Can anyone tell me what the process would be to paint a flexible rear bumper cover on my 2001 Subaru? It is brand new and never painted. Would prefer to use PPG products, names and part numbers would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

First is the bumper raw plastic or is it primed?
Each take different prep methods according to PPG.

The bumper cover is unprimered raw smooth as a babies rump black plastic

Well since you didnt state that condition the bumper is in, raw, primed or reconditioned OEM. I guess I can do a prep on each one as I have nothing better to do :(

For a raw plastic the first step is you need to wash it with warm water and soap. this will remove any mold agent still on the sumper. If you fail to remove the agent you are wasting your time and money.

Once washed the next step is too apply a plastic cleaner and prep. Is under the specialty label with a part number of SXA 1004. It comes in spray bomb form. Yu need to break down the bumper in three areas and clean each area first before going to the next. Spray the cleaner on one spot then take a clean dry cloth a wipe dry. When wiping dry wipe in one direction, dont wipe in a back and forth fasion. Wipe it clean to the side that you will clean next, you want to wipe to the areas you havent cleaned yet.

Say you are starting on the left hand side or dirvers side, you wipe from left to right NOT RIGHT TO LEFT.

Ok once done with the cleaner you need to apply an anti static product. This will remove any staic that has built up on the raw plastic. The number is DX 103. Once again divide into 3 areas and clean each one first before going to the next, also wipe dry in the same direction.

Once done with that NOW you can start spraying. You have two choices for a primer on plastics, sx 1050 or DPX801. 801 is more of a unversial product, we have both products but I prefer the 801 due to I can use it on more applications then 1050. The DPX801 should be a RTS product if not then it mixes 1:1 with DT reducer. Spray one wet coat on cover.

Something to note and REMEMBER the time frame you apply the SXA 1004 and shoot the coat of sx1050 or 801 should be no more then 30 mins.

Once the plastic primer has flashed 30 mins you need to spray a sealer on the cover. We use k36, mixed in the ratio of 4:2:2:1. 4-k36, 2-dcx8, 2-dcc tint, 1-dt reducer. Apply one wet coat allow flash time 20 mins then apply your basecoat.

For a OEM primed cover, once again wash with warm soapy water. Once done Wet sand with 500 grit. After wet sanding wipe clean with a surface cleaner like DX330. Since the bumper is primed you dont really need the plastic primers, you can just seal and paint.

For a OEM recon bumper, bumper that is a OEM bumper that has been fixed, most are primed with a water borne primer. Once again wash then dry. But this time you can just scuff up with a red scrothbrite pad as this water borne primer sands easy unlike those OEM bumpers that are a MOFO :mad:

Once done with the scuffing clean with the dx330. On these recon bumpers we dont seal just paint, we seal the new OEM cause they sand hard and for a just incase that sealer helps adhesion.

You can also add a flex agent to the clear coat which will keep the clear flexible while you are putting it back on. Ive never added the flex agent to any bumper Ive paintd, althou its a good idea...Eric