Remove chrome from bumper caps....or paint over?

I have a 2017 Tacoma TRD Off Road in quicksand. I have been wanting to replace all the chrome parts with blacked out parts.

When it come to rear bumper end caps.....I wasnt sure what to do. So, I have picked up another set of used chrome ones and want to try and make them work. I want to save all my original parts that come off my Tacoma.

So, any suggestions? I would like to put a matte black or textured black finish on the two rear chrome bumper caps. Should I remove the chrome first then put on the new black finish. Or, rough up the chrome and paint over it?

I have no experience with this and would really appreciate some guidance and suggestions.

Thanks

 

I Wonder if LineX would do a good job.

 

No matter what finish you go for you will need to sand blast the chrome off first.
Its very difficult to cover chrome because very often what ever goes over the top of it flakes off.

The most ideal way would be to buy new bumper pieces that are primed and ready to paint and don't currently have a finish on them. Then have them painted to your liking (or do it yourself).

 

The reason Chrome plating is so tough to cover with just about anything is that the surface has literally no porosity. You need something for paint (or whatever you're using) to grab onto and chrome pretty much takes that away. So yes, the OP will need to remove the plating by blasting or chemical means before applying something new. The problem with media blasting is that if you don't know what you're doing, you can warp the pieces due to excessive heat buildup.

 

I was wondering the same thing.....but i will have to remove the chrome somehow?

 

Thank you all for the input.....
I would need to remove the chrome. Any ideas on what chemicals would work for this....and how to do it?

 

Would self etching primer work?

 

Hey guys.

I think there's some misconception on the material of the bumper caps. They are made of plastic so they don't have the properties of real chrome.

I've read about people using oven cleaner to get it to peel off or you can sand them vigorously.

I lightly sanded mine and used adhesion promotor, primer , paint and finally a good 2k clear coat. I did a video over 6 months ago and 10k miles later they're holding up fine.

https://youtu.be/XzzgJcCmHTY

 

Sand blast would be easiest. Sanding would be the next best thing.
Dont chemically do it, youll likely damage the underlying plastic.

I would just get a ready to paint bumper. Its going to be the easiest.

 

Well, I had already purchased a set of used chrome bumper caps. So, I would like to try and use them if possible.

I do have access to sandblaster and could prob give that a shot.

Thanks

 

Thanks for the information and video link. Now I am considering painting my bumper caps Quicksand as you did..........lol.

 

I wanted to thank everyone who responded and helped me out with ideas and suggestions. Just to keep everyone updated.

I picked up a second pair of chrome bumper end caps. I took them to a body shop at the suggestion of a good friend. I told them I would like to get them painted to match my Tacoma (Quicksand). They gave me a price of $150 for the pair.

I am now waiting for them to get done so I can install them. Once I get them installed I will take some pictures and post them here.

 

Would vinyl adhere to the plastic chrome? I'm thinking of having mine wrapped to match

 

Any updates to this?!?!

 

Great post! Watched the video. Wish the inferno orange wasnt such a hard color to find / do.

 

Yes, sorry. I meant to post and update this post. I picked my bumper end caps up last week and asked them if they would install them for me. They did so and I am absolutely pleased as can be! The owner of the shop told me that they went extra effort to prep the parts before painting and put more then usual amount of clear coat on so the paint job would hold up.

Here are some pictures! No more ugly chrome bumper end caps. I am just putting my original ones away as I have been doing with all the parts I have taken off my truck.

 

Now, next on my list..........is to replace my side mirror turn signals with some of ME-SO's Custom ultimate LED signals.

Then I want to figure out something to replace or do with the chrome exhaust tip and prob just plasti-dip my OR wheels matte black.

Also, looking into aftermarket front and rear lights???

 

Great to see that someone wasnt scurred of painting the "chrome" caps. Its all in the prep.

How much did it run you?

 

Thought of plasti derping black? If It goes south just peel it off.