Hey guys, just took delivery of my Shrockworks front bumper from the 2018 winter group buy. I was wondering what the consensus around here is for coatings on steel plated bumpers for life in the rust belt. I opted to not get the bumper power coated because I heard it doesn't really hold up well with the salt and touching it up is not really possible. I want to actually be able to use the bumper and touch it up as needed. I was reading about guys getting them Line-Xed and that kind of interested me if it will hold up and not make installation harder.

I don't have the Shrockworks specifically, but I just rattle canned the 4xInnovation front bumper with Rustoleum truck bed-liner. Did a good couple of coats of primer and then a few coats of the bed-liner after that.

I've got a rear bumper on the way and I'm considering having this powder-coated with a similar texture as I don't have the room currently to paint it where I'm at.

Here was my process (took about a week to complete):

1. Position bumper on saw-horses
2. Wipe down with acetone
3. Heat bumper with butane touch to "sweat" it
2. Spray light coat of primer
3. Let it dry about 30-45 minutes and repeat step 2 about 3-4 times until a good solid coat of primer has been applied
4. Wait 48 hours to dry before adjusting the position
5. Repeat step 2, 3 and 4
6. Spray bed liner in same steps/manner as primer applied

It's been about 3 years since doing that and there are only a few spots that I've considered retouching. It's been holding up well! The three things to remember before doing it are: preparation, preparation, and preparation

I've heard for the bumper and skids alike you cant go wrong with the ACE Hardware brand rattle cans. They're relatively inexpensive but hold up better than the other brands of rattle can paint. No need in splurging on spray paint for something you'll likely be touching up after every big trip. the Tacoma guys around here swear by the stuff. Like @weekendclimber said above just make sure you do the surface prep right and whatever top coat you put on it will hold up just fine.

Following along to see what peoples thoughts on this are as I'm getting ready for bumpers soon. I have access to someone who will powder coat for me, so the cost is not a consideration. Had been thinking of going that way but do know that it won't take long for everything to get nicked up, and no good way to touch it up. Have been thinking of going ahead and having things powder coated, then do a top layer of rattle can bedliner, or even just paint. Then when its time to do some touchup, a little rattle can magic to match. (of course that assumes I would ever actually touch it up, just like all those pin stripes I'm going to buff out...)

I haven't reached this point yet but have been told Cerakote has been a amazing option for off-road bumpers. Cerakote Coatings: Testing

as much as it costs to cerakote a gun here locally i cant imagine how much an entire bumper would cost

I've been running a Shrockworks number for about 5 years. Mine was color matched Millennium Silver. If I had to do it all over again (and I think about it often), I would bedline the thing. The silver looks great, but damn, when it gets scratched and gouged, and it does often, it looks like crap.

Your guess is as good as mine on the cost, but all of the stuff it can protect against is mind blowing.

That is a really interesting idea, I would have never thought to use it for a bumper. Just watched those videos and it looks like it would hold up really well. Tried calling a place and I couldn't even get a price out of him. Don't think anyone ever asked about cerakoting a bumper before. He did confirm my thought process of not letting the manufacturer coat it though. They all do a pretty mediocre job.

It really looks amazing. Its like the look of powder coating with the durability of Line-X. Gotta see if I can find a place to give me a quote.

Hoping to get in on the next group buy. I'm fortunate to have a paint shop so my bumpers will be getting a quality DTM primer and paint.

Yea peeps are doing entire frames and vehicles with the stuff the only puzzling part is curing it .

I had my 4XInnovations plate bumpers powder coated textured satin black. They look fantastic, but chip way too easy! If I had to do it over again (and I may) I would have them bed lined.