DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

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05-13-2012

TFMEX

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DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

So this is my first attempt at a DIY and it took me some research to find out how to "properly" prep and paint my urethane lip so I took some pictures as I went through the process and it came out really good so I figured I'd share what I did.

Materials Needed:
-Rubbing alcohol or wax / grease remover
-Adhesion Promoter
-Sandable Primer
-Auto Paint (whatever color you want)
-Clear Coat (I ended up using 2 cans)
-400 and 600 grit sandpaper
-Clean place to paint and associated materials like plastic if you're painting the parts off your car or painters tape and plastic to protect surrounding parts from over spray. I painted it off my car.

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1. Make sure the part you're going to install FITS!!!!! You don't want to do all this work and realize you need to make modifications. In my case the lip needed to be pre-fit and I did that before this process to have pilot holes drilled etc.

2. Prep your lip or other part by LIGHTLY sanding with 400 grit sandpaper. The goal is only scuff up the surface to assist with adhesion of the promoter and the primer.

3. Take the alcohol or wax / grease remover (I used alcohol) and wipe the surface clean. I wiped until my rag wasn't picking up black dust from sanding. Let dry (if using alcohol it's pretty fast)

4. Time to use the adhesion promoter! I hung my lip and made kind of a little spray booth (as you can see in the pic below) Use the promoter according to the directions on the can. I used dupicolor and I had to spray the primer within 10 minutes of the final coat of the promoter so make sure you READ the directions.

5. After the promoter (within 10 minutes of the final coat) I started the primer. I did 3 coats with 10 minutes in between. You need to make sure you make the primer thick enough so that when you sand it you don't remove it.
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6. TIME TO SAND AGAIN! When the primer dries (I waited about an hour) It%u2019s time to sand using the 600 Grit sandpaper. You can do this process wet or dry it doesn't matter. When performing this step all you're doing is prepping the surface for the best possible adhesion of the paint. When you're sanding make sure you don't sand too much and remove the primer or you need to re-spray it. I used the whole can (3 coats). It should look like this...
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7. Before painting the surface needs to be wiped down really well. I dry sanded then used a wet paper towel to clean off the sanding residue. After that I used a microfiber towel to make sure it was dry and everything was removed and ready for the paint!
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8. Time to paint according to the directions. I was lucky enough to find my matching color at Pepboys (also dupicolor) but there are places online that will color match according to your VIN / paint code as well as dealerships and other auto stores. Easiest and most consistent way is to spray. I did 5 coats (2 cans) I could have been fine with 3 but I wanted a nice thick coat!
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9. Time to spray the clear Coat. I sprayed 3 coats (1 can). Really the cans don't go too far but do the job. After 3 light coats you can use 1200 grit sandpaper and do 2 more coats if you want but I didn't. Let the clear coat sit and Cure for AT LEAST 24 HOURS. I'm wating for 48 hours to be sure. I didn't take any pictures of the clear coat because its..well... CLEAR!

EDIT: I ended up sanding after the first 3 coats and doing another 3 coats (2 cans total). I wanted to make sure the paint was protected.

I will post final pics this week when I completely finish. I need an alignment and don't fit on the rack with the lip on... So I'll take final pics this week. The total cost for everything was about $26. Cheaper than having a shop do it and I can redo it easily if it gets scratched.

Hopefully this helps someone. It took me a while to figure out what the best course of action was.

EDIT!

Here is the final product. Color match isnt perfect but in person you cant even tell.
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Last edited by TFMEX; 05-20-2012 at 03:03 PM.

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05-13-2012

MindBomber

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

Good work, dude!

+rep

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05-13-2012

iridehonda

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

Well done. I could have used this a year ago.

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05-14-2012

TFMEX

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MindBomber

Good work, dude!

+rep

Thanks!! Ill finish this totally by the end of the week.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iridehonda

Well done. I could have used this a year ago.

sorry.....

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05-14-2012

paulymcd7

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

i cant wait to see it installed im gonna get this lip soon!

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05-14-2012

krudmuphin

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulymcd7

i cant wait to see it installed im gonna get this lip soon!

Wow, ever since Pearlvic got this lip, it seems like every EM2 owner is getting it

If I just want to make mine blacker would I need to go through such rigorous steps to achieve a decent finish? It's not like I'm matching paint or anything...

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05-15-2012

TFMEX

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

its not all about the finish. its due the the flexibility of the urethane. The adhesion promoter helps to prevent cracking of the paint if it flexes. I would do at least these steps to get decent adhesion and prevent it from flaking in 2 days.

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05-15-2012

paulymcd7

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by krudmuphin

Wow, ever since Pearlvic got this lip, it seems like every EM2 owner is getting it

If I just want to make mine blacker would I need to go through such rigorous steps to achieve a decent finish? It's not like I'm matching paint or anything...

ive wanted it for a while i saw it on ebay in like february ive always loved them even back in middle school with need for speed carbon id always make the lip stick out as far as possible lol and its an es1 thank you very much

..will the lip still fit an es1?

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05-17-2012

krudmuphin

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulymcd7

..will the lip still fit an es1?

Woops, 'scuse me, ES1

And if you have the 04-05 front bumper, then yes, it will definitely fit. You have the same car as TFMEX essentially, just not under the hood.

And thanks for the paint tip, T!

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05-17-2012

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vi3tx13oy

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

nice! does this work for abs lip also?

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05-20-2012

#11

TFMEX

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

Yes it works for ABS as well. When I get my side skirts I will be doing this again!

Also I added the Final Pic installed.

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05-24-2012

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krudmuphin

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

Looks very nice. If I were you, I would've painted the middle section of the mounting flange black to make it look like an air passage above the lip instead of a silver blockage. Does that even make sense?

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05-25-2012

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

ugh no. that would look weird lol.... i think it looks like it belongs this way. im trying to keep it clean and not look like a "tuner"

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07-02-2012

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

Does anyone know if the front bumper off the 04-05 style civic fit on the 03 style civic. I like the styling of the the 04-05 bumper alot more.

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07-02-2012

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woosterman1982

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

same question for the rear bumper as well

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07-18-2012

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Re: DIY: Polyurethane Preping and Painting (Body kits etc.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by woosterman1982

Does anyone know if the front bumper off the 04-05 style civic fit on the 03 style civic. I like the styling of the the 04-05 bumper alot more.

Take a good look at the front bumper of the 04-05 and another at the 03 and then ask yourself if it looks like it will fit.

Rear bumpers are exchangeable.