I backed into an extending piece of metal. Too low to see and small enough to put all the crash pressure on one point. Big big dint, boot is totalled though still works. Bumper also so dinted it looks like it should be a big gash.

I found replacements at scrap, can anyone tell me if, with time and effort, it is possible for me to do a good job by buying the replacements and respraying myself. I really can't afford to get the job proffessionaly done.

Only the boot and bumpre are damaged, no structural damage.

Cheers

Well how can we answer that? It all depends how good you are and that depends on what patience youve got! It also depends on what you consider to be a reasonable job!
Basically, in a nutshell............. It DEPENDS:slayer:

I can be patient and careful. I'm confident my spraying skills are up to scratch. But what I mean is if I really try can i get as good (or close) a result from a spray can and laquer etc. as if I took it to a paintshop?

Some people will tell you no you cant but i can. So if i can, i see no reason why you cant! Try not to use the cans from halfrauds as the spray nozzle just gives you a direct hit on the panel and you dont want that. Go to your local auto paint outlet and get your paint from there, not only does it usually work out cheaper but the nozzle on the cans tend to be alot closer to a gun nozzle and so give a better finish.
Also, try using a hair dryer or a heat gun in the other hand, i find sometimes this can work well too.

Cheers.

The part is already a similar colour (light metalic blue - my car's silver). Do you think I'll still have to do a bare metal re-sparay, or you reckon I could miss the primer and save a lot of hassle and do a couple or so coats of silver over the top of the blue....?

I'm still :bang: about doing the damage, at least only my car was damaged, so not losing no claims...

Its a bit hit and miss on that really. Sometimes you can get away without priming other times you cant. Check out what colour primer you should be using and that should give you an idea of where you stand on that score.
See , the trouble is, if you dont prime the right colour you could end up with a too light or too dark shade to your top coat even though you have the correct paint:bang: .Also, dont forget whether you prime or not you will still have to key the surface so your paint has something to adhere to.

Spraying is 90% prep 10% spraying.

Anyone can lay some paint on a surface, but to do it properly takes time and effort.

I resprayed my cinq bonnet and took 4 days outta rattlers (cans) it's given a good finish:

This was day 3... it had another 3 coats after!!

If you are changing color you MUST use primer, or there's a chance it can Taint your top coat.

My method:
Day 1: While the boot is off sand all of it with 800 grit wet & dry, dry the panel thoroughly & then clean the entire surface with cellulose thinners to remove any grease. let the solvent dry and then give a good 3 or 4 multi directional coats of filler primer and leave to dry.
Day 2: rub back with 400 grit wet and dry, and dry off and degrease again. Give a good couple of multidirectional coats and leave to dry overnight.
Day 3: rub back with 400 again, and clean with thinners as before. and apply coat 1 of top coat using multidirectional spraying. leave for 20-30 mins to dry and repeat again, leave a good hour or so and repeat. Leave to dry overnight.
Day 4: if you are using metallic paint, wet and dry back with 1200 (or higher grit) and make sure you have missed nowhere. then clean with thinners and leave to dry. Now you are ready for laquer. Apply using same methods as before and give a good 2-3 coats for a really good finish.
Day 5: wash and polish... Do Not use abrasives (T-cut/Rubbing compound) on Laquer!

That should give you an awesome finish!

Good luck!

You've done it so I'm sure you're right, but I thought sanding over the final layer of paint would leave it with a matt finish... I guess this won't show through the laquer...

Also all the same applies to painting the bumper right? Oh, and how many cans of paint do you think I'll need for a boot and bumper?

Cheers frenchwood, matt 68, I'm gonna try a few more local breakers tomorrow on the offchance they have a silver mk2 with the rear in-tact otherwise I'll just go with the respray... looks like I'll still have to get auto-glazing or someone to take the glass out/put it in though...

I'll post results :spin:

Oh and I went into halfords today, they quoted 165 to get my boot sorted (though I really doubt they can get it back to original) and about another so much for the bumper!!! Lets see if I can get it looking like new for half that...

The laquer is your shiny surface, so wetting back the metallic coat won't matter.

I used 4 cans of top coat on my bonnet, and 1 can of filler primer and a 1 can of normal primer.

You can use the exact same method for your bumper... Remember... Take your time with it!

Good Luck!

eshroom said:

Oh and I went into halfords today, they quoted 165 to get my boot sorted (though I really doubt they can get it back to original) and about another so much for the bumper!!! Lets see if I can get it looking like new for half that...

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For another £15 id do you a bad boy boot!
Dont forget if youre doing the bumper from plastic(Not already colour coded) use plastic primer