How to paint plastic / fiberglass ground effects?????

[pelco]

Does anyone know if it's neccessary to use a flex additive in the paint when painting plastic and fiberglass ground effects and body kits? I'm putting a fiberglass drift bumper on my '92 Talon which me and my dad are going to paint (we'll paint the rest of the car in the spring), but I'm affraid of cracking.

 

[98RedDragon]

hope to god that the fiberglass never flexes enough to crack the paint

 

[Thomas91169]

shouldnt be a problem. if you flex it enough fiberglass will crack before the paint does. as for plastic/urethane maybe a flexing compound wouldnt hurt, just give yourself a little added peace of mind. but just watch out for large curbs/speedbumps and you should be fine.

 

[pelco]

Actually, me and my dad have already noticed stress cracks in the fiberglass bumper (from Ground Dynamics) when we were sanding it. Even though its fiberglass, it's pretty flexable. I don't think I'll ever do anything to hurt my bumper but there's always that one stray shopping cart or old lady in a big Buick.....

 

[HighPsi92GST]

I personally have painted plastic/urethane bumpers without flex additive with no problems. Sure it helps if the bumper is moving around alot or if you like hitting stuff/pushing/pulling the bumper. But if your just going to mount it tight and go, shouldnt have any problems. As for fiberglass, as said the glass will crack before the paint usually. Spiderwebbing and stress cracks in the paint are usually from other problems, although not always.