Hi, paint question

[Monkeywinky]

hey, i'm new here cuz i just checked out a civic today. its a 2000 ex. the guy just got a paint job a while ago but i notice a nice big crack near the front where the wheel is. i was wondering how to fix this, could i just sand it out and repaint it or something? the car is black btw. thanks. i'll post a pic as soon as i actually pick up the car monday.

[E Honda]

Most paint jobs have a warranty,,Contact the person you got the car from and see if he will assist you in getting the warranty to fix it.Unless of course its obvious that it happend from an accident or by the hand of another.
Good Luck....

E.Honda

[01CivicEX]

Monkeywinky, fixing a crack is a lot easier than you would initially think. I remember last January I was in a rush to get to school and my dad had driven my Civic the night before. He had adjusted the seat so while I was rushing, I was trying to adjust the seat. Not surprisingly, throttle and clutch control become extremely difficult in a moving seat. I know, I'm a dummy. I went to fast backing up and bumped into my metal basket-ball hoop.
The paint on the bumper was cracked. So I bought some 320-grit sandpaper, sandable primer spray, and classic lacquer clear coat. I couldn't find the matching paint in a spray can (always use spray products!) so I had this guy I know mix the paint for Satin Silver Mettalic.
So sand the area down until you can brush your hand around the area and not feel any difference in the surface. Then cover up the non-sanded area with newspaper and spray a layer of primer on. Let it dry for a while then sand the primer.
Now the next steps you have to do all-together. You can drive around for weeks with primer on your car but the painting and clear coat must be put on together. Now take a scratch pad and scratch around the area. Paint won't stick unless the surface is scratched.
Then spray in a back-and-forth motion with the paint over the area and a little bit outside the area. Let it dry for 30 min. Do it again but this time extend the spray a little bit more outside the area to blend in the color. Do this one more time or two, and let it dry.
Now take the clear coat and spray on any area you sprayed paint on.
Your result should look almost professional ( I couldn't even tell I had a scatch afterwards) and it will all cost you only about $25. If you feel like doing the work, it's well worth the money.

[Monkeywinky]

beautiful, but whats this scratch pad you speak of, and where do i buy the spray? its just black so no biggie there... thanks a lot!

[01CivicEX]

Well since you say its black, then you probably will be able to find the same matching color in a spray can. On my car with Satin Silver Metallic they only had it in a small liquid container, which I was not going to apply to my car. Just to make sure, check the exterior paint code by opening up your driver's side door and look at the stickers in the doorjamb. Then go to like a Pep Boys or Autozone or some place and find the paint section. Match up the code to the spray cans they have; you should be able to find black. The scratch pad I'm talking about was given to me by a friend, but I'm sure if you ask someone at Pep Boys they might be able to find one. Good luck if you are up to the task.

[BumperPoop]

Will sanding be okay on my front plastic bumper?? I'm worried because it's plastic and might not be a smooth enough finish.

Originally Posted by 01CivicEX

Monkeywinky, fixing a crack is a lot easier than you would initially think. I remember last January I was in a rush to get to school and my dad had driven my Civic the night before. He had adjusted the seat so while I was rushing, I was trying to adjust the seat. Not surprisingly, throttle and clutch control become extremely difficult in a moving seat. I know, I'm a dummy. I went to fast backing up and bumped into my metal basket-ball hoop.
The paint on the bumper was cracked. So I bought some 320-grit sandpaper, sandable primer spray, and classic lacquer clear coat. I couldn't find the matching paint in a spray can (always use spray products!) so I had this guy I know mix the paint for Satin Silver Mettalic.
So sand the area down until you can brush your hand around the area and not feel any difference in the surface. Then cover up the non-sanded area with newspaper and spray a layer of primer on. Let it dry for a while then sand the primer.
Now the next steps you have to do all-together. You can drive around for weeks with primer on your car but the painting and clear coat must be put on together. Now take a scratch pad and scratch around the area. Paint won't stick unless the surface is scratched.
Then spray in a back-and-forth motion with the paint over the area and a little bit outside the area. Let it dry for 30 min. Do it again but this time extend the spray a little bit more outside the area to blend in the color. Do this one more time or two, and let it dry.
Now take the clear coat and spray on any area you sprayed paint on.
Your result should look almost professional ( I couldn't even tell I had a scatch afterwards) and it will all cost you only about $25. If you feel like doing the work, it's well worth the money.

[01CivicEX]

Both the front and rear bumpers of the Civic are plastic and are very easy to sand down. I fixed a scratch on my plastic bumper and it turned out great. Just make sure when you're sanding you sand a big area so that if you run your hand across the bumper, you can't feel any dips.

[BumperPoop]

with everyone's advice plus some books i checked out from the library... i'm going to try to fix my bumper this weekend!!! yay!!! i will tell you how it goes!

[01CivicEX]

just make sure you blend the color

[BumperPoop]

Originally Posted by 01CivicEX

just make sure you blend the color

you mean... make sure the color is matched? i have a 1999 light silver metallic. i'm sure they will have the color at autozone or something, right?