Painted Bumpers ?? Thoughts ??

Do something interesting with them-- like pinstriped/ panelled out with a subtle marblizing (Like a steering wheel). Do it all in subtle shades of silvers/whites and then do the roof to match.

Just pinstriping them would give them a more of a "vintage" detail-- kinda like pinstriped fenders on an old bicycle- or an old Harley that has painted fenders instead of chrome.

There's also that Hammertone stuff that's kinda silver or gunmetal (like mentioned above)

Seriously-- I'd think about doing a treatment similar to motorcycle fender-- very similar surface.
--But subtle.

 

Don't like painted bumper's myself...and in fact, i have a set of ****ty chrome one's on my 53 right now because i havn't put aside the money to have them done......yet
I'd honestly rather have the poor chrome than paint....

I dig the color of your car..it'll look so much better with bright work, even if it need's to be redone.

 

Who the **** cares what other people think it's your ride! I'm also on a budget so do what you think is best for you and the amount of $ you got to spend. When you have the extra $ for chrome then get it done. They are at least protected from the elements with a coat of paint and won't keep rusting.

 

Frankly I LIKE the painted bumper look.
But then again, I dont do what every one else does (march to my own drum and all that).
The meager opinions of others has never interfered with my rides. Remember, do what YOU want too. Cuz the 20 ppl on a forum that dont like it aren't the 20 ppl on the road that would.

As for paint, House Of Kolor makes a paint called Kosmic Chrome. I have used it and I do endorse it....as long as you dont scratch it (like ANY paint), you damn near cant tell the difference. Skeptical at first, I truly was impressed with how the grill came out.
Here's a pic, it speaks for itself...


Oh, but I do agree with JeffreyJames on the blasting, that does always look kool too. Remember, it's YOUR ride, make it what YOU want or you'll hate yourself later.


footnote: Before I get ragged for painting a car chrome, That is NOT my beamer...lol

(and I would deserve it too)

 

I guess the main thing is that it's your car, do what you want...but you did ask for opinions. I think painted bumpers the same colour as the car give it the pro street-80's-90's high dollar street rod look (one of the reasons I lost interest in old cars/street rod events in the 90's). I think it's an ugly look. Paint the bumpers white/silver/grey. You do have a cool car there!...keep the traditional look...

 

I like your car man, I like it even more now.

I don't mind the painted bumpers the way you have it right now. If you were to choose a contrasting color to your body color I would go with a gunmetal sort of thing or something "different" as mentioned in so many ways already from grind to bare metal & clear coat (could honestly be cool, especially if you gave it a straight "brushed" grain before clearing) or metalics, hammered (vein powder), pinstriping, webbing, lace....

That is if you were going for a contrast to the body color. because you are going to draw attention to the bumpers with contrasting color so you might as well be creative with them if you are going to draw the eye towards them, otherwise man, I'd do like you already did.

It's a tough crowd man, but the fact that you can get out on the road with your family in that thing is way cool, far outweighs the trivial details like bumper finish.

 

I ran my rear bumper painted silver and my front bumper rusted and pitted for years before I saved up enough money for a perfect chrome job.

 

g-g-g-g-g-gay. Sorry dude... You've got good friends, but not good enough, since they couldn't talk you out of it. Strip em and put some sort of protectant on them until you can scrounge together enough to have them chromed.
I know all about not having enough money, you're not alone. Other than that, the car looks beautimous.

 

It looks great....if your GAY!!!!!! Painted bumpers represent what the HAMB is against. Easter egg cars,removed chrome,and graphics,etc. All NO NOs here buddy!!!!! Might as well get yourself some Billet 22's.......and a Hawaiin shirt.

 

I had mine satin black till I got them ot the chromers. Take a look at Hammer***e or rustoleum hammered finishes, they have a silver that would look OK till you get your bushel baskets of Franklins together. Other wise tell you buddies to put up or shut up! If they are so concerned about how your car looks like have them pony up the bucks for the Chromer.

 

I'm surprised at how good that looks! Still, I'd do something different. Chrome, powdercoat, whatever. These guys are right on target! You really need to lose the 80's throw-back look! That's one time warp none of us need! Good luck in whatever you decide!!

 

Another vote for "non" painted. I prefer chromed, painted silver, powder coated...

 

yea, and definatley make sure that whatever you do you get everyone's approval on it first, cause God help us if we build a car the way WE see fit.
i've got painted bumpers for the exact same reason as you. Granted i'd MUCH rather have some nice chrome bumpers, you can't beat that, but you do what you can when you can.

I say leave 'em painted, doesn't look bad, might not look prefect, but oh well. invest your time and money on finishing other important stuff, like driving it. you can always redo the bumpers later.
that's just my opinion though...

 

See how much it would cost to have them Jet Hot coated. Probably cheaper than chrome but will look like chrome. Of course if you are going to chrome them anyway, just save and wait it out.
How much is it to chrome now anyways?

 

Bead blast 'em and paint them with the "argent" color that they paint the corvette
rims with...you know the "rings and caps" wheels.

 

If you think body painted bumpers look OK, take a walk around the NSRA Nats and check out the pastel, splash graphix, tweed interior, 80s leftovers cruising around with painted bumpers. It'll be enough to make you run home and paint your bumpers silver.

 

I should add, painted bumpers are beat IMO. I just did that as the bumpers were rattle can black and a mess. Best thing is to get good chrome, but I did that for literally like $20.

 

Don't let everyone convice you that it has to be so formulaic-- that's when things get boring.

You always get the "How dare you" routine on here when you try something that isn't period "correct"-- then I go to shows and see stuff like cars made in the sixties with 50's WW's, and Pearl Orange basecoat on a 40's car, Gennie wheels on a 50's car, Air ride, A/C, etc...
(here we go again)

 

I was really glad when the monochromatic fad died out. I strongly dislike bumpers painted the same color as the car. Even the fake powdercoated chrome looks better.