Body Work & Detailing

Well it's about that time that my bumper and rocker panels are starting to just look plain nasty, so I figured I would take it all off and just paint it black to match my grille. A lot of people on here seem to recommend the duplicolor spray-on truck bed liner. Others prefer herculiner/rhino liner. A friend of mine did his Jeep doors with the duplicolor as well. I figure that the truck bed liner would be much less prone to wear or damage than bumper paint. Would the rocker panels/bumper require any priming? I was planning on washing, sanding, degreasing with a metal cloth, then power washing for maximum adhesiveness (if that's even a real word), all before painting. Advantages/disadvantages of any product? Price range...

Is it possible to plug the holes that are left from the running board's then put the running board back on.. I just want to plug the hole's on the rocker that the plastic retainer's go into. and use the 12 bolts to hold it on... anyone think this could be problem? the reason I want to do this is, my wife and kid's have a hard time getting in the truck w/o the running board's, but I want them off when 4wding, and don't want to get mud and water in the hole's, and pulling those plastic retainer's is a PITA. So what do you all think would it be OK w/o the plastic retainers?? TIA

Once again, I am asking for your opinion on the Black Hole. What do you think of the Hood mounted Bug Shields? YAY....or ......NAY? With: Without Borrowed from V8powerbaby:

I just got some decals and in the instructions it says to clean painted metal surfaces with xylol. Can I use xylene instead? Will it hurt my paint at all?

Any 2nd Gen Xs running Perry's Front and Rear? Doing the SAS and going 35s the stock fender flares had to be removed. I have some damage on teh rear fender driverside that can be fixed with some bondo, but I am trying to figure out the rest. I have a portion in the rear that must be trimmed and cannot find any flares that will work with a 2 door second gen especially one with larger openings. So I started thinking about Perry's. Saves me the time of fill welding all my holes and fixing the dents. Need a paint job anyways. This wouldn't be for several months, but if I can do it (if I like the way it looks) and if once the rears are on it is seemless, I may go this route. But i would like to see some pics. Especially of a...

Xplorer82's Rust Restoration & Body Work Well to start off I am making this thread to follow my progress and hopefully get tips/hints when needed. i am by far a "body man", but i have had some experience just thought it would be smart to start a thread in case someone see's something i dont/missed/ect. i have owned this truck for 6+ yrs. when i bought it, it had No rust on the body, well yrs of driving in these Ohio winters(and believe me, i have fun in the winter :)) has took its toll. For the last 3 yrs once winter breaks i try and control the rust. usually just a good sanding then filler for where i needed it, Well that is getting old and rust is growing in other areas now, So........ Here we go, im going to try and do this...

I just bought a limited edition bumper cover for my 95 explorer and it doesn't fit on the metal bumper...I've looked thru the forum and can't find anything about it. Does anyone know what I have to do to get the cover to fit..do I have to buy a different bumper? And the fog lights look like they won't fit either. Thanks

i am looking for a first generation explorer limited bumper. does any one know where i could get one besides a junkyard. or would any one sell/trade the bumper? if soo message me (color dosnt matter)

I couldn't stand the faded grey trim and bumpers any longer so I went to Finishmaster and got wax/grease remover, plastic prep, adhesion promoter, and semi-gloss trim black paint. I got all but the rear bumper done before it began to rain yesterday. Here is the link to cardomain...pics on there. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2608720

Wondering if anyone has removed the Explorer and/ or Ford rear badging? I took off the EXPLORER badge beacuse it was loose, but now I have to do something with the 2 small holes in the exterior liftgate. Any ideas if someone sells plastic or rubber plugs for this, or should I put some Liquid Steel-type product in there and paint over it? Thanks for any suggestions!

anyone got one for a 2nd gen and have a pic? or in general any pics of cowl hoods, id like to see the difference in the 2 3/4" hood vs like the 4 3/4" and even the 6" if i recall, racinjason ordered one from here wayyyyyyyy back, cant remember the size if the cowl though. ive always wanted a cowl hood though. http://www.up22.com/ranger.htm

I have a 99-01 Eddie Bauer bumper, which needs a new bumper cover. I got one a few years ago at the Ford dealership which came painted to match the trim on my Eddie Bauer (Beige). Now the stealership is telling me they no longer come painted, and that I have to get them painted myself. What the f__k Ford this is only a 4 year old part! Is this guy just lazy or is this true? I did not order it painted to match, I just told the parts guy I needed a 99-01 bumper cover for my Eddie Bauer Explorer, and bang it came in a few days later wrapped in a foam blanket painted the color the Eddie's trim are painted. :fire:

I am in need of a pair of doglegs for an Explorer sport. I have a 1998 model so I believe 1995-2001 will work. If anyone has some good ones off of an explorer they are parting out, please let me know....Thanks

Okay....I'm going to try to change history! I know I'm not a regular here and have only dropped by to ask a question or two a year. I'm sorry, but I just don't know much about cars or trucks so I can't help. Many of you recall the phrase "Kilroy Was Here" that was used in WW II. I'm 49 years of age but I remember seeing it in movies, in documentaries, and in I think a Bugs Bunny cartoon even!. I've had it. I've had enough and will stand for no more. My plates that are personalized will be here in a few days. They will read "9-11-RMBR" Pat Tillman paid the ultimate price. The "Independent Media Center" - a US publication at that - decided to write an article Tuesday and to entitle it "Dumb Jock Killed in Afghanastan." They then...

Hey guys, Today I took my 'ploder out with my buddy and his Wrangler. The mud we were in was peanut buttery. Long story short, my car slide into a wooden pole, and destroyed my (all driver side parts) headlight, front fender, slightly bent the outside of my bumper bracket from frame(the outside lip), chrome around grille seemed to split at the break it has, dented the corner of my hood, and my front side of my door is pinched in a bit. Not sure how exactly I am going to fix it, but I do believe I am going to fix it and probably save up for a new car. I was looking at parts on rockauto, and it looks like I will be spending around $600 in parts alone. Anyone have advice on how I should have this fixed properly? I can install all...