Best way to repaint the front spoiler?

[Jay 535i]

I'd like to repaint my front spoiler so that it's glossy like the rest of the car, rather than matte as it is now.

Is that a reasonable DIY job? What's the best way to go about it?

To be clear, here's the part I want to repaint:

http://www.moniqueandjay.com/987.jpg

[Jay 535i]

would seem pointless excersise on a black car, better on a coloured car so the black bumper matches the car colour...my 2 cents

I understand your point, but IMHO making that spoiler glossy causes it to catch the light differently, filling out the car's appearance from the front and even making it look lower by drawing attention to the spoiler.

You may think it's silly. That's fine. No doubt the difference will be minimal, but I think this is one of those things that can be a very inexpensive and tangible improvement to the car's looks.

[slip]

I understand your point, but IMHO making that spoiler glossy causes it to catch the light differently, filling out the car's appearance from the front and even making it look lower by drawing attention to the spoiler.

You may think it's silly. That's fine. No doubt the difference will be minimal, but I think this is one of those things that can be a very inexpensive and tangible improvement to the car's looks.

i have a black car and i've been thinking of painting that for ages... front and back. i've seen some cars with it painted and it looks Great (especially with corner splitters).

So yeah, if anybody has any tips or tricks for painting, i'm all ears.

Thanks

[Qube]

a good prime and then since it's an 'easy' color... grab some Krylon Fusion black, wait for it to dry fully, then overcoat with glossy.

[Alexlind123]

You will probably want to take the bumper cover off during the painting process and mask the rest of the bumper off. I know that special "bumper paint" is avalable that is specially made to stick well to bumper plastics.

[Dash01]

If it were mine, I'd by a ~$15 spray can of SEM Chip Guard, in black, and respray the spoiler with that. No more rock chips or sandblasting.

[liquidtiger720]

I understand your point, but IMHO making that spoiler glossy causes it to catch the light differently, filling out the car's appearance from the front and even making it look lower by drawing attention to the spoiler.

You may think it's silly. That's fine. No doubt the difference will be minimal, but I think this is one of those things that can be a very inexpensive and tangible improvement to the car's looks.


I think you are getting a hand of my...small but noticeable improvements. ;)

[Alexlind123]

I would describe them as small nut unconsciously noticable details. They improve the overall appearance of the car without drawing attention to themselves.

[Jon K]

I would describe them as small nut unconsciously noticable details. They improve the overall appearance of the car without drawing attention to themselves.


Small nuts?

[fkong777]

you can diy paint for that area. I painted a front lip spoiler on my other cars.

Prep the surface and tape off area you dont want painted.

Get some Gloss black spray paint Practice painting so you will have a somewhat glossy finish. Good way is to have the spray can about 3-5 inch away from the surface.. Move the spray in one uniform spray motion. Try not to have too much overlapping coverage. Do not lay down too much paint or it will drip. Get down a good 3 coat on.

After the paint fully cures. You will prob see uneven coverage. Wet sand it with 1500 -2000 grid sand paper. dont freak.. the paint will look dull after sanding. However it will be smooth.

Use some Meguiars scratch X and rub the paint until you see it shinny again. Note: Scratch X is not a wax on wax off product.. You have to use some muscle but totally safe even on your oem paint.

If you have a portercable buffer, use ColorX to get the shine back from wet sand.

[Jay 535i]

Thanks!

Some very differing solutions here. Has anyone actually done this with good results? How'd you do it?

[skr]

i did mine , but i did in in matte black, to match the rest of the trim. i had some dings and 3 holes DRILLED in it by the PO for no obvious reason. I used epoxy on the dings and holes, sandpaperd it to a nice smooth surface, some more epoxy on deep scratches, sandpapered it again cleaned it up nicely and then off to the paint "facility". I had the bumper off at the time to manufacture one of the foglight holders and some other stuff. It had taken some serious beating from the PO as it had only one fog, wich wasn't the right kind of fog anyway and none of the covers.
For painting i used my grandpa's compressor and a small nozzle spray gun, but it could be done just as well with a spraycan. Didn't get it just right the first time, so i sanded it with 2500 grit and did 3 flashed layers 10 minutes apart. It turned out lovely. no marks, no drips, no nothing.
Be sure to mask the rest of the paint well and don't spray too closely or too far away. try to stay in the 4-6 inch interval if u use a can.
Hope this helps u in some way. It's an easy job and i'm sure you will do it with succes. post some pics when u are done.
Oh, and by the way, i think it's not even by far useless. Those small things add to the general aspect of the car. Useless whould be painting the washer fluid reservoir black to match all other black plastic around. But i just didn't like it that way :)

[Jay 535i]

i did mine , but i did in in matte black, to match the rest of the trim. i had some dings and 3 holes DRILLED in it by the PO for no obvious reason. I used epoxy on the dings and holes, sandpaperd it to a nice smooth surface, some more epoxy on deep scratches, sandpapered it again cleaned it up nicely and then off to the paint "facility". I had the bumper off at the time to manufacture one of the foglight holders and some other stuff. It had taken some serious beating from the PO as it had only one fog, wich wasn't the right kind of fog anyway and none of the covers.
For painting i used my grandpa's compressor and a small nozzle spray gun, but it could be done just as well with a spraycan. Didn't get it just right the first time, so i sanded it with 2500 grit and did 3 flashed layers 10 minutes apart. It turned out lovely. no marks, no drips, no nothing.
Be sure to mask the rest of the paint well and don't spray too closely or too far away. try to stay in the 4-6 inch interval if u use a can.
Hope this helps u in some way. It's an easy job and i'm sure you will do it with succes. post some pics when u are done.
Oh, and by the way, i think it's not even by far useless. Those small things add to the general aspect of the car. Useless whould be painting the washer fluid reservoir black to match all other black plastic around. But i just didn't like it that way :)

Thanks.

Yeah, I agree it's not useless.

Okay, looks like I'll start with the matte stuff after a good priming, and keep some fine sandpaper on hand in case it doesn't come out quite right. Then go over it with glossy clear.

Sound good?

[skr]

Yea, but why apply matte if u want glossy? Just use glossy black after the priming .

[Jay 535i]

Yea, but why apply matte if u want glossy? Just use glossy black after the priming .

Don't ask me why. I'm asking you why!

Qube suggested the two-step process.

[skr]

The "two-step proces" qube suggested is aplyable if u use krylon fusion, wich is a special paint, and they don't make it glossy.

"Krylon Fusion Paint is the first no-prep, superbond paint for most thermoplastics, PVC, hard vinyl, as well as hard urethanes used for prototyping. No sanding or priming is required. Krylon Fusion Paint dries in 15 minutes, and is able to be used for interior and exterior applications. It is available in a wide range of colors.

Directions for use:
Remove all loose particles and apply to dry surface. For new or unweathered surfaces, wipe down with a standard paint thinner. For aged or weathered surfaces, wipe with an ammonia based cleaner."

if u use krylon that's da way to go. if not primer and glossy black should do the job. I never used krylon but i heard is very resistent to all kind of stuff.

[Jay 535i]

Okay, cheers. :)