Tips for painting rear bumper

[TJim]

Hey everyone.

Some months ago I built a rear bumper. I had no time to install it before, but today I managed to find some time to drill the holes and install it.

So, I want to paint it this week.

My thinking is the following:

1) Clean with soap water
2) Dry
3) Clean with acetone
4) Dry
5) "Prep" with scuffing pad
6) Apply 1-2 coats of primer
7) Apply 2-3 coats of black paint

*Of course, I am going to follow the instructions of each primer/paint for intervals between each coat.

Questions:
1) Should I do something extra that I didn't mention?
2) I have a spray gun (and the know-how). Do you think I should paint it with the spray gun, or just some rattle cans?


Here are some photos. It's bare metal now. I'd love some feedback. Do you like it?

 

[UKTJ]

Assuming the Greek police are not interested in that sort of thing? I'm 99.9% sure that bumper is illegal in any EU country for a number of reasons.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Assuming the Greek police are not interested in that sort of thing? I'm 99.9% sure that bumper is illegal in any EU country for a number of reasons.

Why?

TJim your bumper looks good, your painting plans sound very good and thorough. For painting metal I like a self-etching primer.

 

[jesseshoots]

Why?

TJim your bumper looks good, your painting plans sound very good and thorough. For painting metal I like a self-etching primer.

Shackle points come to the top of my mind. The EU hates anything that could "harm" a pedestrian.

There's a reason the tow hooks from the factory are the way they are.

 

[TJim]

Assuming the Greek police are not interested in that sort of thing? I'm 99.9% sure that bumper is illegal in any EU country for a number of reasons.

It might be, it might not. We will see. I don't really care.

Why?

TJim your bumper looks good, your painting plans sound very good and thorough. For painting metal I like a self-etching primer.

Europe is quite strict with the regulations about safety etc. TBH some $$ solve those problems. haha

 

[B34C0N]

I would assume with a spray gun you can mix activated paints a bit easier than a rattle can. And those paints likely dry harder than a rattle can finish.

 

[TJim]

Would you guys think that a matte black or a satin black would be more appropriate for a rear bumper?

 

[Dr. Internet]

I made a cardboard shield to cover the back of the Jeep (no spare) across the top of the bumper. Pressure washed my bumper, waited for it to dry, sprayed on Rustoleum Primer https://www.rustoleum.com/product-catalog/consumer-brands/professional/primer-spray/ in gray. Waited for it to dry, then sprayed on two coats of Rustoleum HiPerf Enamel in flat black https://www.rustoleum.com/product-c...s/professional/high-performance-enamel-spray/. Whole job took about 30 minutes. Has lasted 8 years with no problems, no rust, looks good.

 

[B34C0N]

I'll be painting my front bumper with "VHT Chassis" paint today. My test sprays went on nice. We painted my friends 4runner bumper/slider with it and it's held up and stays looking good(better than his factory paint tbh)

 

[TJim]

I think I am leaning on painting with a spray gun.
1 coat of primer
2-3 coats of black paint.

My goal is to have a result similar to stock bumpers. (both color and texture)

 

[Zorba]

My first step would be to REMOVE the bumper so I could paint all the bare metal that's mated up with the rest of the Jeep...

The best tip for pedestrian safety is to stay the hell out of the street! But the Cradle-to-grave Nanny State is world wide, gotta have safety regulations that fly in the face of common sense. Here in the US, pedestrians have the right of way - that's crap. Step in front of a car, you're gonna get creamed, it doesn't matter what idiotic law the idiotic legislatures make up.

 

[TJim]

My first step would be to REMOVE the bumper so I could paint all the bare metal that's mated up with the rest of the Jeep...

The best tip for pedestrian safety is to stay the hell out of the street! But the Cradle-to-grave Nanny State is world wide, gotta have safety regulations that fly in the face of common sense. Here in the US, pedestrians have the right of way - that's crap. Step in front of a car, you're gonna get creamed, it doesn't matter what idiotic law the idiotic legislatures make up.

Your first step is correct. I think that goes without saying, so I did not even mention it. In fact, the bumper is not on the Jeep right now. (waiting to be paint)

Here in Greece, every 2 years we are obligated to have our vehicles inspected whether they are safe to be out on road, or not. This is the real concern. (but as I said before, nothing that some $$ cannot solve)

For example, I might have a problem with the bumper, or even that my tires are not covered 100% by the fender flares due to backspacing.

I might just replace the bumper just for a day when this day arrives. We will see. it's bullshit

 

[TheBoogieman]

Assuming the Greek police are not interested in that sort of thing? I'm 99.9% sure that bumper is illegal in any EU country for a number of reasons.

 

[bucky]

While I have not needed to paint my TJ’s bumper I have painted others. On my milk truck I just used black spray paint in a can. It hols up well and when I get a chip I just touch it up with a spray. The nice thing about black is that you do not need to match the color just the sheen. The bumper in the pictures was painted 25 years ago with touch up when needed. Sorry about the dirt I have not washed it in a while and it sits under an open canopy. Even powder coat scratches and will need touch up eventually. The key is good prep and primer.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Would you guys think that a matte black or a satin black would be more appropriate for a rear bumper?

Satan black.

 

[WestCoastDan]

Seems that you are likely planning to use a spray gun, but I have had GREAT success with undercarriage parts using POR15.
https://por15.com/pages/learn?utm_m...tt0xgKZoh_kbgFrl7dSqeibuXXjxQJZkaAmkWEALw_wcB

 

[UKTJ]

Why?

TJim your bumper looks good, your painting plans sound very good and thorough. For painting metal I like a self-etching primer.

Shackle points come to the top of my mind. The EU hates anything that could "harm" a pedestrian.

There's a reason the tow hooks from the factory are the way they are.

Under EU law any replacement bumper fitted must have been through an approval process, mainly for pedestrian safety.
I am not saying @TJim shouldn't run it, I just wanted to make sure he knew there is a bit of a risk in doing so.

 

[bucky]

Won’t the big air bag on the back hit the pedestrian first?

 

[TJim]

Under EU law any replacement bumper fitted must have been through an approval process, mainly for pedestrian safety.
I am not saying @TJim shouldn't run it, I just wanted to make sure he knew there is a bit of a risk in doing so.

Yeah man! Thanks for letting me know!

 

[TJim]

Won’t the big air bag on the back hit the pedestrian first?

tell me about it! The truth is that many regulations/laws/etc dont make sense. Unfortunately not only regarding cars, etc. But this is a topic for an other thread! haha