Painting over a rusty chrome bumper is not an easy task. The chrome bumper of your car is prone to wear and tear as time passes, so it is crucial to learn how to paint a chrome bumper to make it more durable. With that in mind, continue reading to find out possible ways how to paint chrome bumpers.
3 Steps to Follow When Painting a Chrome Bumper
As time rolls by, the general look of your car deteriorates, and you may consider repainting it to restore it to its original look. With that said, our primary focus today is the chrome bumper and possible ways to apply paint on your chrome bumper to do away with the unsightly look.
Below is a list of Supplies You Will Need:
- Well ventilated area
- Protective gear
- Spanner
- Soap
- Dry Towel
- Masking tape
- wax
- Sandpaper
- Primer
- Paint of your choice
- Clear Paint
Step 1 : Readying the Surface for the Primer
- Be sure to have the right tools to help you unscrew the bolts and nuts that hold the bumper to the vehicle. Note that most screws are visible, so you will not find it hard to remove them. Firstly, you need to detach the bumper from your vehicle.
- Just like you would any other surface, ensure you clean your bumper thoroughly using soap and water. Washing your bumper will remove unwanted particles such as dust and any other sticky substances. Let the bumper dry before proceeding to the next level.
- Consider getting rid of rust from the surface of your bumper if there is any. Mix an acidic solution with sodium carbonate (baking powder) and use it to remove rust from your bumper.
- The baking powder solution should remove the rust material on the surface of your bumper by dissolution.
- Use a clean towel to wipe the bumper. Once again, consider using soap and water to be sure the surface of your bumper is spot-free.
- At this point, you need to prepare the surface to improve its bonding ability with the Primer. Note that if you don’t prepare the surface of your chrome bumper properly, then your paint will peel off within a short period.
- Use appropriate sandpaper to smoothen the surface as much as you can. Consider using fine-grained sandpaper at this stage.
- Large-grained sandpaper will help smooth dents and ugly spots.
- Use fine-grained sandpaper to make the surface even and smoother.
- Be sure to achieve a smooth surface devoid of any scratches and unwanted dents.
- Because you want the paint to stick properly on your chrome bumper, it would be helpful to use a substance that will eliminate any unwanted blemishes n the surface of the chrome bumper.
- Apply wax on the surface of your bumper and wipe it off using a soft cloth.
- Shop for the most suitable grease or wax to apply on the surface of your bumper.
- There may be areas on your bumper which you might not want to paint. In this case, mask those parts with an appropriate covering material before you start your painting exercise.
Step 2 : Applying a Primer on the Chrome Bumper
- Select a good location for your project. Ensure the area you choose for the painting exercise is well ventilated because spray paint contains harmful substances. Be sure to have all the necessary supplies before you start any painting. Always put on your protective gear before you start spraying your paint.
- Spray 2-3 layers of your Primer on the surface of the chrome bumper. Be sure to use a primer with good bonding properties because you want your paint to stay on for a more extended period. Allow a significant amount of drying time in between the layers for an even finish.
- Consider doing light sanding on the Primer but be sure not to over-sand until you reach the metal. Note, you can only file on the Primer after it dried completely. You want a smooth and even surface before applying any paint on the surface of your chrome, so be sure to use fine-grained sandpaper at this point.
- On the off chance that you have done heavy sanding, you should consider reapplying the Primer on the areas affected.
- Dust away any unwanted particles on the surface of your chrome bumper using a clean and soft cloth. Note that you want to achieve a clean and even surface devoid of any contaminants.
- Consider using an appropriate cleaning substance to wipe any dust particles and impurities on the surface of your chrome bumper.
Step 3 : Actual Application of Paint on your Chrome Bumper
- You don’t want to do a shoddy painting job on your bumper, so you consider sharpening your painting skills, especially when using a spray gun. You should maintain a constant distance between the surface of your chrome bumper and the nozzle of your spray gun as you spray. A distance of about 15 centimeters is considered to be more appropriate in this context.
After spraying your paint, you may notice that some arrears contain raised spots. In that case, you can do a light sanding to level the surface for an even and smooth surface. - Be sure to spray at least three to four coats of the paint while allowing a sufficient drying time between the coats. You want to achieve a perfect finish, so consider applying even and consistent layers of your paint. Note that you should allow a sufficient amount of drying time for a single coat to dry before applying the subsequent coat.
- You might consider going through the instructions regarding drying time for a particular type of paint.
- You want to make your bumper look stunning, so you might want to spray layers of appropriate clear paint to get an attractive and consistent finish. Be sure to use up to a maximum of three coats on the surface of your chrome bumper to give you a clear finish.
- Note that applying a clear finish on the surface of your chrome bumper will also act as a protective layer against scratches and other environmental conditions.
- Now you are through with your painting project. Allow your chrome bumper a significant amount of drying time before fixing it to its position on your car. Be sure to let the paint dry before you start improving your bumper to the vehicle. Fasten the screws properly to ensure the bumper is firmly in its place
Consider getting rid of rust from the surface of your bumper if there is any. Mix an acidic solution with sodium carbonate (baking powder) and use it to remove rust from your bumper. Washing your bumper will remove unwanted particles such as dust and any other sticky substances. Enjoy your painting!