ungrading bumpers

[volleyfoc24]

I have an 03 (I assume XLS) due to it doesnt say and I have the all grey bumpers, I want to get rid of the bumpers for the eddie bauer or other paintable ones, will a OEM style bumper fit or am I stuck wit the dumb plastic grey?

 

[A1C_Snowman]

I have an 03 (I assume XLS) due to it doesnt say and I have the all grey bumpers, I want to get rid of the bumpers for the eddie bauer or other paintable ones, will a OEM style bumper fit or am I stuck wit the dumb plastic grey?

Your bumper's are paintable. There is no difference, just the look that they have. All you have to do is put a couple coats of primer on it sand between each coat, and then paint them, as far as I know.

 

[prerunner02]

that would work if you want it smooth.but dont try to flex it, as the paint and primer will flake off. The best bet would be to go to your local paint shop have them mix you some paint with a flex additive in it. If you bump something(not saying you will) and your bumper flexes you will not have any cracking or flaking paint.

 

[CodePoet]

prerunner is right, if that plastic flexes the paint will chip right off. Are there all metal bumpers out there for the 3rd gens? I know on the f150's like i have there are all metal and some with plastic, i'd assume that it would be similar for expo's. If there are all steel ones i'd just pick one up and have it painted.

 

[B Easy]

so is there no way, i can get the eddie bauer bumpers to fit on my truck ?

 

[xartic]

yes, any of the bumpers will fit, although if your truck doesnt have the fender moldings, and the eb bumper doesnt, it will look akward, and also you might have to buy fog lights to fill in the spot

 

[jluv]

There is no way that Ford goes back and preps the textured bumpers to paint them and put them on the EBs and Limiteds. They have got to come in a smooth finish ready for spray. I've heard that trying to get the XLS textured pieces smoothed out is a TON of work. Does anyone know where to get the upgraded bumpers that aren't textured?

 

[xartic]

try ebay, they have some guy selling some that comes pre painted if you want, or just prepped to get painted

 

[random hero]

i used Dupli-Color vinyl and fabric paint to do my molding on my XLT all the way around, looks great, no fade or chip. Didnt even have to prime it, i just cleaned it real good with acetone.

 

[02_ex_on_dubs]

i used Dupli-Color vinyl and fabric paint to do my molding on my XLT all the way around, looks great, no fade or chip. Didnt even have to prime it, i just cleaned it real good with acetone.

pics?

 

[random hero]

incase the doest work
Here

 

[02dubs]

I have an 03 XLS and it had the all grey bumpers... I got the 05 Eddie Bauer front bumper and had it color matched to the rest of my car... both front and rear bumpers

Looks 1000 times better!!!!!!

 

[xartic]

that looks really good now, how much did it cost to get either one or both of your bumpers painted, did you prep it or did they, and was the bumpers taken off and painted or were they kept on, thanks. I like your ride alot

 

[02_ex_on_dubs]

the bumpers were prolly just painted but he doesnt have the moldings on the sides....were they taken off? or did you just never have them, cause i want to get mine painted mine like RANDOM HERO even tho 02dubs's truck does look clean it looks kinda "naked"

 

[02dubs]

I didnt have the side moldings but it was about 450 to get them removed preped and painted...... which is alot since where i live its just a bunch of rich *******s and they can charge wut ever they want

 

[xartic]

where did you get your bumper at exactly, cause i need a bumper like that without the moldings also, and yes i agree it does look naked but you cant do much when your entire car doesnt have the moldings

 

[02dubs]

i got my bumper from partstrain.com good stuff and great prices

 

[xartic]

which particular bumper was it FRONT BUMPER COVER
Primed Eddie Bauer, Limited Model would it be that one?

 

[xartic]

bump

 

[4x4xbrian.com]

You can paint plastic just fine without worry of flaking . Any paint supply shop as "adhesion promoter" witch usually has flex additives in it, if not thats available seperate. no sweat!. If you are painting yourself just ask the paint supplier "how to" and if you have a shop di it they'll know all about it.