Auto body repair & detailing: Repairing scrapes on plastic body parts, hvlp spray guns, jaguar s type

Question
QUESTION: Hi-

I have a 05 Jaguar S-type.  I pulled over a high curb and resulted in about 6 deep scrapes at the bottom of the front bumper in two places.  When I bought the car, a rocker panel has long scratches/scrapes (also plastic).  I'm considering repairing these areas myself (some body repair experience; also have a compressor).  I'm thinking I could repaint/clearcoat the entire rocker panel (about 5 inches high and 6 feet long)so I'm not concerned so much about a perfect paint match.  Could I expect the front bumper repair to match perfectly?  I hate to pay $300-400 for such minor repair.

ANSWER: Hi Michael,

Bumpers hardly ever match perfectly. Even vehicles straight off the showroom floor still in many cases have bumpers that don't match the rest of the car very well. What you can do is blend the base color in on the bumper and clear coat the whole bumper. That way you don't have a change in color on the whole bumper just where the paint is needed. By isolating the painted area the fender on the undamaged side of the car should match as well as it ever did. Body shops hardly ever paint a whole bumper unless they are replacing it. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Gary

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks.  How about types/grades of sandpaper?  I found several HVLP spray guns in the $50 to $125 range which includes 2 guns and a couple of nozzles.  Any recommendations on guns and paint sources?  Thanks again.

Answer
You will need to sand your bumper with a fairly fine grit. I would use  320 grit to feather out the damage. Prime then wet sand your primer with 600 grit. You will need a 1.4 nozzle to spray your base color and clear, and a 1.6 - 1.8 to spray your primer. I would look for a DeVilbiss Spraygun set like a part # 802343. This kit comes with 2 guns (1.4 & 1.8) and also has an extra tip (1.5). This kit sells for around $130.00 and they seem to spray really good. I have sold them for the last year or so and I have had good customer feedback. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Gary