How hard is it to paint the factory chrome bumpers?

[tn tundra]

so i want my chrome bumpers white, i posted a thread in the classifieds but they never seem to bite, so could i get it professionally painted and it look right? just wondering how hard that chrome is to paint and what they would have to do to it so it could get painted...any info helps

[cwit]

I painted mine 1 1/2 years ago and they still look great. I sanded them then used etching primer and painted as normal. Mine are silver so they don't show in pictures.

[txwin70]

what grit did you sand them with?? did you do a wet sand or a dry sand?

[Onpointtundra]

I've been toying with the idea of Line-Xing them or color matching them to the truck too.

[RONE]

Originally Posted by Onpointtundra

I've been toying with the idea of Line-Xing them or color matching them to the truck too.

Did you ever talk to your buddy that worked at the LineX place to see if we could get a nice package 2-for-1 deal on bumpers?

[Mr. Creosote]

Originally Posted by txwin70

what grit did you sand them with?? did you do a wet sand or a dry sand?

Sandblasting would be best of all.

[joepersad]

I would bead/sand blast and then use a quality primer & paint. It will eventually chip due to rocks no matter what kind of paint used though.

[gkeas]

My truck is black but I had my rear bumper powdercoated "super wet black" and its a balls-on match. It's held up well, save for a bit of chipping where rocks have hit the leading edge since I removed my mud flaps.

[armyguytundra]

Originally Posted by cwit

I painted mine 1 1/2 years ago and they still look great. I sanded them then used etching primer and painted as normal. Mine are silver so they don't show in pictures.

This is going to be the best way to do it, if you look in my post " project tundra" i color matched my bumpers. Now for the front i took the Chrome bumper off and put the plastic bumper cover on. saves time and the cover was only 200 bucks. Big key is to use the etching primer or the paint wont stick to the metal. if you need pics i have some i can send you or up load of my ordeal...lol

[eps1976]

armyguytundra,
when you replaced the front bumper to the resin bumper did you need other parts to buy special brackets, etc? just curious...any feedback appreciated.

[tn tundra]

do you have any pictures of just the bumper before painting, or a part number or where you got it or anything?

[Mod like Mad]

Hey all... I have a buddy of mine that owns a body shop and he recommends that the parts be sandblasted, etch primer added, and then have them painted and clear coated with a couple coats. After that, you may want to look into 3m Car Film or something of that nature since it works great and keeps your newly painted parts lookin' sweet!! Also, if you've taken off your mudflaps this is a must. They cut the film by putting your vehicle specs in a computer and then having the computer cutter slice the film down to the correct millimeter to assure a perfect fit! Its worth checkin out and here's a video you might find interesting...

YouTube - 3m Auto Film Gravel Test

[eps1976]

Anyone willing to help?

[tundratyz]

just had my chrome front/rear bumpers painted black to match the truck..etched, primed, painted, clear coated...about $600. planning on clear bra in couple of weeks, but looks sweet. as far as "just swapping out for the resin bumper", there are a lot of brackets/hardware in addition, that all add to big $$ I was quoted about $12-1500. the decision was easy

[Onpointtundra]

Originally Posted by RONE

Did you ever talk to your buddy that worked at the LineX place to see if we could get a nice package 2-for-1 deal on bumpers?

Nope!! LOL I've been broke lately!!! Just noticed tonight I'm going have to get fender flares really soon. (tons of scratches and chips already)