Faded ARB bumper

My ARB front bumper hasn't held up to good in the New Mexico/Texas sun during the last 5 years.

Any suggestions to make it look better?
I've tried wax,rubbing compound. To re-powder coat it is $400-500.00

 

I wonder if Solution Finish would clean it up? Anyone know?

 

Rattle can it? Or brush on a lightly textured black bedliner if you want a textured look/feel.

Bedliner worked and looks great on my black fender flares, doesn't fade like paint does.

Aside from re-powdercoating it I don't think there's another way to make it look like a fresh powdercoat

 

You could coat it with Raptor Liner. It’s supposed to be UV resistant.

 

Since you've tried wax and compound already, I think it's safe to say your paint is oxidized beyond any ability to bring it back. That means you're only option is to re-coat it with paint, powder coat or something else. In my experience, paint has more UV resistance than most powder coatings and you can paint over powder coat with the right surface prep. As much as it's going to hurt, I'd recommend pulling it off and sending it to a good shop for re-finishing. Nothing that you can apply at home is going to hold up to the sun's rays in your area.

 

I would try something like before pulling off to redo.

 

Hi,
I've been testing this out for several months, and I'm happy enough with it to publish...

This made my faded ARB bumper look great:

https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company...M-Silicone-Paste/?N=5002385+3293194053&rt=rud

Process:

1. Wash and dry bumper.
2. On a hot day, heavily coat the bumper. Really slather it on thick.
3. Wait an hour or so for it to get all warmed up.
4. With a terry cloth towel, rub off as much as you can.

I don't know if the heat and waiting are strictly necessary, but it was a hot day and I got hungry in the middle of things.

A thin coat might have worked just as well, but as I said I was hungry and so rushed through it.

You'll be left with a dark, somewhat shiny bumper that feels a little slick. It stays cleaner that the other surfaces; dust doesn't want to stick to it.

For all I know it'll spontaneously combust when I go over 70mph on a sunny day and I'll die in a glorious, shiny fireball, but that's a small price to pay for looking good.

Anyway, you might want to give it a shot.

I've always been a fan of good old Si, and it just keeps on giving!

Regards,

David