Anybody deal with Rokmen?

So JamesAndTheSahara has me thinking that maybe I should just strip off the powder coat, and repaint it to match my Dirtworx bumper. I think the paint will be nicer in the end because it will be easier to touch up if necessary, than the powder coat.

I might see if they will discount me some money and strip the powdercoating and just repaint it.

Have either of you guys ever done this? Is it more work than it is worth or will a good stripper fix it? Or should I hire a stripper to fix it? hehe

Or should I just wait for a new one and hope it is good?

If you decide to strip it yourself, a angle grinder and some 80 grit flap discs will make short work of that crappy powder coat. I stripped the PC from my Olympic rear bumper that way and refinished it with SEM trim black paint.
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Nice, I do have a quite new Makita 4 1/2 grinder, but I don't have the pads. thanks for the link. I also have a harbor freight less than a mile from my house so that is helpful too. If I decide to go this route how many pads will I needish?
That's a pretty short bumper, so I bet you could get away with 2 discs no problem. Get a couple red scotchbrite pads to finish off the bare steal after stripping it. That will help blend out the grinder marks a little. Get some primer and prime the bumper prior to the trim black. One can of primer and one can of trim black should suffice.

Edit: better get 2 cans of trim black so you have a can for touch ups.
 
That's a pretty short bumper, so I bet you could get away with 2 discs no problem. Get a couple red scotchbrite pads to finish off the bare steal after stripping it. That will help blend out the grinder marks a little. Get some primer and prime the bumper prior to the trim black. One can of primer and one can of trim black should suffice.

Edit: better get 2 cans of trim black so you have a can for touch ups.


I still have primer and paint left over from doing the dirtworx rear. I will also grab some wet dry sandpaper. Sounds like a solid plan for a 4 day weekend.
 
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Well Today I went go get some flap discs but Home Depot is closed and everywhere else I went. OReilys auto was open, but they didn't have any flap discs but they did have aircraft paint remover.

I looked on line and this was supposed the be the best stuff out there. It is a lot of work. I have already went through a gallon and I am not even halfway through. this was a lot more work than I anticipated. ONline they showed you put it on there and 30 minutes later you can pressure wash it off. Nope. 30 minutes later you can scrape a little bit off then do it again. You never do get full down to metal. You can only get close then sand the rest off, but you have to sand anyway be cause the scraper gouges.It would probably be easier if I had the proper body tools, and the no how.

It is 90 degrees today and I am out in the sun it is making me grouchy haha.

JamesAndTheSahara, I called around and they wanted just as much to soda blast as to get it powder coated. They are proud of it here. Pretty much anything that has to do with powder coating or soda blasting is 200 bucks. A few years ago I tore down my CB160 and had it powder coated. I gave it to them all dirty and nasty. They dipped it and powder coated it all for 200 bucks. Now just to get a bumper dipped they want 200 bucks. I am about 75 into chemicals and am just about out and need to buy more. I should have just paid the 200 bucks.

This better turn out awesome haha I hate body work. Probably would be more fun if I was in my 20s again.
 
Dude! Chemical stripping powder coat is a horrible endeavor. Should have found those flap discs. You'd be done by now and probably watching primer dry and enjoying a refreshing adult beverage.
 
And since my previous post was zero help to you, might I suggest applying stripper on the bumper, then cover the bumper in a large garbage bag and let it sit in the sun for an hour or so. Little trick we used to do in my body shop days.
 
Well Today I went go get some flap discs but Home Depot is closed and everywhere else I went. OReilys auto was open, but they didn't have any flap discs but they did have aircraft paint remover.

I looked on line and this was supposed the be the best stuff out there. It is a lot of work. I have already went through a gallon and I am not even halfway through. this was a lot more work than I anticipated. ONline they showed you put it on there and 30 minutes later you can pressure wash it off. Nope. 30 minutes later you can scrape a little bit off then do it again. You never do get full down to metal. You can only get close then sand the rest off, but you have to sand anyway be cause the scraper gouges.It would probably be easier if I had the proper body tools, and the no how.

It is 90 degrees today and I am out in the sun it is making me grouchy haha.

JamesAndTheSahara, I called around and they wanted just as much to soda blast as to get it powder coated. They are proud of it here. Pretty much anything that has to do with powder coating or soda blasting is 200 bucks. A few years ago I tore down my CB160 and had it powder coated. I gave it to them all dirty and nasty. They dipped it and powder coated it all for 200 bucks. Now just to get a bumper dipped they want 200 bucks. I am about 75 into chemicals and am just about out and need to buy more. I should have just paid the 200 bucks.

This better turn out awesome haha I hate body work. Probably would be more fun if I was in my 20s again.
I stripped the clear coat/paint off my rims use brake cleaner, trust me I know your pain. That sounds about the soda blasting places, that's a rip. So many mini shops here they have to compete to use their neato equipment I guess. I know for sure this is gonna turn out sweet! I really dig that front bumper, maybe someday I'll have a cool front bumper again!
 
Sure i will try anything at this point. I appreciate any help i can get.

Isnt it funny when you see something on youtube and it looks easy the you try it and you dont get the same results?

I am feeling a little discouraged, but I know the show must go on.
 
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Sure i will try anything at this point. I appreciate any help i can get.

Isnt it funny when you see something on youtube and it looks easy the you try it and you dont get the same results?

I am feeling a little discouraged, but I know the show must go on.
Yeah Youtube likes to make things look easier than it really is, You got this!

Edit: I wasn't saying use Brake Cleaner, I was saying the wrong tool for the job makes it way harder. Get a flap disc next time a hardware shop is open.
 
I stripped the clear coat/paint off my rims use brake cleaner, trust me I know your pain. That sounds about the soda blasting places, that's a rip. So many mini shops here they have to compete to use their neato equipment I guess. I know for sure this is gonna turn out sweet! I really dig that front bumper, maybe someday I'll have a cool front bumper again!

Thanks for the encouragement. Hehe if things keep going like this you may get a cool front bumper before you know it.
 
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Power thru brah! You got this. The more I look at that bumper, the more I want one!


Ok so I started watching youtube videos on how to remove powder coating because as you know I couldn't get a flap disc anywhere because of the holiday, and I wanted to get started I bought a gallon of Aircraft paint remover and wow what a pain it was. I know I am recapping a bit but stick with me I am going somewhere with this.

Fast forward to Saturday and I bought a flap disc for my Dremel to get the powdercoat off of the welds and man you were completely right, I should have waited to get the flap disc. It was amazing it took the powder coat right off. Knowing that now, I wont even mess with the aircraft paint thinner at all next time. That alone took three days.

Anyway I still need to sand some more, but here is a pic of my progress. I have the powder coat gone and the inside/underside cut in with primer. I have a lot of finishing sanding to do, but I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Also you are right, underneath all of that crappy powder coat is a pretty nice bumper. I hope I can get the scratches toned down, but it is starting to take shape now.

I am pretty sure I am going to try, and buy all of my bumpers bare from now on. Stripping sucks and the manufactures really don't care about a crappy cover.

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