Curious if anyone has either converted to a sport front end or mimiced it, by havint the bumper painted, and painting a new grill. I ve always like the red sports....but I have a red non sport truck.....Figure maybe painting the bumper is an option.....buy a paintable grill (billet style) and maybe a hood, and have it all painted together.....or is a sport bumper really needed? It would look different painting the bumper but still having the black molding on it. I don t know if its a good idea or not....probably be 6 months to a year if I even try it....

Any pics out there?

 

1320,

You can paint ANYTHING, the problem lies in getting the paint to STICK for a reasonable amount of time. Especially when its your front end, which is continually being bombarded with rocks, road stuff, whatever.

Plastic parts usually require an adhesion promoter, or excellent cleaning techniques. Just beware of painting plastic parts that have the textured surface. Having the textured surface will not allow you to scuff or sand between all of the little ridges. The paint would initially stick, but might loose its adhesive properties with time and start to flake off in large chunks.

Chrome plated surfaces, ie bumpers, have to be sanded thoroughly, sealed and painted like any other metal surface.

Plastic chrome is something I've had some luck with......but.....You can sand the chrome plating and paint, the problem is that if you break through the plating, it will have a perpensity to PEEL, almost like sunburned skin, then your only alternative is to completely peel ALL of the chrome plating off....which is a major pain.

IMO---Consider your budget...are you painting yourself...I'd spend the money on the newer "Paintable" parts. The paint longevity will more than make up for the cost.

Been there....done that.... Magnum

 

Yea I figured the grill would need to be a new paintable version.....but I d hate to have to buy a sport bumper (probably not red) for some amount to have also paint it too........

Are there after market bumpers? besides the big ones....I d rather take weight off and don t really have a use for a big bumper with a winch and all....

Anybody have a red sport bumper they want to sell?

 

you can buy "smoothie" bumper covers from various companies. Stylin concepts has some nice stuff. That is the way I would go to get a paintable front bumper. http://www.stylinconcepts.com/parts....CategoryID/300
-Jason

 

Let me first say.. DON'T LAUGH

Now for the post. Various people on other boards have had real good luck with the new Krylon Fusion spray paint. They have painted the plastic front section of the bumper and it has held up to power washing and road miles. It would be an option for a modified sport look. I used the stuff to paint the PDC cover, APPS cover and fuel filter cover on my 01 and it still looks good.

Check it out: http://www.krylon.com/product/gp_pro....asp?sgID=GP07

Other than that, I know of a couple of guys who have done a complete sport coversion by replacing the front end. One used the front off a 1500 so he would have the notches for the tow hooks and I don't know what the other guy used.

Good luck, I orderd a sport as I am a chrome hater.

JR2

 

User Jamie used the krylon paint you mention on some of the plastic pieces in his trucks interior. He said it worked pretty good. Here is the link, check out the pics:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...=23495;start=0


The stock paint on my sport bumper has been flaking a bit, I might consider this paint as an alternative.

 

here is some shots of mine before and after the swap. any Qs just ask!

 

swaping parts

 

here she is finished. I no-longer have this truck, but a friend of mine bought it and still lets me sit in it from time to time!!! :'( sorry for the crapy picture! I do have more if you like!