Best method to paint a bumper? (you might be doing it wrong)

[BrianSD_42]

:redbrick:

Hi,

I would like to know some peoples thoughts on painting bumpers. I have seen multiple posts lately on this subject and many people are doing it differently.

Some people strip the chrome off chemically, some sand it up with rough grit sandpaper, some paint right over it, some use primer, some use straight Rustolium, some people try to "paint match" with the body, some follow up with a clear coat.

I used automotive spray paint by SEM. I did not do a clear-coat.

I painted mine using this method
1) sand down the chrome bumper until it is very rough - wear protection
2) primer #1 (pre-primer)
3) primer #2 (top level primer)
4) 1st coat of automotive semi-gloss black (SEM, $6)
5) 2nd coat of automotive semi-gloss black (SEM, $6)

I think there are pretty big downsides to trying to paint-match the body or adding a clear coat on top of you final coat. Mainly the fact that bumpers will inevitably get scratched up and it is much easier to touch up the type of simple automotive semi-gloss that I used and also matches the power-coated black of most professional bumper (ARB).

Also, I don't think it is necessary to remove the bumper, you can do this mod with simple tape and tarps setup.

 

[corny]

:redbrick:

Hi,

I would like to know some peoples thoughts on painting bumpers. I have seen multiple posts lately on this subject and many people are doing it differently.

Some people strip the chrome off chemically, some sand it up with rough grit sandpaper, some paint right over it, some use primer, some use straight Rustolium, some people try to "paint match" with the body, some follow up with a clear coat.

I used automotive spray paint by SEM. I did not do a clear-coat.

I painted mine using this method
1) sand down the chrome bumper until it is very rough - wear protection
2) primer #1 (pre-primer)
3) primer #2 (top level primer)
4) 1st coat of automotive semi-gloss black (SEM, $6)
5) 2nd coat of automotive semi-gloss black (SEM, $6)

I think there are pretty big downsides to trying to paint-match the body or adding a clear coat on top of you final coat. Mainly the fact that bumpers will inevitably get scratched up and it is much easier to touch up the type of simple automotive semi-gloss that I used and also matches the power-coated black of most professional bumper (ARB).

Also, I don't think it is necessary to remove the bumper, you can do this mod with simple tape and tarps setup.

Pics please :]

 

[BrianSD_42]

****** PICS *******

I prefer the two tone look with a flat black or semi-gloss black against the factory black body. I chose semi-gloss black in order to match my ARB front bumper and my wheels. In my experience semi-gloss paint won't fade as fast as flat black.


Paint used: SEM Semi-gloss Black, Automotive Spray Paint, $6
I actually bought the paint from bought from a Sherman Williams Paint supply in San Diego. You just need to specify that you want automotive paint, not "normal home use" spray-paint such as Rustolium. There is a difference in lifespan, durability and fade over time.

Amazon.com: SEM Promax Semi-gloss Black - General Purpose Enamel Spraypaint: Home Improvement


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:bat:

 

[Edubsam]

Looks sharp! Nice job

 

[BrianSD_42]

*** IF ANYONE HAS A BETTER METHOD PLEASE POST ***


I don't think I have the best, I would just like to start a discussion.

:bat:

 

[corny]

hmm yours looks really good lol.
I'm probably one of the ones who did it wrong lmao.
Might redo it but not anytime soon haha.

If you could post one more pic from a little bit farther POV please :]

lol nice tow cap thing on the last pic hahaha!

&damnn how long did it take you to mask everything like that lol!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Here is a side pic. I don't have any more of the rear right now. I can take some tomorrow.

My bumper hitch bottle opener is from StoneBrewery. There are located in North County, San Diego and make great beer.

 

[maxspeed96ct]

Looks good, I will be painting mine soon. Cnat wait to ditch the chrome !


But my front one is starting to bleed rust and show some bubbles.
If they dont come out smooth with sanding I think Im going to go with spray on bedliner, and then maybe body color color green over that?

what do you guys thing?

 

[Loyal Toyota]

I like the two-tone scheme and the paintjob, very smooth.

By the way, sick truck. I love the red, really makes it pop.

 

[codyjh]

Props for 2 things.

1) 2 tone paint scheme. Very nice touch. Great job.
2) Being humble!
:thumb3::thumb3:

 

[pbcolt]

Nice 4runner, nice paint, and nicer tow cap. I actually am wearing my stone brew t-shirt right now. Great beer and great brewery. PB local here...

 

[tmaxx13]

Im thinking of doing this to my rear bumper when i get my ODL on next month, and im thinking of doing it just like that, but wouldnt it hold up better with a coat of clear coat on it, seems with out some clear coat it will easily scratch when wiping it down, idk does anyone have any input that has had there bumper spray painted for a while now, does it hold up well if so did you clear coat or not?

 

[DesertEdition]

That was good but here is a lil more detail that you could have given....
1. The sand paper grit should be about 80 grit to get the proper "Scuff"
2. "Pre-primer" is also known as Self Etch or just Etch Primer.
3. Primer you can use the 1k primer witch you dont have to scuff or if you use a 2k primer normally its a high build and would require you to wait until it dries then scuff it then paint.
4. Paint the SEM works great just make sure they are nice even coats and give proper dry time until appying a 2nd coat

So there is my two cents and happy painting ha ha

 

[DesertEdition]

Im thinking of doing this to my rear bumper when i get my ODL on next month, and im thinking of doing it just like that, but wouldnt it hold up better with a coat of clear coat on it, seems with out some clear coat it will easily scratch when wiping it down, idk does anyone have any input that has had there bumper spray painted for a while now, does it hold up well if so did you clear coat or not?

Put it this way spray paint is spray paint if you use clear out of a can you get what you pay for... personally if your looking for a cheap inexpensive mod that looks good and can easily be touched up this is the way to go

 

[ndcent]

Love the arrogant bas**** hitch cover!

I hit my receiver the other day with some satin black, looks awesome.

 

[rajuncajun]

That's great. Looks really good. Looks as good as a factory option - a better one IMHO. Thanks for the post and step by steps... well done.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Looks way easier just to remove it all honestly... here's a method I have, but this is not for the chrome bumpers anyway. I didn't want to deal with the chrome not holding up.

My back bumper met the fate of VAN... so CBI covered that.

My front bumper was chrome, but then I got an old painted front bumper from driffter33. It had a big scrape on it on the corner, holes for a fender flare, and a ton of rock chips.

While surfing T4R.ORG, I learned that you could buy the factory grilles already painted. I shat a brick and bought a green one.

This left me with a chrome bumper left, no more chrome but that. On my 20th birthday, I wanted nothing more than to eliminate all of the chrome. I decided it was time to learn how to do some body work. Brother helped me, filled in the fender holes with a welder. I bought some Bondo and smoothed it out (not well.. oh well, first try). Primered and painted with good ol' Imperial Jade.

Old sawhorses and a bunch of old boxes:

I never ended up wetsanding it because I just didn't care enough (it could be the exact same shine as the car if I put the effort into it), but it is basically 2 coats of self etching primer from Home Depot, 2 coats of Imperial Jade Mica (online from automotivetouchup.com) and 2 coats of high gloss automotive clear coat.

 

[drake3988]

Does the paint job hold up on the chrome bumper well? i really want to get rid of the chrome bumper and go with the black to match the wheels I'm getting and the emblems....I just don't want to have it look like crap later down the road.

 

[bikerjosh]

Love the arrogant bas**** hitch cover!

x2 Thought about getting one, but the idea of using the bottle opener on that thing seems a bit sketch.
Off topic: Love their Old Guardian; sitting on a case from Jan 2010 and Old Guardian Belgo from Jan 2011.

josh

 

[240m3srt]

I had my truck painted 2 years ago and everything has held up well except for the chrome bumpers and grille. They were sanded but the paint seems to lift and flake off over time. I was told in order to remove all the chrome sandblasting wouldnt be enough and that i would need to have them dipped in acid. I think the guy quoted me like $150 for dipping them in order to get off all the nickel in the chrome, but im thinking of just finding some used ones that were painted.