How to make my chrome bumper black?

[Figbuck]

I'm painting my 620 and fixing stuff. At some point here I'm going to be ready to put trims and things back on and be finished.

 

I have two pretty nice front bumpers. They aren't dented or dinged but the chrome is a little bubbled up on one and it looks like it's starting to rust. What I want to do, is use one of these stock bumpers, but I don't like chrome. I went to a lot of trouble to change the color of the truck and my new color scheme is blue and black trim. I want to have a black front bumper.

 

There is a chopper builder that does powder coating and I stopped by to talk to him. He thought that he could powder coat on top of the chrome for $150. I have had lot's of different kinds of parts powder coated by a top notch little company that made a bunch of money in a few short years. They got tired of dealing with ever changing environmental regulations and retired out of business. Now I don't know who to go to.

 

In my experience, I had to detail my parts and or polish them. Then they took them and baked them to evaporate any oil residue, then blew the powder on and baked it. The chopper guy is A. charging too much and B. not going to give me a job that will last... I think.

 

Should I try to sand the chrome off and detail the bumper myself, then find a bigger better shop? Have any of you guys tried to sand or grind chrome off? I will try anything once and I have two bumpers to work with.

 

My second idea is to paint the paint the bumper after I sand the chrome off. I would used two part epoxy primer and then Rustoleum flat black, maybe satin. That way I can always touch up the bumper when it gets scratched. I did that with some wheels for a long time. When they got a little raggedy looking I washed them off and shot them with Rustoleum and they looked new with not much hassle. Easier and way cheaper than two part urethanes.

 

Do you think I could just sand the chrome until I get a clean enough surface to paint it and not strip all the chrome material off?

 

I would spend some money for a good powder coat job. I have had lumber racks and tube bumpers powder coated. They took way more abuse than this little front bumper will ever get and held up for a long time. I know... I should find a good shop and get them to tell me what kind of prep I need to do in order to get a finish that looks good and will hold up.

 

Anybody have any ideas besides hit it with Krylon right now and call it good? Any experience in this area??

[Rusty]

... paint the paint the bumper after I sand the chrome off. I would used two part epoxy primer and then Rustoleum flat black, maybe satin. That way I can always touch up the bumper when it gets scratched. I did that with some wheels for a long time. When they got a little raggedy looking I washed them off and shot them with Rustoleum and they looked new with not much hassle. Easier and way cheaper than two part urethanes.

 

Do you think I could just sand the chrome until I get a clean enough surface to paint it and not strip all the chrome material off?

 

 

yes.

[datzenmike]

You'll be there forever sanding the chrome off and there's no need really. Rough the surface so the paint will stick, get it clean and smooth and a proper undercoat or primer. $150 for powder coat? Tell him to :fu:

[]2eDeYe]

Ya, to much for powder coating. Anyone else local? If your feeling up to it (cause it's a dirty job) sandblast it first, before the sand, clean and paint.

(definitley wear a mask)

[ggzilla]

I just used ether (starting fluid) to wipe down the bumper, lightly sanded it (like 5 minutes worth :-) and painted it flat black. Seems to be holding up OK.

[tdaaj]

i have a black bumper you can have free. i'll be in vancouver tomarrow,i'll bring the bumper anyways and i'll pm you my number

[ADrummond]

Try M&M Manufacturing in Vancouver - I called them about doing my truck's frame before I decided to paint it instead, and they quoted $600 for everything - and that included about 30 little parts, leaf springs, torsion bars, crossmembers, etc. I'd bet they'll do a bumper pretty reasonably. If they won't, there are a few other places in Vancouver. Mr. Powder Kote and Pro-Coat, at least. There's also Portland Powder Coating, in... yes, Portland. Someone's gotta be more reasonable than $150, if Ted's bumper doesn't work out!

 

Andrew

[fastdadd]

i painted the fender on my bike all i did was use a flap wheel on the grinder to rough it up then shot with primer sand smooth ready for paint

[Figbuck]

Tdajj, thanks for the offer. I appreciate it. I'm doing volunteer work for the Portland Jazz Festival today and this week, plus I got tickets to a bunch of shows and can get into see anything I want with my pass. I'm in music heaven.

 

Andrew, good info. I have other parts that I need coated I will look these places up.

 

]2eDeYe, I still have my little sand blaster gun set up behind the garage. Just out of curiosity, I will try a test patch to see what happens. I have been using 20/50 abrasive sand. It cuts really well, but also leaves a uniform rough surface. It is great for getting into corners or irregular shapes, but I have to go back and sand to get it so it will paint out nice.

 

It looks like the consensus is to paint it. I got time. I will experiment. I have all my body work back on and the engine hooked back up. I drove it for the first time in two years the other day! Man was that cool. I will have pics posted up in a week or so.

[]2eDeYe]

Can't wait to see it back together. :D

[pope_face]

A little late, but I'm with the Rustoleum idea too... I've heard that getting a normal can of the stuff - not the spray - and using one of those small foam rollers works really well... I just can't remember if you have to thin it or not. But, I think it's cheaper than spray and you won't start kicking up all sorts of dust and whatnot...

 

I've actually got to do the same thing... I'm debating between re-chroming all my parts, or sanding and painting them, and I don't think I can afford re-chroming... How about some before and after pics? :D

[Figbuck]

Yeah, the quart cans of Rustoleum is what I use. I shoot it with my primer gun because it has a bigger tip orifice. I have to thin it but not as much as with the smaller orifice on the regular paint gun. I use a little HVLP touch up, gravity feed gun that is easy to clean. In this cold weather I have been warming my paints and the guns. It makes all the difference in the world.

 

The flats don't really matter how you apply it and touch ups disappear, but the satin finish has just enough sheen that you see brush strokes and any imperfections in the work.

 

I'm taking pics of everything... probably more pics that you want to look at. :D

[mklotz70]

I'm taking pics of everything... probably more pics that you want to look at. :D

 

Impossible!! :)

[Z-train]

I echo Mike's comment(:fu:)I just got back from my powder coater and he quoted me $75 to do the bumper in satin black.$155 to do it in a candy color(translucent) over the chrome.NO PC guy will guarrantee his work if HE doesn't blast it first.