Mopar (AEV) Bumper Color Match Question

[techster82]

So I'm in the process of refinishing a set of the Mopar Rock Crawler Bumpers (made by AEV). I'm having some trouble determining what the factory finish was on these when new. I have a set of new in box Mopar Rock Crawler corner guards that look somewhat semi-gloss in the sunlight so I'm a little stumped as to what will match. Ideally I'd like to have the bumpers coated in a matching finish to them and also redo my factory rock guards in the same color.

Over on the AEV Forums it seems information can be hit and miss but I came across a post saying that they used a satin black powder coat. They also offer a textured black aerosol paint for touching up bumpers and I guess I could go that route instead of powder coat and paint all the parts to match.

Anyone out there know what option would be best or refinished some of these parts and know what didn't work?

 

[EJD]

So I'm in the process of refinishing a set of the Mopar Rock Crawler Bumpers (made by AEV). I'm having some trouble determining what the factory finish was on these when new. I have a set of new in box Mopar Rock Crawler corner guards that look somewhat semi-gloss in the sunlight so I'm a little stumped as to what will match. Ideally I'd like to have the bumpers coated in a matching finish to them and also redo my factory rock guards in the same color.

Over on the AEV Forums it seems information can be hit and miss but I came across a post saying that they used a satin black powder coat. They also offer a textured black aerosol paint for touching up bumpers and I guess I could go that route instead of powder coat and paint all the parts to match.

Anyone out there know what option would be best or refinished some of these parts and know what didn't work?

I would assume the color you would be wanting is the AEV Textured Black: https://www.quadratec.com/products/12049_9000.htm

 

[techster82]

I would assume the color you would be wanting is the AEV Textured Black: https://www.quadratec.com/products/12049_9000.htm

Yes, that’s the aerosol paint I mentioned above but I’m interested in a matching powder coat option first.

 

[EJD]

Yes, that’s the aerosol paint I mentioned above but I’m interested in a matching powder coat option first.

I'm surprised AEV can't give you the paint code for what was used on the TJ parts...
I would also love to see these corner guards, i'm constantly looking for the right set of shorty's.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I would just do both with an aerosol satin black paint from either Krylon or Rustoleum. Powder coating is expensive and at least to me doesn't offer significant benefit enough to warrant its extra cost. Powder coating certainly gets dinged and gouged up as easily on the trail as paint does since powder coating is paint. I have parts that are both powder coated and painted and there's no difference to me. I touch both up with nothing more than a rattle can satin black.

 

[Chris]

I had my rear Mopar / AEV bumper redone when I bought it used.

The powder coat shop I took it to did it in a very light texture satin black color, and it looks perfect. It matches my front Mopar / AEV bumper which I purchased brand new, so I know what the finish is supposed to look like on it.

The rear bumper matches the front perfectly!

 

[techster82]

I'm surprised AEV can't give you the paint code for what was used on the TJ parts...
I would also love to see these corner guards, i'm constantly looking for the right set of shorty's.

AEV didn't feel like answering my emails or calls but after persisting some more today I finally got a hold of someone in "Tech Support". He had no idea on any of the colors and AEV doesn't give them any information to relay to anyone inquiring. I believe I have a picture of the corner guards over in my build thread but can always get another one if you want it.

I would just do both with an aerosol satin black paint from either Krylon or Rustoleum. Powder coating is expensive and at least to me doesn't offer significant benefit enough to warrant its extra cost. Powder coating certainly gets dinged and gouged up as easily on the trail as paint does since powder coating is paint. I have parts that are both powder coated and painted and there's no difference to me. I touch both up with nothing more than a rattle can satin black.

This has been my go to solution with parts on the TJ but since I'm kind of restoring things on this LJ I wanted to go back with an original finish on the parts if possible. Its mostly my OCD kicking in but after not getting anything but frustration so far I may just reach for the cans of Satin Enamel spray paint (yep, I'm a fan too) and do it myself.

I had my rear Mopar / AEV bumper redone when I bought it used.

The powder coat shop I took it to did it in a very light texture satin black color, and it looks perfect. It matches my front Mopar / AEV bumper which I purchased brand new, so I know what the finish is supposed to look like on it.

The rear bumper matches the front perfectly!

Any chance you could send me their information Chris or reach out to them and ask the manufacturer and color code of the powder they used? I took home a sample card of a flat textured powder coat today but it doesn't match up to the finish on the factory Mopar Corner Guards. Prismatic Powders offers a Black Satin Texture powder coat that they describe as "a rich black with a sandpaper texture." I'm thinking it might be the ticket if I go the powder coat route.

 

[Chris]

Any chance you could send me their information Chris or reach out to them and ask the manufacturer and color code of the powder they used? I took home a sample card of a flat textured powder coat today but it doesn't match up to the finish on the factory Mopar Corner Guards. Prismatic Powders offers a Black Satin Texture powder coat that they describe as "a rich black with a sandpaper texture." I'm thinking it might be the ticket if I go the powder coat route.

I'll give them a buzz tomorrow and ask what the name of the powder coat (and color code) is called.

All I know is it's a perfect match. The rear bumper looks identical to the front bumper, and the paint on the front bumper is original.

 

[Starrs]

So I'm in the process of refinishing a set of the Mopar Rock Crawler Bumpers (made by AEV). I'm having some trouble determining what the factory finish was on these when new. I have a set of new in box Mopar Rock Crawler corner guards that look somewhat semi-gloss in the sunlight so I'm a little stumped as to what will match. Ideally I'd like to have the bumpers coated in a matching finish to them and also redo my factory rock guards in the same color.

Over on the AEV Forums it seems information can be hit and miss but I came across a post saying that they used a satin black powder coat. They also offer a textured black aerosol paint for touching up bumpers and I guess I could go that route instead of powder coat and paint all the parts to match.

Anyone out there know what option would be best or refinished some of these parts and know what didn't work?

You scored the corner guards also?? Geez man all you need are the Mopar rock sliders that are on eBay now lol.

 

[Starrs]

http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5337789113&icep_item=132600352523

 

[techster82]

You scored the corner guards also?? Geez man all you need are the Mopar rock sliders that are on eBay now lol.

Man, how you gonna get me all excited only to let me find out they're not for an LJ..........

 

[Chris]

Man, how you gonna get me all excited only to let me find out they're not for an LJ..........

Looks like you have a TJ in the profile picture, no?

 

[Starrs]

Man, how you gonna get me all excited only to let me find out they're not for an LJ..........

Shoot!! My bad lol darnit. I knew that too. Those have been listed for a long time now. I’ll keep looking for ya haha

 

[Starrs]

Looks like you have a TJ in the profile picture, no?

I see a red LJ

 

[Chris]

I see a red LJ

He literally just changed it haha, it was a TJ before!

 

[Starrs]

I should have sold that AEV highline kit to you!

 

[techster82]

I see a red LJ

Fixed it with a temporary pic for @Chris

 

[techster82]

I should have sold that AEV highline kit to you!

Okay, now I'm upset.

 

[Squatch]

I see a lot of references to using aerosol cans for painting (rattle cans, palm paint, graffiti brush...call it what you want). So, why doesn't anyone paint these things with an actual paint gun and a compressor? HVLP guns can be obtained for very little money these days, and a small compressor will do the trick. Just seems like a nice compromise between the rattle can and the powder coating. Just a thought.

 

[Starrs]

Okay, now I'm upset.

Yea I kinda am too lol. I was in love with it until I actually had it in my possession tho. They are hugeeeeeee flares. They look cartoonish almost in person with how massive they are. On an LJ I think they look perfect with 37s. 35s almost look small with the highline flares.