Sinister-one

Please excuse my ignorance here...

I purchased a replacement OEM front bumper for my white FRC but the its red. I would like to do all or most of the sanding myself to remove ALL of the red paint before taking it to a paint shop.

What grit sand paper should I use ?


Thanks for the help !

DUB

PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING....so to speak

You are embarking on a task that will make you wish you bought a NEW front bumper cover. I know that I would not even begin to do it...and I do body and paint work. The reason being is that it is so easy to break through the factory primer down to the raw urethane...which can and usually does change the process of how it need to be prepped and primed prior to paint.

Having the bumper stripped with a media can also damage the surface...due to the materials that GM uses really bite really well into the urethane.

I wish you would have asked what to do prior to buying this used bumper cover. Not saying that you can not do it....but it will take a lot of time and precision sanding...and I mean A LOT OF TIME....only because I have done this BEFORE and refuse to do it again...unless the owner is will to pay for my time...which they will regret doing by the time all the smoke clears and I hit them with the bill.

You have to be careful in what grit because an aggressive grit will make it really hard on the body shop. I would use 500 grit wet. The only reason being me trying to tell you to use another grit that is coarser...you would have to know when to stop...so the 500 grit wet can remove those sand scratches.

DUB

zwede

Just curious, Dub... but if the red is factory paint, could he just roughen it up and then shoot white over it? Does it need to come off?

DUB

You are correct...BUT he wants it off...IF it is factory paint...it could be prepped and painted over. The issue there...which is something that I take into consideration when I had to use used parts in the past. Having a red bumper...then shooting it white. We all know it is going to get a chip...and then you look at a red spot...more than likely. This is why if I have to use used parts..(insurance B.S.)...If I can find it in black,,I go with that...due to being like the e-coat primer GM uses....and black will look OK with about any color if it is exposed because of a chip.

DUB

Sinister-one

I just want to do enough sanding to get as much of the red off as possible.
And it's the oem read paint.

Sinister-one

I was considering using 1000 - 1200 grit and wet sanding....

DUB

You will be there forever....or close to it....but do what you feel comfortable with.

DUB

Sinister-one

If as you stated before.... 500 grit will work just enough to get the red paint of, I'll go that route. I don't want to remove any of the primer below the paint.

13611

You won't... you'll still be at it for a while even with the 500. But, as DUB said above, wet sand it.

Sinister-one

Time to buy some sand paper and get after it !

DUB

Do not be surprised if you sand off your finger prints and your tips of your fingers bleed...if not others areas of your hands.

Just be patient and stay focused.

DUB

Sinister-one

Will do bud !! Thanks for the help. I'll post progress pics after I get started.