I'm going to paint my car myself sometime this Spring. I've never painted a car before so I've started doing my research. This may be a stupid question but I read that you have to put an additive in the paint when painting the bumper covers so the paint will flex with them and not crack. What's this additive called and do you mix it right in with the paint or is it something that you put a layer of it down then spray over it? Also does this apply to the primer too or just the actual paint and/or clear?

 

Are you gonna do a real paint job or just spray paint?

 

it's called bulldog adhesion promotor http://carbodysupplies.com/shop/arti...r.html?pse=coa , and you lay it down before you apply your base coat

 

bulldog has nothing to do with his question.

A flex additive is what you're looking for. ask the manufacture or store where you bought the paint, if there is a flex additive that goes with the paint u can use. some paints now a days may have enough elasticity that you may not need a flex agent. but ask anyways, each paint brand is different

 

^ This. (I say that a lot after gorillafart's posts lol)

Bulldog Adhesion Promoter is for bare plastic. As for flex additive, not necessary. PPG gave us a flex additive for use in our system but I have never once used it and I've never talked to a single rep for any company or a single other painter who recommends it or has even used it themselves. With a painted flexible part you can bend it like crazy before the paint will stress and/or crack. Flex additives were used back in lacquer paint days. With modern urethane clear there's no need. Even with primer, you really have to twist a part all to hell before there's any damage to primed areas underneath.

 

serjey15 - I'm completely repainting my car with actual car paint.


Thanks for the information guys.

 

I've painted several complete cars in the garage and also never used flex agent for the bumpers. Never had any issues or a need for more flexible paint. Of course if you twist the bumper 180* the paint will probably crack, but if you are careful you will be fine

 

Alright, thanks