As many of you know, the Dietrich kit, although very beautiful, requires really good prepping and lots of flex in the paint. The body shop that original did mine SUCKED! The paint ended up cracking, and when I brought it back to them, said it was due to the "cheap" bumper...cheap my ***! Anyhow, after a long and infuriating negotiations (with the aid of the BBB), I was able to get my money back.

So, instead of paying someone $600+ to redo the bumper, I ventured to trying it myself. My confidence was pretty high after my successful attempt at fixing my hood.

I purchased 2 cans of base spray and clear coat (flex added), plus I used 1 can of charcoal metallic (to paint the valence area, side gills, and bar). I completed the valence and the side gills, then proceeded to the main bumper. After the first coat, I got the feeling that I'll need at least 1 or 2 more cans.

Since db is a bit darker, it's needing more paint to make it look even. Now, if there is db owners that have extra cans or unused portions, I would be wiling to buy them from you! Paintscratch takes at least a week to mix and another few more days to ship.

If not, do you think local body shops would be willing to mix the paint for me? I know paint stores will put the paint in spray cans.

Your help is very much appreciated!

car looks very different with the bumper off! I also painted the center black, the sucky shop was supposed to do it, but neglected to do so.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/apr_10_mod_001.jpg">

I original began by just sanding down the "cracked" areas, once I got past the primer, there the bumper was still in one piece.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/apr_10_mod_002.jpg">

Instead, I ended up sanding the whole bumper down!

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/apr_10_mod_005.jpg">

All primered (with flex of course)

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/apr_10_mod_006.jpg">

I've already painted the valence and side gills, here's a shot of the main bumper. You can see the the paint is still not even cause I ran out.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/apr_10_mod_010.jpg">

This sides are looking good
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/apr_10_mod_011.jpg">

After I've made the paint even, I'll apply the clear coat, and then polish to a shine.

There were areas of the bumper that were chipped from rocks, especially at the wheel well where the tire kicked up rocks. I used a fiber glass filler, then sanded down to match the bumper. This stuff is amazing, once hard, you can sand it to any shape!

I also took the rear weight off. This was placed on the car to primarliy keep the rear from resonating. It does not have to do with helping quattro balance, or keep the rear down as some people have thought in the past.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/24538/apr_10_mod_012.jpg">

There is no difference in sound, nor driving characteristics with it off. However, for those that still believe that it's there for performance reasons, AND have any sort of suspension, have already altered to oem structure which included the rear weight. Therefore, they really can't argue for "maintaining" safety of the oem configuration.

 

thats where I got my cans of rave green and clearcoat... from my VW dealer

 

hmm, I might give them a holler...didn't think they sold them in cans tho

 

I duno.. I know VW does though

 

Was this all done with the Paintscratch spray can's??? Wow!!!!

 

What sandpaper did you use? An did you use a sander? Thanks!

-Krit

 

then rough grit to sand down and shape the fiber epoxy I used. 400 to smooth 320, as well as to sand the rest of the bumper. 600 for wet sanding the primer coats, and first and second base coat layer.

I'll then use rubbing compound, 1000, and 1500 to smooth and shine the clear coat.

It's coming out really nice. All cracks are gone, holes filled, and the chips filled and grinded. I'm going to do the front this summer some time. The results are quite incredible, esp for spray cans.

 

<center><img src="http://www.tt-forum.co.uk/gallery/aidb/101_0148.JPG"></center><p>Same paint and clear coat deal.

 

Impressive! How long did all this take you for the rear bumper?

 

and put them in spray cans. Cost for about a pint (fills about 3 cans) for $40. I'm going to give them a shot since audi is about 1 1/2 away from me. But, thanks! It's good to know this.