[bonzai18]

Front Bumper/Grill SE: Need Help

I have an SE and am looking to replace the chrome on the front w/ flat black. Do they make these parts? Is my only option to paint? If I have to paint, what are the best methods to paint over chrome to have no chipping/wear?

 

[Blackbeauty]

The XE came with a painted front bumper. Maybe you can find someone who wants to trade you for the chromed one?

 

[bonzai18]

Are the bumpers themselves the same size? SE just has chrome in the middle?

 

[Blackbeauty]

Yeah. Same everything but the chrome is on the SE & LE models.

 

[37L1]

XE and SE front bumpers are not the same. To go to either one or the other requires some different mounting hardware.

 

[Blackbeauty]

Interesting... something I did not know... Well, first time for everything, I suppose... :lol:

 

[bonzai18]

So rather than having to swap bumpers...anyone know of a good way to accomplish making these black that will last?

Other problem I see is powder coating the bottom chrome, but top is plastic so colors won't match...at least I don't think.

 

[Ziminskas]

Crazy thing is....I have an XE where the bumper was flat black, same with my truck, and I wanted the chrome so i just put on a chrome bumper and grille like a month ago...

 

[bonzai18]

Thought I'd bump an old thread to see if anyone had any new ideas on how I can take the chrome piece of my bumper and make it a flat black..since I can't seem to find anything. I'm not looking for the solid color trade method. I want to have the brown on the outsides and the black where the chrome is.

 

[anmut]

sandblast and paint it? I know that between the two the major difference is one is metal and the other is plastic... also the mounting points are probably the same but the hardware used is different. When I put on my OEM grille guard it came with some different parts and directions depending on which bumper the truck had.

 

[bonzai18]

I think I'm going to have to go down that route.

Anyone have any recommendations on a good shop in DFW that can help w/ this bumper painting fiasco?

 

[bigblue35]

man i wish i didnt have the chrome on my truck either. i want it all blacked out.

 

[bonzai18]

Well, looks like I'm going to go down the sandblast and paint (powdercoat rather). I got quoted $300 for it. Does that sound right?

Also, they are going to take the chrome plastic molding around grill to paint/do whatever to try to match it w/ the bumper.

I'll prob do this in a month...I'll make sure to post a pic.

Thanks for the help.