Cavalier Plastic Bumper?

Hey there. I'm new to this so I'm asking a question.

My boyfriend has been struggling to keep up with his college bills and hasn't quite had the time to do anything to the outside of his car.

For his birthday I'd like to do something about the plastic bumper on his Cavalier(1996).

I saw some paint in the local automotive shop, and was wondering if I could paint the bumper with that?

Or something I could do with it.

I'm pretty handy with a set of tools and I'm talented when it comes to art. I just never combined either set of skills to cars so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also I'm great when it comes to following directions. =)

[kirkwood158]

well to get it going Have you decided that all you need is paint and if so the color of the paint is located in the tire cover area . lift tire cover and find last numbers on list of many and you should be close to the color of the car as many years of oxidation and normal road wear have changed it from original. Fresh paint is nice . Plastic is one of the hardest to paint you can read more in one of the books at auto stores and on line but it is hard work requiring much sanding ,priming and finally paint. A good job if done is really an all day job to 2 day job just for one bumper and good weather needed and if your lucky no bugs . Bugs love paint .
Any ways look around you can find some good post and info on paint and some paint is better than others some require many coats and lots of effort.....good luck

[Helmuth48]

Are you going to paint it using a spray can or do you have a paint gun with an air compressor ??
Kirkwood158 has you going in the correct direction. I work for a company that paints plastic front/rear fascia bumper assemblies for the Big 3. Much more attention to cleaning and preparation than metal is required.
Do your homework and locate some books or reference mateiral before doing this.
You are pretty cool to help your boyfriend to fix up his car. That would be a great gift for his BD.

I can not get my girl friend to clean up her trash she leaves in my car. Good Luck !!!!
JzJzz

[Classicrocjunkie]

Your going to have soo much prep work to do with one of those its not even funny. Those bumpers have a textured finish. The painted bumpers from the factory are smooth. So either you have to sand everything down smooth or live with texture painted bumpers or buy a new smooth bumper

[jakegday]

or you could check junkyards, cavaliers are pretty popular cars, just find one the same color with no damage to the bumper covers

[seth135]

I don't know if it's too late, but i painted both of my bumpers today with black krylon paint that i got at advanced. They should sell it just about anywhere, but it bonds to plastic. It looks pretty good, and goes on without sanding or priming. I've used two coats so far and gotten it somewhat smooth.

[Helmuth48]

Hey missus...Ace !!!...that is cool....But if you never prepped it ( clean, sand, clean, prime..etc)...Stay away from the High Pressure Car washes...I am sure it will blow right off !!!

Cheers, I am sure the bloke will be happy...but also include a slab of the Amber fluid for his BD.

JzJzz ....and the Man from Down Under....