...im thinking to use this as a try...

[@garethwilliams9979]

How do you paint a pumper that's already painted but chipped and has small dents and let's remember most people spray or brush on paint at home and don't have garage. Tips please.

[@aswinnb932]

Sir I have a prominent scratch on my car plastic bumper. Can I paint that portion only?

[@Gone_Rogue300]

is the tack cloth needed after using the fine sanding maneuver? thanks.