Painting Steel Bumpers

[WamboJambo]

So I've been in the process of stripping off all the rust and repainting all the stock white painted steel sections of my 78 C10 that would normally be chromed (it was an absolute base model), e.g. bumpers, mirrors, and rims. Now that I'm to the bumpers, I'm curious if it's necessary to paint the back side of it, or if it would be good enough just to prime it and leave it there. I can't imagine a lot of water gets trapped back there, and no one can see it, so I don't have a real strong justification for painting the rear sides of the bumpers as well. Anyone have any insight? Thanks in advance

 

[Charlie]

 

[CSFJ]

Use an epoxy primer as a base, and you can leave it primed if you like.

 

[WamboJambo]

Thanks for the welcome! I'll make a proper "Introduction" post once I get some pictures together..


Thanks for the info CSFJ; unfortunately I used a urethane primer instead of epoxy since it was "self-etching".. not sure if that means I have to paint over it unlike the epoxy primer? I'm new to this stuff and just bought some cans of automotive primer at the hardware store, trying to balance budget and longevity. I'm sure I'll have to repaint in a few years, just trying not to do much more than is necessary.

 

[Shorty81]

Use an epoxy primer as a base, and you can leave it primed if you like.

X2

 

[Shorty81]

Welcome from the ole Buckeye State.

 

[Wumbo]

Thanks for the welcome! I'll make a proper "Introduction" post once I get some pictures together..


Thanks for the info CSFJ; unfortunately I used a urethane primer instead of epoxy since it was "self-etching".. not sure if that means I have to paint over it unlike the epoxy primer? I'm new to this stuff and just bought some cans of automotive primer at the hardware store, trying to balance budget and longevity. I'm sure I'll have to repaint in a few years, just trying not to do much more than is necessary.

Paint it. Epoxy primer will protect metal from moisture, rattle can/urethane/self etching primers will not.

 

[WamboJambo]

Paint it. Epoxy primer will protect metal from moisture, rattle can/urethane/self etching primers will not.

That makes sense, that was what I had originally heard about primers in general but I didn't know much about epoxy primers. I just figured since the bumpers are tucked up against body panels they wouldn't get a lot of water in there, but life finds a way I imagine. Thanks all for the assistance, I'll cough up the extra few bucks for another paint can.

 

[Wumbo]

That makes sense, that was what I had originally heard about primers in general but I didn't know much about epoxy primers. I just figured since the bumpers are tucked up against body panels they wouldn't get a lot of water in there, but life finds a way I imagine. Thanks all for the assistance, I'll cough up the extra few bucks for another paint can.

Hit it with a can of rattle can paint or clear. You'll be fine.

 

[ali_c20]

I used black epoxy primer for the backside, no paint.

 

[Remo76C15]

I used black epoxy primer for the backside, no paint.

Same here