Brushed Bumper

[AintQik]

A while ago I saw a pic of somebody that steel wool'd a bumper and it had a brushed alum look to it. I can't find that pic or anybody that knows what I'm talking about. Just want to do a little research as I might go this route. I have no idea how you could do this by hand and have it look even.
rj

[brans72]

I think it was a red nova or chevelle right? I remember seeing it also. Ask on Lateral-G also.

[southernfriedcj]

Here's one:
https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67674

"Brushed nickle bumpers chrome plated along with all trim and wheels"

[The WidowMaker]

nickel plated, brushed and then chromed to seal it all in. i planned on doing it, but i have decided to either paint or chrome again. none of the shops around knew what i was talking about, and id hate to get the brushed nickel perfect only to have them bump it or scratch it and then chrome over it.

maybe theres another way?

[elitecustombody]

bead or media blast

[Nappy]

I am looking to do this to my car as well as the window trim mirrors etc... Does anyone have any experience with this that could guide me in the right direction?

[Fesler built]

We do it to cars all the time, its a very simple process just have to find someone you like to do the work. its also very expensive but the end result is sick.

1. take your bumper and have all dents worked out
2. copper plate the bumper and do normal stuff to get ready for next stage
3. nickle plate the bumper and then you will have to brush the complete bumper in one direction so it all matches perfect
4. take back to chrome shop and have them chrome and polish the bumper

This is what that will look like and like I said we have done a ton of parts this way

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0102-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0100-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0099-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0053-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0049-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0042-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0104-1.jpg

[Nappy]

***drooling** thats exactly how I envisioned it coming out! Thanks for the guidance Fesler I can start sourcing out a chrome shop in my area now that I know the procedure. They look like the brushing was just cleared over but your telling me it has to actually be chromed and polished after its brushed. Great info there. Anyone care to explain the science beind why it requires copper plating and then nickel plating and then brushed to chrome to polish? Being an automotive painter and metal worker the science behind getting a certain appearance out of a metal fascinates me.

[nacnac]

When you say "expensive", what do you mean? Ballpark it for me. $200, $500, $1000? I just want to get an idea because I plan to the brushed nickel thing too. Thanks

[GNon18s]

That chevelle really stuck in my head after I saw it at 09' SEMA specifically because of the bumpers! Most of those pictures don't even do it justice. They basically look like brushed aluminum in person!

[jay72nova]

a simpler way that I do on harleys all the time is to use a scotchbright pad with some thin oil like wd40, just be careful not to go all the way through the chrome. If you want perfection the prior methods might be better for a high end build....but it works for me.

[BigMal69]

I heard it's time intensive, and thus pretty expensive, to have the chrome shops try to mimic that process.

[kitchen415]

Love those Fesler bumpers - but because I'm planning a front end swap I might try the scotchbright method first and see how it works on the bumper I'm gonna throw out - anyone have pictures of the DIY method?

[Lenie]

We do it to cars all the time, its a very simple process just have to find someone you like to do the work. its also very expensive but the end result is sick.

1. take your bumper and have all dents worked out
2. copper plate the bumper and do normal stuff to get ready for next stage
3. nickle plate the bumper and then you will have to brush the complete bumper in one direction so it all matches perfect
4. take back to chrome shop and have them chrome and polish the bumper

This is what that will look like and like I said we have done a ton of parts this way

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0102-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0100-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0099-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0053-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0049-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0042-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2010/01/Img0104-1.jpg

Chris, I saw these wheels on your camaro at Sema. What size were the wheels? Could you PM me a price in these wheels in a 19x12 and 18x9 w/the same finishes. Sorry for hijacking the thread but great pics.

[AintQik]

Well while we are diggin up old ghosts, I tried and tried to do this by hand and it just wouldn't work. I'm fairly expereinced with the impossible, but I couldn't make it happen. Powdercoated them flat black.

Props to Fesler. That looks just ridiculously good.

[nekkidhillbilly]

the is a dull aluminum powder coat that gives a similar effect

doing my car that way

[Dr G]

I talked to two chrome shops in the LA area that were familiar with the process. And it does sound labor intensive. Personally I will probably go with double nickel coat over copper and then just Scotchbrite it myself. It will oxidize yes, but I can touch it up. And it is more likely to match the many stainless trim pieces that I can simply Scotchbrite.

Gustave

[John510]

Whats an approx price to do this to a bumper? 500? 2000?

[nekkidhillbilly]

with the powdercoat it be like a 100 bucks or so

[prosuperstar]

couldn't you just strip off the chrome then brush it and have it chrome powder coated on top of that?

[MonzaRacer]

ok the process is repair of the bumper as it has to have perfect metal work,,,most times in after the hand work it is heavy copper plating which for the body and paint guys this is the "primer" and brings a smooth surface to the part, if you see a new rechrome bumper it might still have fine scratches up close,, this means cheap or poorly done.
Then after they prep that by sanding, polishing, recopper plating and then it gets a good heavy nickel coat or coats. you will then do your brush work , most will use various scotch brite pads then the chrome plating seals the surface as it is more like a clear coat, but takes away most of the yellow tinge that nickle has.
i did do a few small parts with rattle can chrome paint and white(fine) scotch brite after its good a cured then a heavy high solids clear coat with touch of flex agent and touch of hardener (did this in laquer last time).

[nekkidhillbilly]

couldn't you just strip off the chrome then brush it and have it chrome powder coated on top of that?

well if you did that why would you need it powder coated maybeye a clear dull coat would be a good idea but thats about it. that said sandblaster and the pc would be easier and just as cheap.

[maxxom]

We do it to cars all the time, its a very simple process just have to find someone you like to do the work. its also very expensive but the end result is sick.

1. take your bumper and have all dents worked out
2. copper plate the bumper and do normal stuff to get ready for next stage
3. nickle plate the bumper and then you will have to brush the complete bumper in one direction so it all matches perfect
4. take back to chrome shop and have them chrome and polish the bumper

This is what that will look like and like I said we have done a ton of parts this way

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Please clarify your instructions. I contacted a local plating company, showed them this post and below is their reply. I am confused.


That is the finish that we are speaking about, the only thing I am questioning is the process you are describing. You only have a small window of time to put the chrome onto the bumper after it has been nickel plated. The process you are describing far exceeds that window of opportunity. It is not plausible to put chrome on to a brushed nickel bumper. The usual process for brushed nickel or satin finish, which is the exact finish you are seeing on the pictures that you sent to me, is: straightening & dent removal - stripping - grinding - polishing - nickel strike - copper - copper buff - bright nickel - and then brush. We have never put chrome on to a brushed nickel finish as it is not a plausible application.

[maxxom]

I found a plater that can do this. I tested them with the heater delete plate on my 70 Camaro. It is very expensive and leaves dark finger prints when touched. Easily cleaned off but seems like it would be high maintenance.

[GNon18s]

Bump. Anybody doing this?