Front Bumper respray question

[max123]

Quick question.  I just bought an IS lip and sprayed it.  Of course, the upper air dam looked like crap so I resprayed that.  Now the bumper looks like crap and I want to respray that too however I can't figure out how to get the center black plastic strip off to do a proper job.  Has anyone done this before - where are the mounting points and are they accessible?

Also, will the typical sand, prime, paint, clear application be good enough or is there something special for painting the smooth plastic on the bumper.  It is the front so it gets more wind, water, debris and I don't want the fresh paint to peel off by winter.

Cheers.

[YetiX]

Anyone?  I need to know too.

[zzuzi]

Hi!This will help you http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=AF51&mospid=47254&btnr=51_0642&hg=51&fg=15 .You can use a screwdriver to pull out the plastic.Before the paint you can use plasticizer to prevent peeling.Good luck;)

[Colo318IS]

...wanted to throw this out there...I'm planning on repainting next spring.  I have some front end damage that includes the front bumper so am planning on picking up a new one.  

Dumb question, but if I pick up any color front bumper, can it be repainted? Put another way, will the paint that is being used on the body panels also work on the plastic bumper?

[DesktopDave]

I'd be careful pulling those strips off the bumper.  I used a flat bladed screwdriver to poke the sticky ones out.  That got tedious so I just pulled firmly.  It was a bit of  impulsive silliness that didn't pay off.  Mine was cracked when I started & cracked more when I finished.  It's a overdone design, though it holds up well.  The e34 & e38 front bumper design is so much better it's not even funny.

I then found out (from another board member) that tape and JB Weld will put it back together, and it does.  I'd use a plastic epoxy if I had to do it again though as clear is nicer than gray.  What was the spray color that's a close match?  Sunrise Red?

I'd also assume that regular body paint will work on the bumper covers.  They aren't a very flexible plastic like other manufacturers were.  I recall what a disaster those Endura GM bumpers were.  They'd shed paint in a stiff breeze.  To add insult to injury they acted like Shrinky Dinks (I'm aging myself here) in hot climates...

[Colo318IS]

OK great, thanks for the insight.

Yes, I'll definitely be careful on that bumper....just doing some research now in prep for next spring.  I did see on a couple other threads that bumper removal is a tricky to say the least.

Thanks again!