If so, what kind of preparation needs to be done? I have a sport package with a dented rear bumper (thanks to a meeting between my wife and a short parking lot post). I've been watching craigslist and ebay for a good deal on a replacement bumper and finally got my hands on good used one from another 04.5 - but it's chrome. It's in perfect shape. So, now to decide:

1) Paint it to preserve the sport package look.
2) Leave it chrome and forget about it.

For the time being, I think I'm gonna just put it on and see how it looks. I just wondered if I have the option to paint it later if I don't like it.

Thoughts?

 

You can have it sprayed with Line-X or powder coated.

 

You can apply paint and powdercoat over chrome. But, the prep is really important.

Chrome is shiny mostly because it's extremyl smooth. Both paint and PC (and Line-X) need a little bit of texture to grab on to. Not much, but a little .

Clean it really well, and then sand it a bit to create some texture. Then use selft etching primer. On top of that, use something like featherfill to make a smooth surface again, then apply the paint.

The problem is that the chrome coating is very thin. If you over sand it, the chrome will come loose and peel from the base. The paint, of course, comes with it. When that happens, the only thing you can do strip the whole thing down to the base - getting rid of all the chrome - and start over with a softer base metal. Which has it's own problems.

I would sand it to a fine brushed finished, and then have it powder coated.

 

Same thing happened to my Silver Sport. I ordered a new chrome bumper. I think it looks better.