Refinishing rear grey XLT fender/bumper to original grey

[NeuroResid]

Has anyone refinished their rear XLT "sport" grey bumper to factory after some superficial rust? If not, does anyone have any photos of it black with the rest of the trim grey?

 

[coppe]

I used bumper and trim paint from autozone with a bit of sanding and adhesion promoter to liquefy the base paint a bit. I used it in the bumper and Nerf bars, it is a bit silvery instead of gray, but I like the contrast, it gives a newer car look and it has lasted like 3 years and it still looks great. I was trying to get them stock, the can even has an x sport on it, and after I sprayed it I realized it was brighter. But I ended liking it a lot more. It's in the shop right now, but I might be able to snap some pictures in a couple of days.

 

[NeuroResid]

I used bumper and trim paint from autozone with a bit of sanding and adhesion promoter to liquefy the base paint a bit. I used it in the bumper and Nerf bars, it is a bit silvery instead of gray, but I like the contrast, it gives a newer car look and it has lasted like 3 years and it still looks great. I was trying to get them stock, the can even has an x sport on it, and after I sprayed it I realized it was brighter. But I ended liking it a lot more. It's in the shop right now, but I might be able to snap some pictures in a couple of days.

Great, man. Thanks. I look forward to your photos. Perhaps afterwards I'll follow your protocol.

 

[coppe]

Pics will happen tomorrow, the shop held my car one more day. Right mow I'm actually thinking of doing all of the gray trim in that color. Ooh, and I'm also a resident, at least for 3 more months. Trauma and Ortho.

 

[coppe]

Ok, i have my truck and the pics, i'll try and upload them right now. I've never tried this from my surface tablet and SkyDrive, but here goes nothing.

 

[coppe]

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?res...uthkey=!ABbz53-2SM2xKjE&v=3&ithint=photo,.jpg


https://skydrive.live.com/redir?res...uthkey=!AMwulnMkdMcfnWQ&v=3&ithint=photo,.jpg

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?res...uthkey=!AK08gpJRguCs0Cg&v=3&ithint=photo,.jpg

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?res...uthkey=!ACNfALvTolie9tk&v=3&ithint=photo,.jpg

 

[coppe]

well I've had this tablet for 6 months and I've never needed to share jpg's in a forum, I don't know why I can't post the pics, bit there are the links.

The paint has some wear and tear, but I painted it like 5 years ago, and it looks great. I might retouch it soon and maybe I will do all of the gray trim.

 

[delexploder]

Nice I like that shade

 

[NeuroResid]

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?res...uthkey=!ABbz53-2SM2xKjE&v=3&ithint=photo,.jpg


https://skydrive.live.com/redir?res...uthkey=!AMwulnMkdMcfnWQ&v=3&ithint=photo,.jpg

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?res...uthkey=!AK08gpJRguCs0Cg&v=3&ithint=photo,.jpg

https://skydrive.live.com/redir?res...uthkey=!ACNfALvTolie9tk&v=3&ithint=photo,.jpg

Looks very professional. I attempted to paint mine, however it looks horrible. I'm probably going to snag one someone for cheap.

 

[coppe]

Looks very professional. I attempted to paint mine, however it looks horrible. I'm probably going to snag one someone for cheap.

You can do it, it took less than a can of adhesion promoter and less than one paint can. Of you can pull the plastic a bit upwards, use a wire brush, the work with some sandpaper, different grits, a couple of heavy ones and one light one, until you remove all of the rust, if you get a lot of bare metal, use some primer, a primer-filler can may help you even the surface, then adhesion promoter and then paint, waiting a little between layers. I'm impatient, and only waited like 25 min. After a good coat of paint, if it still looks weird, sand a bit again with the finer grit, and then a new layer of paint. It is all about the prep work and patience.

Mine has only adhesion promoter and two or three paint layers, I didn't even used a whole can with the bumper and Nerf bars.

I like the little changes that look subtle and factory like, I've never seen another x with my color schemes.

 

[coppe]

Nice I like that shade

Thanks, best of all..... I can refinish it with over the counter AutoZone products for like 5 bucks every time I want. And it looks quite original, I debadged it on the sides, flameless wipers, mew license plate frame, light tint on front windows and defogged the headlights. Lots of people ask if it is like a 2006 to 8 model cause of the looks. Of course the ones who ask aren't quite the connoisseurs, but if lifts my spirit every time they ask.

 

[DjDom]

Thanks, best of all..... I can refinish it with over the counter AutoZone products for like 5 bucks every time I want. And it looks quite original, I debadged it on the sides, flameless wipers, mew license plate frame, light tint on front windows and defogged the headlights. Lots of people ask if it is like a 2006 to 8 model cause of the looks. Of course the ones who ask aren't quite the connoisseurs, but if lifts my spirit every time they ask.

I know how you feel. People keep thinking my 97 is a 2008.

 

[NeuroResid]

What would be a fair price from a salvage yard for a bumper similar to the one in my picture? I don't want to get ripped off.

Thanks!

 

[coppe]

Well, i dont have any salvage yards near, so i cant help with pricing, but ig you ate gonna tackle that by yourself, you should start by soaking the mounting bolts in yours in wd40 or something, and do it two or three times every couple days to ease the installation. And you can check prices in the meantime.

 

[NeuroResid]

Refinished bumper:​

Note, I trimmed the plastic cover so it is easier to remove next time.​