How to Repaint Bumpers

by Alibaster Smith

When you notice a scratch, scuff or paint chip on your bumper, you generally have three choices: you can leave it alone and wait for it to get worse (and it will), you can take it to a body shop and have it repainted for you. Your third option is to paint the bumper yourself. While a professional body shop might be able to do a better job repainting the bumper for you, it is much cheaper to do the job yourself. The most important aspect of repainting bumpers is to make sure you have a clean work area that is free of dust or other airborne contaminates. Ideally, you would have access to a paint booth; however, if you have a relatively clean garage with exhaust fans, you should be all right.

Step 1

Sand down the entire bumper with 1200-grit sandpaper. 1200-grit sandpaper is a fine grit sandpaper that will not create deep scratches in the surface of the bumper but will remove the old paint, dirt and other debris currently on the surface of the bumper.

Step 2

Wash the bumper off with a water hose. Remove all of the sanded paint and debris from the bumper.

Step 3

Dry the bumper with a clean, lint-free cotton towel.

Step 4

Cover any areas you do not want painted with newspaper and masking tape.

Step 5

Spray the bumper with an even coat of primer using the power spray gun. To do this, work the paint gun back and forth slowly holding the gun approximately 2 feet away from the surface of the bumper. Allow the bumper to air dry and apply two more coats of primer. Allow each coat to dry before applying another coat of primer. Drying time will vary depending on the environment you are working in (i.e. humid versus dry).

Step 6

Wash the paint gun with a solvent designed to clean paint guns.

Step 7

Spray the bumper with the body paint you've chosen. Make sure you cover the bumper evenly. Work the paint gun back and forth slowly holding the gun approximately 2 feet away from the surface of the bumper. Allow the bumper to air dry and apply two more coats of paint. Allow each coat to dry before applying another coat of paint. Drying time will vary depending on the environment you are working in (i.e. humid versus dry).

Step 8

Wash the paint gun with a solvent designed to clean paint guns.

Step 9

Apply the clear coat to the bumper in a similar manner as you applied the primer and paint. Work the paint gun back and forth slowly holding the gun approximately 2 feet away from the surface of the bumper. Allow the bumper to air dry and apply two more coats of clear coat. Allow each coat to dry before applying another coat of clear coat. Drying time will vary depending on the environment you are working in (i.e. humid versus dry).

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