Fixing my fiance's escort (bumper and back up light filler panel)
#1
Fixing my fiance's escort (bumper and back up light filler panel)
So a few months back my fiance got rear ended on the freeway, more like nudged by someone when they switched lanes, regardless it was his fault and her bumper and back up light filler panel got messed up. We opted not to fix it through insurance and just take cash from the guy. Its a 98 escort and it wasnt worth enough to make a claim, plus it may have "totalled" it. She's happy with the mileage, its a 98 with 80,000 miles on it at 35 mpg, not bad. So she didnt want it totalled. So I browsed ebay and local junkyards here and there and picked up the parts for about $100.00. luckily it was just the bumper cover that was messed up and not the subframe. I went out and bought myself a paint gun and some paint from wesco.
Go easy on the critique, its my first time with a real compressed air paint gun, and mixing reducers and whatnot. I usually rattle can my stuff.
The filler panel installed, I was dumb and didnt take a before pic of it, it was originally white. Got it off ebay for $25.00
[IMG]http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o315/wilsnwbord4food/002-1.jpg
[/IMG]
The broken one.
The bumper is still messed up.
Theres a little bit of cracking under the clear coat. not enough to re paint though, Im not painting a 67 mustang.
Close up on the bumper.
I picked this up at the junkyard for $75.00.
Ive sanded it smooth and already painted it as well, but it needed a couple more coats of clear and it should be done tomorrow so I'll get some pics of that when its done. Its in my dads garage drying, otherwise id take some really quick. I wish my apartment had a garage.
Go easy on the critique, its my first time with a real compressed air paint gun, and mixing reducers and whatnot. I usually rattle can my stuff.
The filler panel installed, I was dumb and didnt take a before pic of it, it was originally white. Got it off ebay for $25.00
[IMG]http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o315/wilsnwbord4food/002-1.jpg
[/IMG]
The broken one.
The bumper is still messed up.
Theres a little bit of cracking under the clear coat. not enough to re paint though, Im not painting a 67 mustang.
Close up on the bumper.
I picked this up at the junkyard for $75.00.
Ive sanded it smooth and already painted it as well, but it needed a couple more coats of clear and it should be done tomorrow so I'll get some pics of that when its done. Its in my dads garage drying, otherwise id take some really quick. I wish my apartment had a garage.
#2
#4
How much experience do you have painting? I'm no painter, but my roommate is a professional painter and he said often times the paint cracking after laying down the clear coat is caused by not letting the paint flash correctly before you clear it. Although I'm sure if you are an experienced painter then its probably something else causing it.
#6
letting the paint 'flash' is just another way of saying dry.....sort of. When the paint has 'flashed' all the brightness and wet look will be gone. Initially when the color is layed down it has that wet look to it, but once it has flashed it will begin to look dull....... Once the paint has flashed is when you want to lay the clear down. I guess being able to tell exactly when the paint has flashed comes with experience. I've seen my roommate paint quite a few cars and I must admit, I couldn't tell when the paint had completely flashed.
If you understand how I'm explaining it though, I bet you could get the cracking to stop.
If you understand how I'm explaining it though, I bet you could get the cracking to stop.
#8
Hmm, It seemed like it was cured enough and the shine was gone, I let it dry over night, and then some. Could the temperature effect that in any way? Like it being too cold and maybe taking longer than normal? I guess I should paint a few more things before I try painting anything for my truck.
Jimmeh- Thats got to be one pimped escort... "here let me flex it on this pebble"
Jimmeh- Thats got to be one pimped escort... "here let me flex it on this pebble"
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#10
Thats the rear bumper.... but that was only 6 bolts so im sure the front comes off just as easy. that should give me 3 inches or so. I might get some bigger tires and try flexing the curb.
#13
#14
It's done! The sub frame is a little bit tweaked, but i think its an 85% improvement from what it looked like before. heres some pics of during and after.
This is my first time attempting and body repair so Im pretty happy with how it turned out. Keep in mind it only cost $250.00 for parts and supplies. I think its a pretty good fix for that price.
This is my first time attempting and body repair so Im pretty happy with how it turned out. Keep in mind it only cost $250.00 for parts and supplies. I think its a pretty good fix for that price.
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