Paint question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,320
Likes: 2
From: Salem Oregon
Paint question
I have not painted anything with the flex bumpers before, and am curious.
I hear with the flex additive on the bumpers, it is sometimes hard to get paint to match the rest of the car, so my question is:
What would happen if you put flex additive on the whole car?
:seeya
I hear with the flex additive on the bumpers, it is sometimes hard to get paint to match the rest of the car, so my question is:
What would happen if you put flex additive on the whole car?
:seeya
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 0
From: Hampton Georgia
Re: Paint question (Alwyn678)
Flex additive on the whole car wont hurt anything.You really dont need it at all with todays paints.For the most part todays paints are all urethanes,and that is what the rubber/urethane bumpers are made of.I have seen what you are talking about as far as the color not matching and I am not sure why that is.GM had a bad problem with that in the 80s.Part of the problem they were having is that they (for some reason) did not clear the bumpers but cleared everything else.My 88 had factory paint on it when I bought it.The bumpers didnt match and they were chalky flat when I bought it.Another problem with the bumpers is to not use alot of primer and it is best to use a urethane primer.Good luck! :seeya
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,653
Likes: 6
From: North Royalton, OH
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Re: Paint question (randy814u)
If I'm not too late to chime in here... :)
Use what the manufacturer suggests. There are many "urethanes" out there, and not all of them are flexible. Using one that cures to a very hard finish would be a mistake on a flexible bumper. I've never had a single problem with flex additive and color - but I don't use the same brand of paint that GM does! Not being able to match panel to panel is either the paint manufacturer's fault for not making a paint that will work for the use intended or the method of application - or both. Somehow, GM just hasn't gotten it right a few times (Copper Metallic, Aztec Gold, etc.), and as paintdaddy says, with some clears that dulled over time. Most of the problems in the late 80's were caused by the switch to waterborne materials in the base coats and their incompatibility with the clears. Today's products are far superior. good luck with your project! :cheers:
Use what the manufacturer suggests. There are many "urethanes" out there, and not all of them are flexible. Using one that cures to a very hard finish would be a mistake on a flexible bumper. I've never had a single problem with flex additive and color - but I don't use the same brand of paint that GM does! Not being able to match panel to panel is either the paint manufacturer's fault for not making a paint that will work for the use intended or the method of application - or both. Somehow, GM just hasn't gotten it right a few times (Copper Metallic, Aztec Gold, etc.), and as paintdaddy says, with some clears that dulled over time. Most of the problems in the late 80's were caused by the switch to waterborne materials in the base coats and their incompatibility with the clears. Today's products are far superior. good luck with your project! :cheers:
