Herc my bumper, thought

[csutke]

So Ive started to get some rust on my front bumper, so this gives me an excuse to finally A: get new bumpers or B: make them black to match the rest of the truck. Id much rather herc them over painting them but if painting them would be easier I might do that. So my questions are what would be involved in hercing or painting my bumpers? Would I have to remove the bumpers to do so? And will either paint or herc stick to chrome and for how long? Any ideas, tips greatly welcome.

 

Thanks

[jj big shoe]

You're going to have to get rid of the chrome or at least rough it up. Best bet would be to have them sandblasted to remove the chrome then spray them with a good epoxy primer and then paint. You might be able to rough them up enough starting with 180 grit, then 280, 360 and finally 400 then maybe and etching primer or muratic acid then a neutralizer. Or see how much a powdercoater would charge. Prolly less than a painter and much more durable.

 

Although its tough stuff, I wouldn't use Herculiner unless you have a spray gun. IMHO, its too lumpy when rolled or brushed on and would look terrible on your bumpers. I would hate to do all that prep just to have my bumpers look like chocolate oatmeal bars. I've used Duplicolor spray-on bedliner on my tire carrier and rockers and it looks great. Just apply it per the directions and add coats to build the thickness up to your liking. It does wear smooth on spots like the carrier handle that get rubbed a lot, but other than that its the shiz.

 

You also might want to forego the bed liner and just spray them semi-gloss black. Thats what I did with mine since it looked the most like the stock black color.

 

Either way a good job is all in the prep work. Take the time and don't shortcut anything or it'll cost you in the end.

 

Oh, and yes. You'll want to remove the bumpers before attempting to do anything. Good luck and hope this helps.

[laxman0324]

I wouldn't do it, the problem is your going to have to spend more money and time on the process then it is worth when you can simply buy the black caps for almost nothing if you do enough searching. And even if you did paint it, I wouldn't leave the bumper on the car, or the caps on the bumper honestly.

 

If you do decide to paint it, JJ had it covered, clean, etch, prime, paint, and seal are the steps you need to follow...Im not sure about the s/g though, our bumpers are flat and im not sure the s/g would look right, but thats up to you.

[zonianbrat]

I see a new bumper in Isaac's future!

[csutke]

i wish, but that prob to spendy right now

[csutke]

So my biggest question is how to make the liner stick to the chrome? Should I also do the plastic as well and if so how should I get it to stick to the plastic?

 

 

Looking a new bumper replacements online the run around 300ish so doing this is way cheaper.

[laxman0324]

So my biggest question is how to make the liner stick to the chrome? Should I also do the plastic as well and if so how should I get it to stick to the plastic?

Looking a new bumper replacements online the run around 300ish so doing this is way cheaper.

 

For the chrome you would have to etch it and prime it, or strip it down to the plastic underneath, if its plastic. There are special primers for plastic that you can use.

[jj big shoe]

You can paint the plastic, but I wouldn't spray liner on it. Liner is too thick and would probably crack and flake off. They make spray paint designed specifically to bond with plastic on a moleculer level while the liner relies on adhesion and once it hardens it won't flex with the plastic and there goes your bond. Even if you sand the plastic it may feel rough to the touch but when you get down to it the surfaces are still slick because its plastic.

 

I painted my flares and rear side window trim with bumper coating spray paint and it works pretty well. If you prep the plastic bits per directions and use adhesion promoter it'll look fine and still flex without flaking.

 

Google "painting chrome" and you'll get an idea of what it'll take to shoot the rest of the bumpers. Good luck.

[95NPATHYSTYLE]

Build or have one built. so far i've got $30.00 in this one. I to don't know if I am going to hurc. paint or powder.

[MikeV]

Getting ready to do the same, just waiting for a deal on a descent bender

[Pezzy]

Few people up here have painted the plastic on their Xterra's black, they used the Krylon plastic paint AFAIK, might be something to look into.

[GrimGreg]

I used te Krylon plastic paint on my Hella light covers and it made them britle. They were a softer flexible plastic and after the paint they wouldn't flex, just crack.