Dealer repaint front bumper, 500 mile highway road trip three days later?

[the1andonly]

The dealer is being awesome and repainting my front bumper (today and tmrw) because of a ding they put in it. Thing is, I have a 500 mile highway road trip in 3-4 days (friday). Im concerned the paint will not be cured and will still be "soft". After a drive my front bumper is always LOADED with bugs and of course gets its fait share of rocks. Will this completely destroy my freshly painted bumper? If the paint is still "softs" and a ton of bugs and guts and rocks hit it at 75mph I would imagine this would ruin it permanently...or is it ready to drive after a day or so?

[makrop]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

The dealer is being awesome and repainting my front bumper (today and tmrw) because of a ding they put in it. Thing is, I have a 500 mile highway road trip in 3-4 days (friday). Im concerned the paint will not be cured and will still be "soft". After a drive my front bumper is always LOADED with bugs and of course gets its fait share of rocks. Will this completely destroy my freshly painted bumper? If the paint is still "softs" and a ton of bugs and guts and rocks hit it at 75mph I would imagine this would ruin it permanently...or is it ready to drive after a day or so?

Usually they advise you to wait 2-3 weeks before washing it after being painted so I assume that would be a good timetable for it to completely "cure". When I go on road trips, I usually mask the front end and the back corners of my rear fenders with painters tape. I assume it would be ok for you to do something like that? However, that's only speculation and I would wait on someone that actually knows what they are talking about before covering your new paint with painters tape haha. I assume it would be ok though...

[golf_234]

Painter's tape on fresh clear coat , don't do it. In fact you really shouldnt use painter's tape on delicate car finishes at all, idk.. get creative, find some other way to keep it covered.

[makrop]

Originally Posted by golf_234

Painter's tape on fresh clear coat , don't do it. In fact you really shouldnt use painter's tape on delicate car finishes at all, idk.. get creative, find some other way to keep it covered.

I can understand not doing it on fresh clear coat, I said I wasn't sure about that... but why not otherwise? I always thought it was perfectly ok to do that for a long drive or an autocross or something. After all it is painters tape?

[golf_234]

Originally Posted by krop135i

I can understand not doing it on fresh clear coat, I said I wasn't sure about that... but why not otherwise? I always thought it was perfectly ok to do that for a long drive or an autocross or something. After all it is painters tape?

it is possible it won't hurt it, i just saw one case where a friend was doing the polish on his headlights on a 7 series and used the blue painter's tape around the edges and it pulled a layer of paint right off when he removed it. so i would def be careful. I think in his case it sat in the sun for a few, still just a lame situation.

[cheshirecat79]

This is a pretty difficult situation, since you really shouldn't be putting any kind of product on the bumper until the paint is fully cured. Your best bet may be to bring some detailing spray and a rag with you to clean the bumper every time you stop.

I personally wouldn't put painters tape on a surface that hasn't yet cured.

[golf_234]

If you are really concerned about it grab an old white bed sheet or something, duct tape it to the plastic on the wheel wells on both sides and should be good. Breathable, protective, etc. Get a little creative and should be good.

[Allencic]

I know how much fun a road trip is in our BMWs but unless you're going to be gone for a very long time, why don't you just leave your car at home in the garage, let the paint cure properly and rent a car for the trip. Any rental would be a lot cheaper and less trouble than a second repaint of your bumper.

[makrop]

Originally Posted by Allencic

I know how much fun a road trip is in our BMWs but unless you're going to be gone for a very long time, why don't you just leave your car at home in the garage, let the paint cure properly and rent a car for the trip. Any rental would be a lot cheaper and less trouble than a second repaint of your bumper.

Was about to suggest this same thing. Also, don't know what the purpose of the road trip is and if you would have a car wherever you are goin but roundtrip flights with Southwest "wanna get away" can be had for ~$200 roundtrip. Which is most likely cheaper than gas/rental cost. Might be something to look into as well.

[the1andonly]

Originally Posted by Allencic

I know how much fun a road trip is in our BMWs but unless you're going to be gone for a very long time, why don't you just leave your car at home in the garage, let the paint cure properly and rent a car for the trip. Any rental would be a lot cheaper and less trouble than a second repaint of your bumper.

I decided to go this route, thanks! $78 is worth it

On a side note, try renting a car without a credit card, total nightmare! Not everybody likes to live their day to day life on borrowed money :/

[rking117]

really it depends on the amounts of solvents they use in the paint. I would recommend a soft microfiber towel and at every fill up using plain distilled water wash the bugs off. cleaners and waxes have some degree of solvents in them and could soften the paint.

do wipe lightly until they are all gone.

[MuNkY6913]

Just had my front bumper sprayed and got it back on the 26th of April. Pretty sure I've washed it 6-7 times since then. Went on a trip to the dragstrip the day after. 3 hour round trip and running it all day. The dealer told me all I have to worry about is using wax on it. No wax or soaps that would leave wax residue for 2 months. I haven't waxed it yet. They said the wax will not let it cure. But washing with regular soap should be fine.

[Bimmer100_]

Originally Posted by the1andonly

I decided to go this route, thanks! $78 is worth it

On a side note, try renting a car without a credit card, total nightmare! Not everybody likes to live their day to day life on borrowed money :/

im pretty sure you shouldn't have issues renting a car with a debit card.

[the1andonly]

Got the car back from dealer...the bumper looks showroom new! He said I could take it right on the freeway, just dont pressure wash or wax for a month...im going play it safe, let the paint cure, and go with the rental anyway