Thread: JDM Bumper installed...now for paint

Ok, so I'm a complete dummy when it comes to anything that has to do with bodywork and painting.

I've finally installed the Sunny 2-fog I've had sitting around for 5 years, so I need to get it painted. I'm not particularly interested in doing it myself, but if there's decent cost savings in doing the prep myself, I think I can handle that part.

What's the best way to do this? Take the whole car in to a shop? Bring in just the bumper? I'm leaning towards the latter because I don't want overspray all over my shit, but I don't know how they would color match if I did that. Also, what should I expect to pay?

I would take the bumper as is to a body shop. They can match the paint and paint it off the car. Then you can install it, this will save some labor. If you wanted anything else painted just take the car in.

The prep is the most important part and if you want it to turn out nice you need to do it well.

So you think I should take it off of the car? I can do that really easily. And if prep is that important I'll leave it to a pro.

What am I looking at price wise for something like this? $200? $300?

Most body shops do not want a car sitting around, if it is just a bumper and they fit it in during the down time you might get a deal. Plus your car is not tied up. I would guess around that price.

In my experience, if you take it somewhere to get painted, they will usually install it too for not much more, plus they will have the car physically there to match the paint better.