I am having a rear bumper cover replaced. One of the repair shops I'm considering says that it's necessary to use an expensive Audatex three stage refinishing formula to paint the replacement bumper cover. Is this necessary or would another less expensive paint process work well?

 

How long do you want the paint to stay on??

All plastic bumper covers/body parts need some kind of plasticizer in the paint to keep the paint from cracking when flexed, the brand name depends on the brand of paint.

The guy ripping you off is the one who says it doesn't need it.. Dupont sells a additive for their standard enamel that works its like 50 bucks a bottle .. (Last time I bought it was about 6 years ago so price may vary. )

I suspect there is something about the honda plastic because the bumper covers come from honda painted in the parts online places.. 300+ for the cover pre-painted. (For a 2007)

 

For a plastic bumper they need to add "flex additive" if they are using solvent based paint. If they are on a water system then its already "included" in the cost of materials.
Audatex is an estimating system similar to CCCone. Anytime you have a 3 stage or a pearl paint the cost of material and labor are higher than say a standard 2 stage paint. Hope this helps.

 

Thank you. The information was very helpful.