DiY painting tow eye cover - where to start?

[yellowbentines]

The plastic tow eye cover that's integrated into my front bumper went missing - ordered a new one from Volvo and they gave the impression it would come painted.

Yesterday I was handed a black plastic cover, and a rattle can of 'overcoat with 2k clearcoat' and instructions to "spray it slowly"...

The black plastic cover presumably needs primed first - any recommendations?

Do I need to 'scuff it up' to create a key - if so what to use?

Are alcohol wipes fine to clean prior to priming, or do I need something more specialist?

Car paint is white (non metallic) if that makes any difference.

TIA for any advice.

[steveo3002]

scuff with grey scotch pad

degrease panel wipe /soapy water

plastic primer /white paint /clear coat

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/404357644197?

[105.4]

I’m no bodyshop / painting expert, but here’s what I would do.

‘Key’ the surface to be painted, using fine sandpaper.

Wash the tow-eye cover in soapy water, rinse thoroughly, allow to dry.

Wipe with a tacking / alcohol wipe.

Spray with etching primer suitable for plastics. A couple of fine coats should do.

Apply top coat in several, (4?) fine layers.

Finally do the same with a few, (4?) coats of lacquer.

All painting needs to be done in dry, windless weather.



Alternatively, a local backstreet bodyshop can probably do the job for far less than what you’d spend on materials.

[yellowbentines]

Thanks for the advice - both of you have suggested 2 separate top coats, just wondering what the can is that Volvo have given me then?

Does it sound like some sort of 2 in one by the label as per the OP? Will 'overcoat with 2k clearcoat' be the white paint and clearcoat/lacquer in one?

Edited by yellowbentines on Sunday 28th April 10:55

[steveo3002]

it suggests to me ...put an overcoat of clear on it afterwards

they have given you a can of basecoat , dries dull and needs clearcoat

[yellowbentines]

Ahhh, got it now.

I took the label to suggest it was overcoat containing clearcoat, when of course its an instruction to clearcoat over it.

Having looked at the cost of good quality primer and clearcoat, I may take the above advice and at least approach a bodyshop to see what they'd take to do it.

[paintman]

And hope they have their own mixing system & don't need to order in the paint from a motor factor as you'll be billed for a minimum of 1/4 litre.

The rattle can is likely to be the cheapest option. It's solid white so you will likely find it a decent match.
It's only a tow point cover so no need to go overboard.
Scuff with fine sandpaper - anything finer than 400 grit will do.
Degrease - clutch & brake cleaner will work fine.
Don't bother with primer.
Spray with sufficient coats of white to give good coverage of the bare plastic.
Get a can of clearcoat (some on ebay for about £12) & apply a couple of coats.
Allow to cure & fit to car.

Or go to a local bodyshop with the aerosol & the cover & ask them if they'll do it for you.
Might fit it in when they're doing something else & charge you tea fund money as they'll already have the clear mixed & any excess will be thrown away.

Edited by paintman on Sunday 28th April 16:21

[Skyedriver]

Didn't "lose" it in Sedgefield, Durham by any chance. Our V70 rear one mysteriously vanished after a trip there.

[yellowbentines]

Skyedriver said:

Didn't "lose" it in Sedgefield, Durham by any chance. Our V70 rear one mysteriously vanished after a trip there.

Nope - hit a large pigeon at speed on the motorway, stopped at the next services to check for damage, and it was gone! It could've been worse I suppose.

The dealer did say lots of them go 'missing' apparently when I was ordering the spare.

Thanks for the tips (encouragement) paintman, might give it a go and if I balls it up just order another and take to a paint shop, replacement was surprisingly inexpensive, cheaper than knockoffs on ebay and amazon.