<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Black MX-5:
Wouldn't the paint chip/flake off rather easily?<hr></blockquote>
No. Prep the materials properly and use the right paint and they'll last quite awhile.
Here's a webpage with some info - in addition to the tips there be aware there are specific primers designed for flexible plastics, and a material called "Bulldog Adhesion Promotor" that should be looked into also.
Still, that doesn't mean it'll last forever. The original bumper material is relatively thin in spots (sometimes) and very pliable. My paint is over 10 years old and is starting to show age. It isn't flaking in the least but I have several spots with stress cracks. In those areas you might think about doubling the material with fiberglass or foam just to give it a little body.
Include as part of the prep sanding and filling to make smooth - mine look like glass for the most part.
Personally I think painted bumpers look great on
some colors - like my dark metallic red for example - while a yellow or white looks very good with the contrasting black bumpers. On the other hand some people think you've committed mortal sin by painting what was once intended to be black, but we've already covered that
Here's what mine looks like:
[ 04-25-2004: Message edited by: aerog ]</p>