Unpainted Aluminum Bumper Roll Call

[JSparky]

Hey everyone, looking at an aluminum front and deciding between powder coat versus bare metal. I’m curious, for those running bare aluminum bumpers how’s it holding up, and would you do the same again?

Not usually one to ask aesthetic questions, and I typically like everything painted, but practically speaking it’d make sense to not paint it.. no touch up necessary that way. Curious to see what you’re experience is.

 

[codyHTX]

[MENTION=96425]JSparky[/MENTION] My front hefty bumper is bare aluminum right now. It's started to dull some and is soft so it shows a few little dings and scratches from road debris, but no issues with it at all and I actually think it looks kind of cool.

I had bullet liner on my front and rear, but after an accident I found out a wash primer wasn't applied to the front bumper prior to coating, which caused the liner not to adhere properly to the aluminum. So i peeled it down to the bare metal.

If the bumper covers and fenders weren't sprayed and I had a white or silver 4R I may consider leaving it bare for good, but I am looking forward to having it resprayed sometime this summer

 

[mtnbiker49]

The reason companies offer bare steel/bare metal is that many people like to do their own painting/bedlining, either themselves or at a shop. You should really avoid bare metal. Even doing some basic acid wash, rinse, and then spray with clear coat would be much more beneficial.