Thats my question. My bodyman sugguest I not put my chrome back on (besides my luggage rack and nerf bars) because I'm setting myself up for rust. He says he can make it look really cool with just a solid black and a pin stripe (Which I want anyway). So what do you guys think? No chrome or chrome? I was thinking I'd see what it looked like w/o it after he painted it and then go from there

 

Chrome does look cool, but it takes a lot of work to keep it rust free. If you treat the chrome with on a regular basis with a wax like substance and aviod scratches, it will extend the life of the chrome.

 

yo, I prefer black. See my Gallery for the black Setina Push Bar + nerfs.

I plan to black-out all the plastic chr. on the grille, etc soon. BTW, the fr. bumper and door handle chrome pitted despite freq. hand washing and waxing. Ford would not replace or repair these parts after 12 months on the orig fact warranty. But here are the f***in TSB's:

Make: FORD TRUCK Model: BRONCO Year: 1996

Service Bulletin Number: 960801 Bulletin Sequence Number: 41 Date of Bulletin: 08/96

NHTSA Item Number: 049102
Component: STRUCTURE:BUMPER ASSEMBLY
Summary:
BUMPER CORROSION.

and:

Make: FORD TRUCK Model: BRONCO Year: 1996

Service Bulletin Number: 961716 Bulletin Sequence Number: 42 Date of Bulletin: 08/96

NHTSA Item Number: 049218
Component: STRUCTURE:BUMPER ASSEMBLY
Summary:
FRONT BUMPER-PREMATURE SIGNS OF WEAR &/OR CHROME CRACKING.

 

It would be more expensive, but gloss black powdercoating would be a slick way to go.....

 

When in doubt, install more chrome

 

Also you could have your parts rhinolined. This looks good and it prevents scratches and rust. chrome is not like it used to be it will eventualy rust.

 

You are setting your self up for rust but not very fast in the front but with the rear tires kicking all that crap up it will only last a few years in the back(happened to my 93), i dont know what state you live in but what i do is take it off durring winter so salt doesent get traped and eat the paint IMO if you just take it off and clean the area once in a while you shouldent have a problem but just think about what kinda of stuff in your area will get traped and decide if its gonna be a problem

96 Bronco, Eddie Bauer, 351w, auto

 

I love chrome personally but the comment that its not what it used to be is so very true. If you had chrome applied as it was to the front bumper of a '56 Buick, I'd say keep the chrome but we all know they don't make 'em like they used to.

 

Well. It's just the crome running along the sides. It's all just plastic crap anyway. I think I'll just leave it off and take the luggage rack off too. Maybe. I dunno. I know I'm keeping my Nerf Bars and my stainless steel vents

 

Try Eagle One acid mag cleaner on your chrome when you wash it. Just spray it on and the chrome comes clean even with a garden hose. Colorado started using magnesium chloride on the roads a few years ago and that's how I keep my chrome shiny with no polishing. It'll even knock the rust stains off as long as you get to them before it starts to pit. For anyone wanting to know what mag chloride is, it's leeched out of the Great Salt Lake. Used on a dirt road as a binder, it's 30% and when used as a de-icer it's 27%.