Post your pics, opinions, and experience on painting / powder coating metal bumpers

[Cloudbase]

My buddy is possibly picking up a metal bumper car. It's white and gonna get tint and black D-Force wheels. What do you think about powder coating the diving boards? I haven't looked recently, but euro bumpers are stupid $$$ if I remember correctly.

Anyone done this? How is it holding up? They sand the roads in Colorado, so I'm thinking powder coating semi gloss finish.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

ive never heard of anyone doing that but why not

[Cloudbase]

There are a few pics I found in searching, but the threads were 2010 and older.

[ELVA164]

I always thought that polishing looked really good, I'd like to try it myself when I find the time.

[Cloudbase]

What about paint matching the rubber side pieces.

[F34R]

Powder coating can pop off if it is hit hard enough. I have euro bumpers and used satin oil rubbed black and it is holding up perfect. Got a scratch the other day, masked off parts I did not want to get over spray on and touched it up. Looks brand new and cost only 12.00

Remember PREP IS EVERYTHING, sand the shit out of the bumpers to get rid of the factory clear coat. Then prime twice, I find three coats of finish paint works best. One light layer, let it dry for the time needed. Then a med even coat and let it dry over night. Next coat solid and even, then let it dry for a good day.

I have powder coated wheels, so I am not against that style of applying color. I just don't think it is wise to spend the money to have ugly chips in it.

I had my intake manifold PC'd and I slipped with my ratchet installing the throttle bracket. Knocked a dime size circle out and looks ugly. Going to hand paint it when warm weather blesses me.

[Cloudbase]

I was thinking powder coating would hold up better to the small abrasions of sand. I painted my valence with high end primer and paint 2 years ago and it has taken a terrible beating. I sanded down to the metal, ruffed, 3 coats of primer, 4 coats of paint, 2 of clear.

I wonder if it wouldn't be better to just clean the hell out of them and keep stock.

[F34R]

Nothing wrong with polished up bumpers! spend time buffing then just clear coat them.

[ZoomZoomBoom]

Paint and clear bra. There is even self healing clear bra.

[lambo]

Metal bumper'd cars can look great if the bumper surrounds aren't wavy. Case in point.

[Cloudbase]

I wish I clear braed mine. Didn't have the cash and have regretted ever since.

[Wschnitz]

I love my front bumper, back one i think looks retarded.

[Rose E30]

Metal bumper'd cars can look great if the bumper surrounds aren't wavy. \

Is there anyway to fix plastic surrounds that are currently wavy? Also, has anyone tried to use that plasti dip stuff on the black plastic?

[Cloudbase]

Thanks for moving mods. This thread belongs here for sure.

I've seen a few pics of black ones that looked good, hence my curiosity. I think with black wheels, tint, and maybe a plate filler it could look good. It's just the longevity of the application that has me worried.

[Andy348]

I did my entire chrome trim and bumpers at the same time. I made the mistake of not doing any primer, which was very stupid. Now the black paint (SEM Trim Paint) comes off quite easily.

Try 'Forever Black' on the plastic surrounds, it makes them look a lot better.