To those that have painted your own steel bumpers

I've painted many things before but this will by far be the largest. I ordered a CBI rear plated bumper with swing away and single can carrier. Everything should get here Friday and I'm leaving for Texas hopefully with it on the truck on the 13th this month. So, it needs to be a quick job.

I'm looking to paint it a semi-gloss black, to try and match my front ARB Bumper which came powdercoated. Plan to sand, primer, and rattle can it with the help of an attachable spray gun trigger topper thingamagig or buy an airless spray gun like http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/203408...1&N=5yc1vZarv5Zbwo5o&R=203408788#.UTa4y9a0KSo

Here are some of my questions:

Prep Work

• Should I set up a home made booth or just spray with my garage door open?
• Best way to hang/mount to paint accurately?
• What grit to sand with?
• What to wipe down with after sanding?

Primer

• Best brands?
• How many coats?
• Sanding between coats?
• How long to sit between coats?

Paint

• Best brand for particular material and future ware?
• How many coats?
• How long to sit between coats?
• How long to sit after last coat before installation?

Like I said, I'm wanting to try and match my front powder coated bumper. So a semi-gloss with no plans to clear coat is what I'm guessing will work best.

 

Well for me..mine came primered..but it was scratched up from shipping so cleaned it with acetone..then sprayed on 2-3 coats of self etching primer..then 3 coats of rustoleum bed liner. chacha!(followed directions on can )

 

I primered mine with cheap ass primer, then used some spray on Napa textured rock/gravel guard. Holds up better than any allpro powder cost. Zero chips.

 

I used cheap primer and dominion sure seal rocker guard, and let it dry thoroughly, I've hit and rubbed 8-10" along a few trees and took the bark off without loosing any paint. I laid out some plastic on my garage floor not to make a mess, sprayed the back, let it dry, flipped it and sprayed the front, let it dry, bolted it on and used it

 

will post my process with pics when i can

 

Well after all the research I ended up getting a good deal from a local powder coating company and turn around was quick. I couldn't pass it up. Plus, not painting saved me some time to do other stuff I needed to do. This thread would still be good to show off rattle canned or home painted bumpers and how they turned out.