okay ill take everything you said into close consideration. i wouldn't have used 220 grit anyway. the thing i posted is just guidelines. it sounds as though you have done this before though. what would be a quick step by step process you could recommend then? you are right i am anxious to learn it all... the cracks in the bumper in the are in the paint, i also noticed some peeling near a corner so ill pull the bumper and do the whole thing. the front bumper is all peeling like mad. somebody got a maaco on the bumper and fender i grabbed... but i got em both for 75$ so meh... but like i said cant remove either of them unless i wanna pin em again..

One thing that would help is a how to paint book. Even better would be a video, either buy an instructional DVD, or you might even find something on Youtube. The best way to learn is by watching. I'll see if I see anything useful out there.

ok thanks ill check out some stuff

here is some things i found let me know. http://rollyourcar.com/method.aspx
http://www.summitracing.com/search/?...%20pAINT&dds=1
i don't have much money, but plenty of time.

There are several painting videos online. Here is a link to one that is useful. http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_476_paint-car-bumper.html

As Camaro 69 stated, all of the hard work is in the prep. If you take your time and really do a good methodical job of prepping all the surfaces you are painting, you can get a great result.
Don't think that you can skip steps prepping the surface, or repairing damage by thinking that "paint will cover it up". Paint will not cover damage, paint makes all dimples, scratches, dents and dings even more noticeable (and dark colors are even worse).
Don't mix paint, primers, and other chemicals. For best results, go with a single manufacturer and use the products that they recommend. Primer, base and clear. Mix them all per their directions and use them per their guidelines. Don't try to spray when the temps and humidity are not in the recommended range. You will give yourself a headache trying to fix it.

Finally, think about religion the whole time. Cleanliness is next to Godliness, and cleanliness is mandatory in painting a car.

Start with a bumper, they are small and relatively easy. If you really botch it up, simply remove the paint you applied, and try again. Do this until you are happy with the result. You can also get an old hood from the junk yard. Make, model or color don't matter. You really just want something that is a large panel with a few contours to work with. That way you will have a better idea of what your final result can look like, without experimenting / learning on your ride.

I am more afraid of some of the hardeners and chemicals used with painting than the process. I don't have a forced air breathing app and some of those harders can get in your lungs and KILL you from what I have read online. Alergic reactions etc. A heavy price to pay if, in my case, I don't know what I am doing nor have the right equipment.

Well....if you ever sustain extended brain damage, you could still qualify to be a Mustang owner! :icon_teeth:

lol good one. ill watch as many videos as i can and purchase a book or two. i have an old beat up custom deluxe i can experiment on., but the fender has a small piece near the door missing. could i bondo this little crack/hole? if not painting over it is my only option right?

The paintucation videos are great, Kevin does a nice job. The basic bodywork video will work for what you want. If you want to take it up a knotch you can get the paint your car video. You can rent the videos
http://smartflix.com/store/video/17/Paintucation-Series