Look what just came!!

Looking sweet!!!!!

 

Now Im thinking about powder coating. From a more reputable source ofcourse don't want any chips

 

Thanks!

Just ordered a new (bigger) welder to make easier work of my next few projects, too. My Lincoln 125 did the job, but welding on 3/16" was pushing it to the max.

 

you will get some chips here and there but nothing what I am getting so far. I will probably pull it off and redo it one day.

 

Here's my thought on powder coating bumpers.

Don't.


Powder coating is definitely more durable than paint, but powder coating, and even bed liner WILL still chip and scratch when you shove it up against rocks, and is a PITA to patch.

IMO, it's better, and cheaper, to have something that is much more easily patched when it gets scratched.

With paint, you just scuff it up and spray.

 

Okay Ill still with my first thought, clean it with acetone 2 coats self etching primer, 2 coat rustoleom, then monstaliner

 

My ride already rides rough my front CO's are beat and need replacement so the extra weight is going to going make it alot worst. Going to upgrade with a nice set of 6inch CO's in the front to match my fabtech 6inch drop bracket lift. Shave down the bump stops aswell try to get as much travel as possible. Right now Im basically running on bump stops.

 

If anything bedliner type stuff is harder to patch than powder coating.

It just depends on how much you think you'll tag the bumper on rocks. So far, my BBQ paint has held up really well under normal use, though I haven't really tagged it on anything yet. It's not like normal paint falls off if you look at it wrong, lol...

 

how much does the bumper weigh vrs a stock one... how much weight is added?

 

100 pounds stock one weighs like 14

 

A couple things. My 98 truck with the 3.4 was in an accident and the hood was replaced with a hood off a truck with the 4 cylinder. There’s a sticker showing something about the belts but nothing about emissions. What would CA do in this situation?

I bought the truck in Hawaii and they have safety check but no smog check. But if I ever move back to CA, there’s a chance I’d take the truck with me. Still lots of great off reading places in CA although government is always trying to close them because of the environmental extremists.

I honestly think most of the smog check places are a rip off. Running a fleet of 20+ vehicles, we were always being told we needed to spend $50 - $60 on something that supposedly needed replacing. Often a $40 gas cap that you could buy at Pep Boys for $15 that really didn’t need replacing anyway.

 

Your mentioning my 6 febtech drop bracket? You think the bumper will look good with it because I do plus it's functional the bumper I mean obviously stock is way more functional then drop bracket but thats how I bought the truck and it was a really good deal.

 

Powder coat the bumper. You won't regret it.

 

Yep and replace a whole fender and mirror no touch up can fix that.

Great looking bumper though.

 

If that happens, that bumper isn't worth a shit. OP, be sure to modify the frame horns properly.
Thank GOD for 3/8" plate bumpers. My wife wiped out the RT front corner of a newer Tundra pulling into a parking spot. Wasted the front corner of the Tundra and scuffed the powder coating on my ShrockWorks bumper. A black Sharpie makes it look decent.

Good luck OP.

 

To powder coat or to liquid paint.....that is the question. Sorry, a Shakespearean moment....Preparation and a quality paint in powder coat has the longevity and durability over liquid. Ask to see the process before buying...Steel should be cooked in the oven first to remove all oils inside and out....next power washed with an acid and washed again with soapy neutralizer and let to dry...a quality paint, no not PPG, will give excellent abrasion and UV resistance.

 

If you get a a smog tech thats by the book, you'll fail the visual.

 

Yep you can go back but its so hard and expensive I would prolly just SAS at that point. Painting the bumper today going to clean it real real well 2 coats of self etching primer then 2 coats rustoleum black paint. I dont do much hard core wheeling because the drop bracket lift isn't really meant for that just light trails small boulders, beach, river bars, and muddy back roads and then town driving.

 

Here it is, need to do some touch up another coat of rustoleum. Had just gotten my appendix out right before I had to paint it. Still looks great and it fit real nice. Truck deff needs a regear now.

 

Seriously? The truck looks better than your scar I,ll bet..