mdm1

I just installed front and rear Tru Flex bumpers on my 75 Corvette. I am in the process of getting estimates on having them painted. Can someone please tell me the proper procedure to prep, prime and paint these bumpers? They came with a black gel coat on them. Specifically what type of primer should be used? I have been reading that 2K primer can be used. Also should a flexing agent be used in the top coat? My shop wants to use a base coat clear coat, is this acceptable? I called Wilcox Corvette Parts where I purchased the bumpers but they were not to helpful. Thanks for any replies.

Redwing01

There is no need for a flex agent to be added with the tru flex bumpers.

Easy Mike

Follow the advice of your painter. You are paying for his/her expertise.

Vette5.5

Modern base/clear coat paints are pretty flexible, so really not a problem. If using older rock hard lacquer, you're wanting to add some flex agent. Not sure if you've seen this stuff, but looks like watery blue contact cement. Generally, only a small amount is needed.

mdm1

Thank you for the info, I called Toledo Bumpers and they said to use a polyester primer and that a base coat clear coat is fine. What grit sand paper would you suggest to use to wet sand the bumpers?

mrmagrath

Dry sand them with 400. We are talking pre-painting?

earthquake68

400 is what I would use to scuff it up.

THE ONLY use for a flex agent is to keep the paint flexible long enough to install a flex bumper on the vehicle if it was painted OFF the vehicle. You are wasting money if you use flex additive on an installed part. It evaporates completely out of the paint in 48 hours. That's what the PPG rep told me years ago.

orourke

I second that.

AdamMeh

Exactly! Well said. Been trying to tell people that for years

mdm1

Yes, we are talking about pre-painting. How many coats of primer would be sufficient? The bumpers are installed but I am thinking about taking them off to prime and paint then re-install. Thanks for any additional suggestions

Vette5.5

Don't agree at all, on the mention of flex agent evaporating out. The stuff is basically a rubber glue, and not going anywhere. Found this out at an early age, when my mother was always backing into things in her 70's car with impact bumpers. Replacing the impact parts using basic lacquer paint would crack up. Not a problem with flex agent added.

AdamMeh

I have been told about the flex agent by 3 different sources over the years. One a professional body man who owns his own shop and has for years, the second is the owner of a automotive paint supply store and the third was a rep from Dupont. I'll trust those sources.

Adam

stinger12

Listen to your painter.

ramair_bryan

Listen to your mother......

earthquake68

You don't want to load up layers of paint on a car. The thinner the paint, the more flexible it stays. Two coats primer, just enough base to cover completely and two coats clear.

If you remove the bumpers, that's not a bad idea. Be sure to scuff the edges where the parts bolt on. That way the paint won't chip off the seam years later. (ask me how I know)

If you think the flex additive stays in the paint, you don't have enough experience with it. Plain and simple.

mrmagrath

Go to the top of this page, click on the arrow next to "Forums", select "General Corvette", and down the bottom of the list, you'll see the "Paint/Body" forum. All you need to know can be found there, especially from a guy called DUB. He's the Lars of Corvette paint in my opinion.

mdm1

Thanks guys for the great info. I think that I am going to take the bumpers off to prime and paint.