Want Your Chrome Bumper Color Matched for a Low Price?

Hey TW,

I'm here today to give my review of Ecological and their product: Bumpershellz. Let me begin by saying I have no ties with them and I just found their product over the internet and I don't have anything to do with them. This is giving no gain to myself or anyone I know. The company is based in California and has been used in SEMA I believe.

Okay, so what the product is is a plastic cover that molds to our stock bumpers and can come in a variety of colors and patterns and can be painted to match our trucks. It tucks under the Black plastic bumper covers and is held on by 3M tape, which is good stuff. I ordered mine for $129 and got it painted silver to match my 2011. I was intentionally skeptical and had a few questions so I called to ask. The guy who answered was very friendly and knowledgeable on this product. He sent me pictures and even offered to mail me a sample piece of the bumper, price covered by him. I wish I could remember his name, but I can't for the life of me.

I ended up buying the black ready to paint. I dropped it off to get painted and got it done for $150. Probably could've gotten it cheaper elsewhere, but oh well. I ended up dropping the plastic during installation and getting a few small indents, but nothing too bad. (Fuck me, right?)

Here is the part you wanna read. I installed it and it molded to the bumper perfectly and looked fantastic. My only complaint is that the holes for the license plate lights didn't line up all that well and it was a bitch to get them to look good. I'd recommend getting longer screws for the license plate lights for better fitment as well (not necessary though). There still is a little piece that is messed up by one of the lights, but you can only see it if I told you it was there or if you were like a foot away and really nosy.

Overall, I'd give this product a 9/10 and would recommend it. Great fit and a cost effective way to remove chrome without using platidip that looks like shit and peels. Feel free to ask me questions!

Thanks for reading

-Andrew


EDIT FOR PICS:


After




Before

 

Pics

 

How about some before and after pics? Sounds cool. I want to get rid of my chrome rear bumper and get it in white.

 

Good idea lol, Ill edit my original post

 

Why wouldn't you just paint the OE bumper itself ? You can scuff the chrome and use a self etching primer over it or have it media blasted or have a chrome shop acid bath it ...all of those would only run $50 then you are ready for paint directly on the OE bumper with no fit issues.

 

I don't know how you want it to sound. Just trying to provide all the info I can so people can make an informed decision. I wouldn't get one if I did any serious off roading. I just drive around on the ranch/deer lease. Unlike most of TW, I care about what my truck looks like haha

 

Most paint shops will agree that no matter how much sandblasting or sanding you do, paint wont stick to chrome

 

That's not true at all, when you media blast it you remove the chrome and if you acid bath it at a chrome shop it completely removes the chrome as well. In both of those scenarios you are back to bare steel bumper surface. Then a self etching primer can be used which chemically bonds to the bare metal.

Just seems like you added an un necessary extra part that doesn't fit perfectly ( per your remarks ) and actually cost you more $ overall than simply stripping and reprinting the OE bumper. Any plastic surface is also far more susceptible to damage so if you want your truck to look the best it can and stay that way imperfect plastic bumper covers that " ding" easier just are not the way to go IMO.

 

Chrome plating can be removed by any place that does electroplating. It's probably about the same cost as the bumper skin, I'd guess $125 or so to strip a bumper to steel. Plus since it's probably rusting anyway having it stripped, sandblasted and then primed and painted would leave a solid finish on the whole bumper.

 

It seems like a lot for what it is. I've been wanting to replace my chrome bumper for a while now, and looked at prices online and can get a new OEM bumper for $150, and maybe another $150 for paint. The thing that kills you is if you have to replace the plastic treads, which in my case, being an 11 year old truck, is pretty likely. That's another $200 just for the middle piece, and 2 ends.

 

Well, there's 2 issues with that. You have to find somewhere that does all of what you said, which I have never heard of, then you have to pay a shop to get painted. you'd only be about 50 bucks further down with these covers. Plus, if you ever trade in your truck or want the chrome back, just take it off. Completely reversible mod.

 

heres the install video. All you need is a socket wrench and screwdriver.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSBPd7oB2DQ


just a lot easier than trying to find a place that does all of that stuff imo. It will cost more than 150 to paint bare metal professionally too. At least around here

 

Ten seconds with Google:

Atlas Chrome Plating, Houston, TX

http://www.atlaschrome.com

They look set up for motorcycles, but their price is $50 to strip the chrome and scuff the nickel layer to prep for powdercoat or paint.

There are lots of places that can do it. Hot rods, boats, motorcycles, restorations. Tons of groups want to strip and chrome junk.

http://www.yellowpages.com/houston-tx/chrome-plating

 

like I said, I don't care if you like/buy it or not, just another option for people to consider. Since i tried it, I reviewed it

 

Feel free to go there yourself, not close to my house anyways. I've just never heard of it. Plus thats 2 trips to that place and 2 trips to a paint shop. As opposed to it being shipped to your door. I've never heard of anyone doing it and I've researched color matching for a while

 

I am glad you did. It seems like a way easier way to get the desired effect. I am checking this out. Thanks!

 

They have the carbon fiber look! Hells yeah!!

 

These are available on Ebay. They have white painted ones available.


http://m.ebay.com/itm/New-BumperShe...yota-Tacoma-/311544080958?nav=WATCHING_ACTIVE

 

Yep, like I said they come in a few different styles and colors