A while back I bought what may or may not be an INGS+ LX front lip and set of side skirts. The fit and quality seem great, but who knows if it's real or a replica, and who cares? Anyway, the lip is urethane and while it's painted silver, it's not the correct Carbon Silver to match my car. Also, a good portion of the current paint is peeling and needs to be stripped before repainting it the correct color. There is no primer. So my questions are:

What's the best way to strip the paint? Is there a chemical stripper I can use that's urethane-safe?

How does one repaint this thing? While it's by no means flimsy, it is quite flexible, and I'm not sure how to support it during painting, nor do I want it to flex so much between the painting and installation that the new paint won't crack or flake off.

I don't want to install the lip and then paint it and the bumper together, because I bought a brand new OEM bumper last year and the color match is too perfect for me to want to take a chance (or spend the extra $).

Any advice is appreciated.

 

If painting and installing these parts will cause them to bend, sag, flex etc you can add some Flex Agent/Additive to the primer for sure, and also to the clear coat depending on the paint company data sheet. My dad used to do this, as it also prevented the paint from stone chipping. (Don’t use flex agent on the hood etc as the flexibility will prevent the last bit of polishing from bringing out a ‘show car shine’.

If the current paint is stripping off, just block sanding will probably remove the rest of it easily. Use a bit of adhesion promoter when refinishing.

If you ask for a data sheet when you buy the paint supplies the guy will grumble, but if you’re cute enough he will go back somewhere and dig them out for you. There is an amazing wealth of painting info, tips and tutorials specific to the chemistry of the paint system being sold. My dad had a huge stack of them, so obviously paint clerks found him reasonably alluring.

 

I would have it professionally painted if you want it to match perfect.

If they do it right then don't worry about it flaking or cracking.

I had a urethane lip on my Civic and that thing went through hell and it literally took me hitting a possum to crack the lip. I was dropped so I smacked that lip on every driveway and speedbump, never a crack (of course the bottom had scrapes)

Good luck and post pics when it's done!