Painting my bumper?

[Two Fowty]

Okay, I got a new bumper, cause mine is messed up, but I need to paint it.

It is currently aztec red, and I'm needing it cherry red.

I know how to sand it, and all that, so that's not an issue.

I went to a local auto store and had them mix me the color I need. They set me up with what I'd need to paint it, but I honestly have no idea how to use any of this.

I'm just doing a single stage coating.

What I got:acrylic enamel cherry red paintacrylic enamel catalystmedium reducerseveral mixing sticksseveral paper funnels with screens at the bottom

I can easily get ahold of a spray gun, which is what I need, but as far as using all these, I'm completely lost. The paint can says mix in a 8-1-2 ratio, 8 parts paint, 1 part catalyst, and 2 parts (25%) reducer.I assume I do this in the mixing cup, but what unit of measurement should I use as a 'part'? There are several different ratio charts on the cup, but the only one that is close is a 8:1:1 ratio.. and i dont get the why it says 25% on the reducer. it's just all confusing.

Any help from you guys who know how to use this stuff will be greatly appreciated. I dont wanna mess up the first time because it was kinda expensive. Details will be nice.

Thanks

Modified by Two Fowty at 3:58 PM 6/19/2009

Modified by Two Fowty at 4:08 PM 6/19/2009
Modified by Two Fowty at 4:59 PM 6/19/2009

[1SickSilvia]

It dosent matter which numbers you look at on the cup just make sure you measure according to the measurment ratios. I usually use the oz. measurement cause its easyer to read cause its bigger than the reat. I have one suggestion though, make sure you stir it well. Thats one of the major factors why some peoples paint jobs dont turn out well. Good luck with your project.

[Two Fowty]

okay thanks, can i do the whole can of paint at once? just to have it ready, even if i dont use it all?

and so i just mix them, load the paint gun, and go at it?

also do i need to primer first? ill be sanding down the old paint till its smooth and then painting.

[n240sxfnatic]

I usually jut mix it in the gun, and no you dont need to primer bc its a plastic bumper. The only time you need primer is to cover up bare metal.

[Two Fowty]

I usually jut mix it in the gun, and no you dont need to primer bc its a plastic bumper. The only time you need primer is to cover up bare metal.

ahh thanks, never knew that.. whats something good to measure our these ratios and stuff, cause its only like.. a quart of paint, i estimate, there's nothing on the can saying how much.. so yea..

[zach-Ka]

I collision repair we used a paint mixing stick and just marked on it how much of each was needed and then pored accordingly.

[Two Fowty]

I collision repair we used a paint mixing stick and just marked on it how much of each was needed and then pored accordingly.

well they gave me several mixing sticks, but they are just wood. not marked or anything.. since im wanting an 8:1:2 ratio of liquids, do i just mark, say, a line at 8cm up the stick, and then one more, and then 2 more.. and poor accordingly?

[zach-Ka]

Yeah, first make a mark for full on the stick. Then divide that into eleven equal parts. Then from there you just put 8 parts color, 1 part reducer, and 2 parts hardener. Or whatever the ratio is. lol