The Ford Barn

Veeder · 05-26-2017, 08:10 AM

I know the best answer is Chrome Plate but can't afford chrome plating. Is Powder coating Chrome a decent short term solution( say 3-5 years)?

19Fordy · 05-26-2017, 08:44 AM

It might be depending on the "look" and quality you desire.

Powder coat doesn't look like chrome.

Plus, will it be difficult to remove the powder coating if you decide to chrome plate the bumpers later on?

You might be better off saving up a few more dollars and buying a repro. bumper.

D. Jones · 05-26-2017, 09:08 AM

Since Ford apparently didn't chrome anything on the 1945 trucks, even the bumpers were painted, I had the bumpers I put on my 1/2 ton powder coated satin black, looks great, is very durable and won't fade as bad as paint. Removing the powder coating would probably require sand blasting.

Fred A · 05-26-2017, 09:16 AM

Looks like Veeder is one of those guys that doesn't want us to know where he is located. So information about '40 bumpers that may be regional can't be shared. I'm in the '40 Ford hobby and find genie bumpers to be quite easy to find at a fraction of the plating price. Seems that nobody tosses '40 parts except for me. Tossed because they have surprisingly little market value. Shipping of the large parts is another negative, there again regional. There are some traps in that pickup fenders are slightly different in the rear. Bought a beautiful pair re-plated in the platers wrapper. Surprised to find they were '41 pickup, two features not ideal for the authentic replacement. Notable the number of guys out here, laboring over hopelessly damaged parts, just not worth saving in one region, common in the other. Where is Veeder?

Fred A

woodiewagon46 · 05-26-2017, 09:28 AM

I have seen the powder coat "chrome" and it basically looks sort of like an aluminum in color. If you are OK with that, go with it until you have the funds for chrome.

RalphM · 05-26-2017, 09:45 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I wish my powder coating oven was big enough to do bumpers, I'd like to try it. The biggest things I've coated are wheels,and headers, although I've always wanted to try and fit an engine block in and see how it would come out.

itslow · 05-26-2017, 09:55 AM

There might be a paint or coating shop in your area that has the capability of applying "spray chrome". It looks very much like chrome, but is more affordable. It's not as durable as chrome, but would be an alternative until you can afford to chrome the bumpers properly.

expavr · 05-26-2017, 10:21 AM

Check with the local Powder coating shop about the availability of different chrome-like colors. I had a set of Hedman block hugging headers powder coated in such a way that they look like stainless steel which IMO would also look good on a bumper. The powder coated headers have been on the engine for about 1800 miles and have shown no tendency to heat discoloration like stainless or chrome headers might do.

mrfliboy · 05-26-2017, 10:35 AM

Just throwing it out there, how about a vinyl wrap, lasts 3-5 yrs I've been told.

http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/9...ome-vinyl-wrap

tubman · 05-26-2017, 10:47 AM

The vinyl wrap looks interesting. Over the last 6 months, I have seen several contemporary "car shows" where they used wrap on entire cars. I've seen it twice on that English show with Edd Chyna where he did a Mercedes and a Pacer (!?!) and was able to sell them for good money. It seems to take some skill to get it applied correctly,, but it doesn't look too bad. As Bullwinkle used to say "Now, for something completely different!". For the price quoted, it certainly looks to be worth a try.

I have a powder coating unit that works quite well and I have tried the "Chrome" on a couple of things. I use it for brackets, etc. but wouldn't consider using it it for a bumper. except for maybe a winter beater

deuce_roadster · 05-26-2017, 11:14 AM

Jay Leno's garage has a YouTube video of a process that is spay on chrome that is like what you see on plastic model parts. Check that out.

http://www.nbc.com/jay-lenos-garage/...-chrome/n35122

Veeder · 05-27-2017, 06:53 AM

Thks all for the feedback a few things
It's a 41 ford (typo)
Visited a plater here in CT that does both chrome plating and powder coat in my opinion there is no doubt chrome plating for me looks better on the car
Lastly removing powder coat to go back to chrome is apperently very time consuming and difficult so you should be sure the finish is what you are looking for if you go the powder coat approach. This plater in Meriden CT was very knowledgeable and informative.

05-26-2017, 08:10 AM	#1
Veeder Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: CT Posts: 394	Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome I know the best answer is Chrome Plate but can't afford chrome plating. Is Powder coating Chrome a decent short term solution( say 3-5 years)?

05-26-2017, 08:44 AM	#2
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,921	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome It might be depending on the "look" and quality you desire. Powder coat doesn't look like chrome. Plus, will it be difficult to remove the powder coating if you decide to chrome plate the bumpers later on? You might be better off saving up a few more dollars and buying a repro. bumper.

05-26-2017, 09:08 AM	#3
D. Jones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Bend, Oregon Posts: 514	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome Since Ford apparently didn't chrome anything on the 1945 trucks, even the bumpers were painted, I had the bumpers I put on my 1/2 ton powder coated satin black, looks great, is very durable and won't fade as bad as paint. Removing the powder coating would probably require sand blasting.

05-26-2017, 09:16 AM	#4
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome Looks like Veeder is one of those guys that doesn't want us to know where he is located. So information about '40 bumpers that may be regional can't be shared. I'm in the '40 Ford hobby and find genie bumpers to be quite easy to find at a fraction of the plating price. Seems that nobody tosses '40 parts except for me. Tossed because they have surprisingly little market value. Shipping of the large parts is another negative, there again regional. There are some traps in that pickup fenders are slightly different in the rear. Bought a beautiful pair re-plated in the platers wrapper. Surprised to find they were '41 pickup, two features not ideal for the authentic replacement. Notable the number of guys out here, laboring over hopelessly damaged parts, just not worth saving in one region, common in the other. Where is Veeder? Fred A

05-26-2017, 09:28 AM	#5
woodiewagon46 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island,NY Posts: 1,554	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome I have seen the powder coat "chrome" and it basically looks sort of like an aluminum in color. If you are OK with that, go with it until you have the funds for chrome.

05-26-2017, 09:45 AM	#6
RalphM Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Pole, Alaska Posts: 2,651	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I wish my powder coating oven was big enough to do bumpers, I'd like to try it. The biggest things I've coated are wheels,and headers, although I've always wanted to try and fit an engine block in and see how it would come out.

05-26-2017, 09:55 AM	#7
itslow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 690	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome There might be a paint or coating shop in your area that has the capability of applying "spray chrome". It looks very much like chrome, but is more affordable. It's not as durable as chrome, but would be an alternative until you can afford to chrome the bumpers properly. __________________ Mike Wanted: - '32-34 Open Cab Pickup (RPU) parts and documents/articles/info - ARDUN parts

05-26-2017, 10:21 AM	#8
expavr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hansville, WA Posts: 776	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome Check with the local Powder coating shop about the availability of different chrome-like colors. I had a set of Hedman block hugging headers powder coated in such a way that they look like stainless steel which IMO would also look good on a bumper. The powder coated headers have been on the engine for about 1800 miles and have shown no tendency to heat discoloration like stainless or chrome headers might do.

05-26-2017, 10:35 AM	#9
mrfliboy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: IL Posts: 311	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome Just throwing it out there, how about a vinyl wrap, lasts 3-5 yrs I've been told. http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/9...ome-vinyl-wrap

05-26-2017, 10:47 AM	#10
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,303	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome The vinyl wrap looks interesting. Over the last 6 months, I have seen several contemporary "car shows" where they used wrap on entire cars. I've seen it twice on that English show with Edd Chyna where he did a Mercedes and a Pacer (!?!) and was able to sell them for good money. It seems to take some skill to get it applied correctly,, but it doesn't look too bad. As Bullwinkle used to say "Now, for something completely different!". For the price quoted, it certainly looks to be worth a try. I have a powder coating unit that works quite well and I have tried the "Chrome" on a couple of things. I use it for brackets, etc. but wouldn't consider using it it for a bumper. except for maybe a winter beater

05-26-2017, 11:14 AM	#11
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,799	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome Jay Leno's garage has a YouTube video of a process that is spay on chrome that is like what you see on plastic model parts. Check that out. http://www.nbc.com/jay-lenos-garage/...-chrome/n35122

05-27-2017, 06:53 AM	#12
Veeder Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: CT Posts: 394	Re: Powder Coat 40 Ford Bumper vs chrome Thks all for the feedback a few things It's a 41 ford (typo) Visited a plater here in CT that does both chrome plating and powder coat in my opinion there is no doubt chrome plating for me looks better on the car Lastly removing powder coat to go back to chrome is apperently very time consuming and difficult so you should be sure the finish is what you are looking for if you go the powder coat approach. This plater in Meriden CT was very knowledgeable and informative.