Powder-coated diving boards?

[EverWiser]

Hi guys,

I've got the dreaded diving boards and I'm thinking of having them powder-coated to make them a little less chip/flake prone. Have any of you guys had it done? I'm thinking of having them done a satin black and then either replace the bumper trim with new or repaint the old trim in SEM. They will be tucked, of course, and the surrounds will be painted body color...Anyone have any pics of a similar project? Thanks.

[Digitalwave]

Why waste all that money on diving boards?

[nando]

I was going to say the same thing, but some people seem to like them.

I think the biggest problem with the big bumpers is the extra ~25 lbs (each).. that's enough reason alone to switch to plastic or euro.

[BMW BMXER]

Not everyone cares about weight, and not everyone is capable of doing the rear on early cars (also looks like ass without a valance),

BUT

For the cost of someone powdercoating it I assume later bumpers could be found (if not that euro) and installed.

If you want to do it though go for it, tucked painted bumpers look alright but like you said chipping is an issue, this is why I did not paint mine.

[EverWiser]

I haven't priced the powdercoating yet so the price may become an issue. If so, I'll consider the euro's if I can find some without killing myself on shipping. As far as plastics, yeah, the rear bumper mods needed would have to be done right to make the car look right and I'm not that confident in my body skills. The cost of having a shop mod the rear plastic bumper would make powdercoating look like an inexpensive deal. I'm just batting some ideas around. I'm always on the lookout for a rear apron, even for the diving board; I think the rear on the early models just looks unfinished without one. Thanks for your thoughts.

[NC325iC]

i like the old style is airdam personally and the alum bumpers have a pretty nice look too

only down side is the way the rd apron fits in the rear

[schmidty]

I'm thinking of painting my bumpers. Doing the black molding body color and the chrome black (and repaint the black strip on the bumper) Might start this weekend, at least start preping the bumper

[Digitalwave]

I'm thinking of painting my bumpers. Doing the black molding body color and the chrome black (and repaint the black strip on the bumper) Might start this weekend, at least start preping the bumper

Do it the other way around, it will look MUCH better. Black stripes and body colored chrome.

[Dave]

If anyone wants a rear diving board bumper to try to powdercoat, let me know - you can have it for the cost of shipping or come get it out of my garage.

[schmidty]

I'm thinking of painting my bumpers. Doing the black molding body color and the chrome black (and repaint the black strip on the bumper) Might start this weekend, at least start preping the bumper

Do it the other way around, it will look MUCH better. Black stripes and body colored chrome.

so leave all the black trim as is? I like the way the diving boards look on the late cabrio's...know what I'm talkin about?

[Dave]

If that you mean the body colored bumper surrounds - all cabrios had that - not just the late ones.

[Digitalwave]

I'm thinking of painting my bumpers. Doing the black molding body color and the chrome black (and repaint the black strip on the bumper) Might start this weekend, at least start preping the bumper

Do it the other way around, it will look MUCH better. Black stripes and body colored chrome.

so leave all the black trim as is? I like the way the diving boards look on the late cabrio's...know what I'm talkin about?

Oh, actually I got confused. I thought you were talking about the black bumper moldings, that go around the turn signals and such. Not the rubber bumper surrounds. That would look good body color.

[Marvin_Hecht]

Hey man,Digital wave is right - color can do a lot, and "diving board" bumpers aren't always bad, check this out:



and see here for full details:

http://www.e30tech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4604&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=75

[schmidty]

im thinkin of doin one of the following....

or....


excuse the dirty car and poor photoshop skillz


or the one above...it looks the best, thanks Marvin

[Digitalwave]

I like the top one better, personally.