Stock Chrome Bumpers - Paint 'em? Wrap 'em? Replace 'em?

[MADDOG]

My last two 2500 Rams had body-colored bumpers front and rear:




My 2024 2500 did not:



I would like them to be body-colored or matte black. I'm wondering what you folks have done to change up your stock chrome bumpers.

I've heard that painting over chrome is not a good idea and stripping chrome from them is difficult and expensive. If I've heard wrong, let me know!

I've seen some incredible wrap modifications done but for those who have done that, how has it held up?

Lastly, replacing them looks like the best way to get the matte black look without all the time, work and expense.

What say you? Have you modified or replaced your bumpers and what did you do?

Looking forward to hearing back when you have the time to respond.

Thanks!

 

[Grams]

I’ve always “thought” I preferred chrome bumpers….. Perhaps because that’s all I ever had…. until the wife’s ‘18 Toyota Sienna (van). Then I quit noticing.

As for my trucks….chrome is all I ever had…so that’s what looked “right” to me. Until I got tired of replacing the cheap, paper-thin bumpers made these days.
They’re all for show….not really “bumpers for protection”….as originally intended. After replacing the rear chrome bumper on my 2012 Ram 1500 for the 3rd time….I decided to get a “Real” bumper… a welded Pipe bumper in Black!
And, suddenly…THAT is what looks good to me.



Then… I WRECKED that truck the VERY NEXT WEEK!

Soooo…. being out of state needing to tow the trailer back home….I bought what was available …a 2024 Ram…with BODY-COLOR-PAINTED bumpers….and ……Now…... THAT looks fine to me as-well. (see my avatar)

I guess, when it comes to bumpers…. I’m sans-convictions….

 

[1stindoor]

Where are you located? I have a front bumper from my 2023 2500 in black. You're welcome to it.

 

[MADDOG]

Where are you located? I have a front bumper from my 2023 2500 in black. You're welcome to it.

Thanks for the offer.

I am in Arizona

 

[Grams]

Where are you located? I have a front bumper from my 2023 2500 in black. You're welcome to it.

Thanks for the offer.

I am in Arizona

We need to start a thread…. so that when one of us is travelling from Timbuktu to Goshknowswhere …. we might allow a treasure to be aboard the the trailer or in the bed.

 

[diymirage]

Personally, I think if the manufacturer chromed a bumper, and then someone else painted it...it looks cheap
The word 'flipper' comes to mind

 

[MADDOG]

We need to start a thread…. so that when one of us is travelling from Timbuktu to Goshknowswhere …. we might allow a treasure to be aboard the the trailer or in the bed.

In the audio community we call it "The Pony Express".

A member will post info on a trip they are planning and offer to haul items for a nominal fee.

Conversely, a member will post asking if anyone might be traveling through their area and are headed to or through a particular area and can deliver something for them.

 

[WaltKowalski74]

If you are going to paint the chrome bumper, then do the rest of the truck in rainbow.

 

[MADDOG]

If you are going to paint the chrome bumper, then do the rest of the truck in rainbow.

View attachment 580027

Not gonna happen.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

My last two 2500 Rams had body-colored bumpers front and rear:

View attachment 579761
View attachment 579762

My 2024 2500 did not:

View attachment 579763

I would like them to be body-colored or matte black. I'm wondering what you folks have done to change up your stock chrome bumpers.

I've heard that painting over chrome is not a good idea and stripping chrome from them is difficult and expensive. If I've heard wrong, let me know!

I've seen some incredible wrap modifications done but for those who have done that, how has it held up?

Lastly, replacing them looks like the best way to get the matte black look without all the time, work and expense.

What say you? Have you modified or replaced your bumpers and what did you do?

Looking forward to hearing back when you have the time to respond.

Thanks!

A friend had the same dilemma on his 3500, so he got the bumpers wrapped and then had the thick (I think 10mm or thicker) XPEL PPF put on afterward, and had them also glue down all the edges so there would be zero chance of peeling.

He logs heavy annual miles, and in the few years since he had them done they are still looking like brand new.

 

[Dean2]

I agree Canuck - Wrap would be the cheapest and least likely to chip option. I LOVE chrome so I wouldn't do that. I put a transformer mount on the front for my winch because I could not get a chrome winch bumper.