Ok... So in my post showing pictures of my car a couple people asked for a write up and here it is.

Note* Sorry if it is too long. I feel this is crucial to get it right. Enjoy!


I got all of my products at NAPA. I work there so I trusted it. I asked our paint guy (we actually send people to Reno for a paint school) what the best process would be for painting the bumpers and here it is.

I bought a quart of wax and grease remover. I don't know how much it is, but less than 20 bucks. This is what gets rid off all the oils and stuff from before. I guess you could use paint thinner, but the process would change and it is up to you if you want to paint over something that eats paint.

I bought a couple (3) cans of Dupli Color trim paint. This is not an actually bumper paint, but more so intended for mirrors and stuff. I am not sure but bumper paint MIGHT have more flex additives, but I wasn't too worried about it. And in 6 months I still haven't had a single problem. Also most bumper paints are gray or something and I liked the look of this.

Here is what the can looks like.



I also got a scuff pad. It looks kind of like a kitchen S.O.S. pad but different. It is what I used to apply the wax and grease remover. I also got this other cloth (don't know the name) but it looks like cheese cloth but is sticky. It works good for getting any dust or whatever off before painting. I think with this stuff you should be good.

And I also bought some pinstripe. If all NAPAs are the same then they should have the pin striping I got. It doesn't quite fill up the little channel (88-89 bumpers) but it works. It is just normal red, etc.

The pin striping might look a little weird on bumpers other than the 88 or 89. But you can still do the painting!

AND THE PROCESS!

I started by removing the bumpers (you can paint them on the car, but it takes little time to take them off) and for the side moldings I just taped off the car and painted them.

For write ups on how to remove the bumper SEARCH!!! Lots of fine people put good information up. Use it!

Wash the bumpers.

Use the rough pad to apply the wax and grease remover. After doing the whole car I still have lots left so you can use a lot of it you want (but note that you need to use it twice). While applying the wax and grease remover have a friend follow behind you with a towel to dry up the wax and grease remover. You don't want it to evaporate on the car.

Next go and wash the bumper with soap and water.

Then apply the wax and grease remover again, in the same process you used the first time. After applying this stuff you bumper will look very dull and haggard. This is ok. This time don't wash the wax and grease remover off though.

Use the sticky cheese cloth to wipe down the bumper to ensure there is no dust or whatever on it.

Paint the bumpers. I used lots of light coats and it is really important that you let the paint FULLY DRY between coats. Bumpers will be moving slightly as you are driving and if there is a ton of paint caked on and stuff it could flex and crack the paint.

I don't remember how many coats I used, you be the judge.

For the side moldings, everything is the same. I was told the wax and grease remover is safe to get on your cars paint (also why I wouldn't use paint thinner) but just to be sure I washed it off after I was done applying it to the moldings.

For the pin striping I let the car sit over night and did it the next day. This was to ensure that everything was dried up and stuff.

The process for the pin stripes is pretty easy. And it helps if a friend is helping too. Start the pin stripe where ever you want. When you start it there will be a little gap above and below it and you need to try to keep that gap the same all the way around the car to make it look straight. Pin stripe curves really easy so it is important to keep some tension on it as you are pulling it across the car but if you pull to hard it will stretch and thin out. While making sure it is centered in that little channel have a friend hold the tape out so it doesn't curve and slowly pull it across the surface. I ran my finger behind to make sure it is stuck good.

IMPORTANT!

Pin striping is really sticky and so if you mess up and try to peel it back there is a REALLY good chance it will peel up the spray paint. This is why you need to go REALLY slow and try to make sure you don't mess up.

Other than that you should be able to get a really straight clean line on your car!


The whole cost was probably less than 30 or 40 dollars. I am not entirely sure. It did take a while though so be sure you have the time to do it. I did mine in two different days.

Once again I am sorry if it was too long. Feed back on the write up or the car would be nice!

Thanks for looking and good luck. Feel free to PM if you have any questions!

And here is the finished result!

From this:









TO THIS!

 

DIY

 

good DIY. makes your car look ten times better.

 

 

thats an awfully clean..rust-free body...from what i can see from this end..

 

That made a world of difference

You ever consider getting the lower halfs of the bumpers painted the same color as the body?

 

looks great. i wish i had an 89 so i could try it. anyone know if 89 molding and bumpers fit 1991 HB?

 

Thanks for the good feedback. I have thought about painting the lower halves of the bumpers to match the car. I have also thought about painting the lower half of the car to match the bumpers. But I think it keeps a little something unique how it is. And for those of you that are wondering it is a home-grown rust FREE car. As far as I know it was purchased locally here in town at the Honda dealer and has remained here every since. And I love those non-salted Oregon winters. There are tons of clean Civics and CRXs around here if you try to find them. Most of the time they are driven by old people too.

By the way... I was extremely excited to get a car this clean inside and out. (The only interior damage is to the bolster of the drivers seat, right now working on swapping the brown out though.) And the great part is, the car was only 1200 bucks and it runs like a champ!

Thanks again!

DJ

 

And last I checked 89 bumpers will fit on a 90 or 91!

 

the dupli trim paint is the probably the cheapest one you can buy out there, and the result isnt so bad. however if you're willing to spend, buy the more expensive trim paint rattle can from your local automotive paint store, costs about ~$100 a can, guaranteed will bring happier result.

 

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by project.one &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">the dupli trim paint is the probably the cheapest one you can buy out there, and the result isnt so bad. however if you're willing to spend, buy the more expensive trim paint rattle can from your local automotive paint store, costs about ~$100 a can, guaranteed will bring happier result.</TD></TR></TABLE>

is that a typo? $100 for a rattle can? and this dude used three of them? i am sorry, but you gotta be outta ur mind to spend $300 on three cans of spray paint for damn bumpers. that is my opinion atleast.

great looking result though. i certainly like it

 

it only takes 1 can to spray on my CRX. im not quite sure about the price, hence that "~" sign up there. $100 is what i friend told me when i used the whole can at his shop, but he could be exaggerating a little.

 

Ha I did the same thing to my 89 the other day. The bumper paint I used cost me 8 bucks a rattle can and the pin stripe was 5 or 6 bucks. Thats Canadian money!

 

Ok, what he was saying above was that if you ARE willing to spend a lot you can buy 100 dollar per can trim paint! That isn't what I used. The stuff I used was like 5 or 6 bucks a can. It might be "cheap" but so far it has been six months and it has stayed through 90+ degree weather, LOTS OF RAIN (Oregon), really cold mornings with ice on the bumpers and even a couple of days with snow!

I am proud of how long it has lasted so far, and if I have to respray it every year then oh well. But I doubt I will have to.

And as for the Canadian Civic. LOOKING HOT BUDDY! Haha.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by square_1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

And as for the Canadian Civic. LOOKING HOT BUDDY! Haha.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thanks, witha little TLC even a rusty old civic looks aight. Here's my summer car.

 

I love the pinstripe and paint , I've got to add this to my "to do list"

 

FYI , the "sticky cheese cloth" is called Tack Cloth.
Looks good , nice write up

 

nice write up..