Duplicolor to re-spray my beater's bumper--worthwhile?

When I bought my beater 2000 Civic DX sedan (in lovely green), I was unaware of the ghetto-ass paint job the front bumper was re-sprayed with. I knew it was re-sprayed, but I didn't care because beater.

What I didn't expect was for it to chip off in MASSIVE chunks to the point where the bumper is now more exposed ABS than it is paint.

Since it's a beater with 172k on it, I have no intention of paying a shop to do it, but I'm wondering if I could Edd China it with some careful masking, etching primer, a couple of cans of Duplicolor green and some clear.

I'm not looking for perfection--I just want it to look less "assy" than it does now.

Thoughts???

it will probably flake off in a couple of years...

I re-sprayed a Caprice bumper years ago. Color change from burgundy to white. Didn't flake or spiderweb until people backed into me. And I really didn't do a good prep job, either. How "squishy" are Honda bumpers? That might make a big difference. The Caprice's were quite stiff.

I recommend finding an auto paint store nearby. They can mix up a quality paint and stick it in a spray can for you. Most paint codes are available in a water base paint that won't require a clear coat. It works very well and will last.

The problem won't be the paint, it's the prep. Plastics need a flex agent in the mix otherwise the paint will spiderweb and crack no matter how good it is.

That being said I've had good luck with Duplicolor stuff and it's cheaper than the $24/can auto body shop stuff...

You should be able to find a can of adhesion promoter or flexible bumper paint at any local parts store. That stuff should help with getting the paint to stick to the bumper.

If the paint is coming off in big sections, the problem is poor prep. It usually means the mold release agent wasn't properly removed. You'll need to strip the rest of the paint (spray can of plastic paint stripper) and then thoroughly clean the bumper before painting. Etching primer is good to help promote adhesion. Duplicolor will work, but a paint with flex agent would be better. Any NAPA or Sherwin-Williams auto paint store should have what you need.

I think Hondas have a pretty flexible bumper...

OK--maybe I'll look into the paint store option. If it's the difference of $20, then I don't care.

I think my wife would appreciate not riding around in a hooptie.

Funny thing is, the rest of the car still shines up beautifully. It's one of the nicer 2000 sedans out there, IMHO.

Roll on bedliner for bumpers works good