Exterior Trim & Bumpers - Painted OEM / Aftermarket

[mdcoleman]

After laying eyes on the first photos of painted bumpers/exterior trim (I think @T Sportline is responsible for introducing me), I've had an itch that has yet to be scratched. I can't imagine body shops and/or aftermarket part outfits aren't working on a painted, straight-swap wheel flare/sail trim/tailgate kit or a DIY paint kit/method that actually works, but I haven't come across anything of the sort on the interwebz yet. The bumpers/bigger trim are another story, of course, but I am curious to know if there is anyone out there that has figured out a DIY process, or knows the shop to go to that paints the stuff for a reasonable price. Located in Seattle myself, but general knowledge of your local shop may benefit others on the board.

If anyone has had theirs painted, the metadata would be useful...location, cost, time, etc. And if anyone has made an attempt at painting themselves, do tellllll!

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[Jet55]

I owned a body shop for many years. Any competent shop can sand down the texture, prime and paint the bumpers and plastic trim

 

[tmeyer3]

Yes, I painted all of my plastic trim with bed liner. It was a weekend job and certainly diy-able. The trick is to simply remove them completely, paint (and everything that comes with the paint you're applying like primer, etc), dry, paint again if you want, dry, reassemble.

I wouldn't call it difficult. Just time consuming and you do need to be able to follow basic instructions from the service manual.

I will say this: removing the trim to paint is MUCH easier than masking to paint.

 

[AO-Pete]

If you just want something black, then there's always the XPel Armor wrap...but fwiw, as I'm designing the pieces, I use cheap vinyl to test the fit, it sticks remarkably well to the trim. Not sure how it would hold up long term, but for a quick color change, might be an option.

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