Paint chrome bumper ?

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884x4310ci

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Hey guys. Just wondering if there's a way to make paint stick to the chrome bumpers?
I'm tried sanding it with 80 grit. And then etching primer. Then paint. But it did not last the winter.
A lot of it pealed off. Any help would be great
Thanks.
 

kennythewelder

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I think you have to sand blast the chrome off, before you prime and paint.
 

TechNova

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I have sandblasted a few bumpers, no need to get rid of all the chrome plating just rough it up.
I did the front bumper on my 09 the day I bought it new. 175000 miles later it is still holding other than a few
rock chips. If I had to do it over I would do the same but add flex additive to the clear the same as a bumper cover.
This would help prevent rock chips.
 

TechNova

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I don't use aerosols. All automotive refininsh products.
 

Z7194

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Hey guys. Just wondering if there's a way to make paint stick to the chrome bumpers?
I'm tried sanding it with 80 grit. And then etching primer. Then paint. But it did not last the winter.
A lot of it pealed off. Any help would be great
Thanks.

I have a ‘02 4Runner that I painted the chrome bumpers on 3 years ago. Gotta sand it down REAL good with some low grit (80-DA), then self etch, then sand again (120-DA), then self etched again, then topcoat (I think 3 coats). You have to have a rough surface for it to grip to. Work out the blemishes in the topcoat. I remember sanding off the majority of the first coat and some of the second, the third being my finish coat. Absolutely no issues 3 years later. Be SURE you clean very well at every step! If you have trash/dust/oil/any contaminate between coats ... you’re screwed.


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TechNova

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can you post the name of the products you used? Self etch has almost zero fill properties so it will not work as stated.
I think you have the wrong terminology which may create a problem if the OP uses this method.
 

Z7194

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can you post the name of the products you used? Self etch has almost zero fill properties so it will not work as stated.
I think you have the wrong terminology which may create a problem if the OP uses this method.

I didn’t use it for fill. The sand was to be sure I had good adhesion. The second coat was because there were a few light spots I wanted to be sure I had a good CLEAN coat on. I used Eastwood’s self etch.




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TechNova

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Ok glad it is working for you and hope it lasts.
But... it is not the proper method.
I mention this because others reading should know there is a chance of some problems with this method.
Not a guarantee of problems as you bumper proves but a chance none the less.
If others are considering this I can post some steps that will increase your odds f success.
Not trying to knock what others have done, but in 35 yrs of auto painting I have learned what works best
and what problems could arise with other methods.
 
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