Painted Chrome bumpers
Thread Starter
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65 f250, 67 f100, 76 f250
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 233
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From: Michigan
Painted Chrome bumpers
I have a 1967 F100 and the guy before me painted the bumpers & the aluminum grill. I'd like to strip the paint off of both but not sure what to use. Any suggestion out there? I can see chrome on the bumpers were the paint has come off.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
For chromed bumpers, I say use a heat gun ($10 at Harbor Freight) to soften the paint and then use steel wool to scrub it off.
The aluminum grill shell is anodized so anything caustic will affect the coating. Steel wool will work but it's gonna take alot of elbow grease. You could try the heat gun but first try it on an inconspicuous area before going whole hog on it. IIRC, the headlight doors overlay the center section a bit so that's where I would try... that is, unless the PO shot the grill as an assembly.
Additional tip! The backside of bumpers are typically rusted or at least have less chrome than the outside surfaces. I cleaned, primed, and then painted the back sides with gloss black paint (Rustoleum) cuz it's easier to blast dirt and mud from a smooth surface than a rough surfce. Works really well.
The aluminum grill shell is anodized so anything caustic will affect the coating. Steel wool will work but it's gonna take alot of elbow grease. You could try the heat gun but first try it on an inconspicuous area before going whole hog on it. IIRC, the headlight doors overlay the center section a bit so that's where I would try... that is, unless the PO shot the grill as an assembly.
Additional tip! The backside of bumpers are typically rusted or at least have less chrome than the outside surfaces. I cleaned, primed, and then painted the back sides with gloss black paint (Rustoleum) cuz it's easier to blast dirt and mud from a smooth surface than a rough surfce. Works really well.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 384
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Use a stripper on the the crome. Steal wool might scratch the crome. I tried the aircraft stripper from walmart on my grill to get the coating off so it could be polished and it didn't do anything to it. Im not suggesting it but it "might" not hurt yours either. That aircraft remover worked good to get the overspray off my bumper and mirors withought hurting the crome. Previous owner sprayed the truck with tractor paint and with minimal taping. It took me a couple hours but it's shiny again
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 48
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From: Ridgecrest, CA
Like 4x4jedi, I've used the aircraft stripper before on motorcycle aluminum. It takes off the clear coat, but I didn't think it affected anodizing (could be wrong, so research it first). I used a cloth wheel and compound to bring back the 25-year-old shine, and didn't bother respraying the clearcoat. Wear rubber gloves, and work outside! That aircraft stripper is nasty!
Joseph
Joseph
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,762
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From: Antelope Valley ,CA
oh just remembered an old trick dot 3 brake fluid , it lifts even urethane paint . messy but works .
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Ridgecrest, CA
Forgot about the brake fluid. Takes the shine right out of a motorcycle gas tank (ask me how I know).
Joseph
Joseph
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Thread Starter
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65 f250, 67 f100, 76 f250
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
Well tried the stripper on the bumper worked really good. I tried it on a small spot and took the paint right off. I also tried it on part of the grille, it looks ok but did't put it on that big of a spot. The smell WOW!! Strong stuff. Will strip the bumper later this week, will let you know how it turned out
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,762
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From: Antelope Valley ,CA
make sure you're in a well ventalated are when using the stripper , i normally put a cardboard bow on th eground to catch the mess and a box fan to push the fumes away also if it seems to be drying before bubling you can put saran wrap on top ot the stripper it keps it "wet" longer .
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 227
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From: Plymouth, MI
Well i got the bumper and grille off the truck and started stripping the bumper late last night. Pretty much finished it up today looks great. That aircraft stripper is some good stuff but strong too. Got it on my arm and burned like hell!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Antelope Valley ,CA
OPPS forgot to warn you about that , make sure to wear eye protection too . i got a scar on my forehead from 1989 from the aircraft stripper . it's only a bb size but it sure did hurt .