Alright, so I'm trying to paint my bumpers and side skirts black (I have a silver Accord)...and I just want to run over it with a can of spray. Yea, it's the incorrect way, I know this already. But my question is - if I just spray over the silver and then clear it, how long would it last? AND if I were to sand it, prime once, then paint - how long would it last?

 

if you just spray over the silver it's not gonna last long since the paint has nothing to adhere to. you need to prep the bumper by sanding out the clear, primering it, painting it then clear it. if your prep work is good it should last a good while

 

What grit paper should I use to scuff it up? I should only need to primer once then paint and clear.....I'd hope anyways. The paint job is factory - still in pristine condition.

 

600 grit is your best bet. Make sure to do this WET!!!!! WATER WATER WATER. Good Luck

 

So take my 600 grit, let the water hose do its magic while I'm sanding....primer it, spray, then clear. Should do the trick? I could primer, sand, primer, sand, etc. but I don't see the point if I have a nice factory paint job anyways. But if I have to, let me know. I know the prep work makes the paint job, but if the primer is nice and smooth, wouldn't that give for a good paint job?

 

Ok to start:

Step1- Start all of your sanding with 600 wet. Make sure your fingers stay together so you dont leave lines where you sand.

Step2- When you have completely done wet sanding, get a grey scuff pad (3M i believe, you can get these at local auto stores.) and go back over the entire area where you have alredy sanded with soap and water. This will let you clean all oils or anything of that nature that could be on the pieces, and it will get the sanded area very well.

Step3- Let Dry

Step4- When drying is done, clean with surface prep or acetone.

Step5- Tape any area that needs no paint.

Step6- You can prime or spray sealer as needed.

Step7- Then if happy with results, SPRAY BASE COAT.

Step8- depending on temperature let dry and then spray clear.

I hope this works for you, this was kind of in a nut shell but just wanting to help. Good Luck and feel free to ask me more questions.

 

So after I use the soap and water, I can rinse it off and can I dry it with a paper towel or something? And after I clean it with acetone, do I need to wipe it all off?

Also, after I clear it, do I need to buff it? I don't have a buffer and would prefer not to buy one....but do I need any rubbing compound or anything?

 

After you clear it, if it needs buffing, you can hit is with a wet 2000 grit sand paper and ley dry you can put some elbow grease behind hand buffing.

Elbow grease will save you from buying a buffer...LOL

Good Luck, Im still here if you need more answers. Have a good one.