Steel Front Bumper Finish Options

If this has already been addressed, please let me know, but I need help deciding what route to take with my bumper finish. I’ve got a raw steel C4 Fabrication Overland bumper sitting in my garage because I can’t figure out whether to paint, powdercoat, or bed line the damn thing. Will be used for more in the sand than on the rocks just to throw out the most common usage when off road.

***Keeping in mind that I want the job professionally done, as I feel my imperfections would trigger my TacOCD, I would appreciate your opinions on which route would be best. Pictures would help as well. Thanks!

 

If your having someone else do it, I would suggest powder coat. It is the most durable finish. This would be perfect for you as it sounds like you won't be scraping against hard objects.

And if you plan on scraping your bumper, prime then paint with flat enamel. Simple to touch up without flashing.

 

Line-X. Durable, abrasion resistant, and repairable.

 

Thanks for the reply. And this may be a dumb question, but why is powdercoat always said to be more durable than paint when paint jobs can last years and years without chipping/scratching if the paint is in an unvulnerable spot?? Does that mean powdercoat will last even longer if in the same spot without any fading/cracking etc.??

 

Does your powder coater use an e-coat process first? If so I'd go that route.

 

Powder coat is somewhat rubbery, like bedliner. It is also a VERY thick coat. Adhesion is great because it is baked/melted on. I'm not sure about fading and cracking, I think it depends on the powder/color used. Some Google research should give you some more exact information on this.

Just know that if it does scratch or chip, it needs to be fixed right away. Rust will penetrate the metal and peel surrounding powder. Sometimes it will look like it's just the spot but really the rust has traveled under the powder to a big area.

 

Unless it’s been sand blasted, I wouldn’t do powder coat or line x, it’ll just come off, especially on steel.

I’d primer and paint it black, easy to touch up

 

Agreed, but he did say he'd have it professionally done so I would hope prep is included.

 

If anyone was wondering, I ended up going with a semi-gloss powder coat and am really pleased with the end result!