Faded Front Bumper

Looking for suggestions on how to bring life back into my front bumper. Not 100% certain I want to keep the chrome.

 

Remove it, tape off the chrome, do proper prep, repaint it black, rattle can if done methodically will look good.
If you paint over chrome, your prep is really important. Sanding with scotch brite first, then using self-etching primer, then rattle can over. There are threads on here you can search for proper steps. Others recommend plasti dipping the chrome to see if you like it, and its cheaper.

 

Pasti-Dip. If prepped and done well it looks and holds up great, plus you can remove it if you don't like it or want to give it another shot.

 

Where do I go about having this done, or is this a process I can do in my garage at home?

 

You can Plasti-Dip at home or try mothers back to black

 

Heat gun
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/restoring-faded-plastic-with-heat-gun-works-my-review.348248/

 

There's a huge thread over in the detailing section.

 

Super easy to do yourself, just be sure to prep the area (sand the chrome down a bit, use acetone over the whole area to clean it well, etc.) then tape off the areas you don't want to get painted. Takes some time to do the prep but it's worth it in the end.

One thing I realized with PlastiDip is you have to be careful removing the tape off of the masked-off areas...if the pastidip has dried it will ALL peel off. I removed the masked areas while it was still wet, only problem with that though is if you realize you missed a spot you're going to have to re-mask it.

 

Its a little far gone to really use mothers back to black, but it might be worth a shot, it worked pretty well on mine. You just apply it but then you have to buff it in.

 

Definitely the heat gun method - easy and effective. Check it out:

 

Wow, that looks good to me! Any idea how long the newer condition holds up for?

 

Magic erasers then protect with 303 aerospace protectant.

 

It is melting the top layer of texture on the plastic, the top layer is commonly UV coated, hence why it originally lasted so long. Issue is the plastic will likely fade much faster now and have less knurled texture. Vinyl die might be a good option for you. I bedlinered mine and it held up nicely too.

 

Get an ARB

 

^^^ haha, was just going to say get an ARB...

But I used plastidip on my fender flairs and it worked pretty well. Seems like you need 35 coats of the stuff, though.

Might consider bed-liner (like herculiner) for a more permanent/durable fix, too.

 

Are you sure it's just the top layer? Have you seen it re-fade? Could be, but a lot of plastic is impregnated with UV resistance throughout.

If you're going to paint, Rust-Oleum Universal Satin Black is great stuff. That's what I used years ago on my old 1st gen (different truck), 3-4 coats and it held up great.

 

@Speedytech7 the OP of the other thread just posted an update - you were right, it does fade faster
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...n-works-my-review.348248/page-2#post-15238678
I'll just go hit mine with a clear coat, won't have to do as much masking as I did with the satin black.

 

Following this thread! How long does the heat gun method seem to stay black? My fender flares are a little grayish

 

I had some faded fender flares like that on my jeep. I removed them, cleaned with alcohol, and then painted with Krylon Fusion (for plastic chairs and stuff)... held up for 1 year just fine till I sold the jeep. It really did look nice - before and after pics below. All that said, I think it may be simpler to try the heat gun method & if that fails...

 

I would say about 6-12 months in the worst of conditions. That's here in az under the beating Sun day in day out. And after the first couple intial treatments that is. Because it does seem to speed up the rate of fading. So basically a yearly treatment. If its shaded or garaged or in cooler climates, it'll last much much longer I'd assume.

Edit:
(my first treatment lasted about 2 years)