Rugged Ridge Front Bumper

[brotherGood]

Our new to us '21 Willys came with a pre-installed Rugged Ridge front bumper. There are a couple spots where it looks like the finish has come off and rust is starting to peek through.

Per the website, this was powder coated. Should I take it off and have it re coated, or just sand it and paint it? I've never dealt with powder coating, so Im curious how paint would adhere.

https://ruggedridge.com/p/rugged-ridge-hd-stubby-front-bumper/v/jeep/wrangler-jl/2021/

Thanks.

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[IceBerg]

Just knock off the rust with a scraper, small brush, or wire wheel and touch it up with some black spray paint or automotive black touch up paint.

IF it bothers you that much it's probably close to the same cost to just buy a new bumper compared to stripping and reapplying powder coat.

 

[brotherGood]

Just knock off the rust with a scraper, small brush, or wire wheel and touch it up with some black spray paint or automotive black touch up paint.

IF it bothers you that much it's probably close to the same cost to just buy a new bumper compared to stripping and reapplying powder coat.

Im cheap, so my initial reaction was just to take the bumper off and spray it..ha!

I just wasnt sure with the powder coat as the "base" if paint would still adhere to it.

 

[dbp512]

I have the full width version of that bumper, and rust inhibitor spray paint works fine. It actually is a pretty close match for the color & texture

 

[brotherGood]

I have the full width version of that bumper, and rust inhibitor spray paint works fine. It actually is a pretty close match for the color & texture

Now that you mention the full width, thats what I have. I just grabbed the wrong link..ha!

Did you just spray the rust inhibitor, or did you lay that out as a base and spray something else over top?

 

[dbp512]

I used the discount rust-oleum that Harbor Freight used to sell (can't find it on their website, now they got the name brand stuff) and just gave it a few sprays before letting it dry. No prep work and nothing after to finish. Although my bumper was new, I just scraped it a bit fighting with it to get the winch installed, so it was to prevent rust instead of fixing it. So depending on how much rust your bumper has, it might be a bit more involved.

 

[brotherGood]

I used the discount rust-oleum that Harbor Freight used to sell (can't find it on their website, now they got the name brand stuff) and just gave it a few sprays before letting it dry. No prep work and nothing after to finish. Although my bumper was new, I just scraped it a bit fighting with it to get the winch installed, so it was to prevent rust instead of fixing it. So depending on how much rust your bumper has, it might be a bit more involved.

I've got a small spot where its (the rust) actually showing through near the hook on the DS, and then a couple small spots that have bubbled.

I do plan on adding a winch though, so maybe Ill do that sooner that later (or even while it's off). Not that she would ever use it, but the space is there so it needs to have one.

 

[Blade1668]

Our new to us '21 Willys came with a pre-installed Rugged Ridge front bumper. There are a couple spots where it looks like the finish has come off and rust is starting to peek through.

Per the website, this was powder coated. Should I take it off and have it re coated, or just sand it and paint it? I've never dealt with powder coating, so Im curious how paint would adhere.

https://ruggedridge.com/p/rugged-ridge-hd-stubby-front-bumper/v/jeep/wrangler-jl/2021/

Thanks.

I've got a similar one that was made for JK, the "best" fix is order delivery strip and paint yourself actually. I got the spots with rattle can.

 

[dbp512]

I've got a small spot where its (the rust) actually showing through near the hook on the DS, and then a couple small spots that have bubbled.

I do plan on adding a winch though, so maybe Ill do that sooner that later (or even while it's off). Not that she would ever use it, but the space is there so it needs to have one.

If it's what I'm picturing, then I'd likely just hit it with the rust inhibitor paint and call it a day. As for the install, if I remember correctly the skid plate prevents you from accessing the bolts for the winch once it's installed, so it makes sense to add it first.

 

[Flip]

As others have said, chip off the flakes, hit it with a rattle can of paint. Re-powder coated, Probably the cost of a new bumper or close to it.

My method: I removed it. Used a grinder and took it down to bare metal. I used a can of herculiner bed liner. It's holding up better than the powder coating, over 2 years now.

 

[ScotM]

I’m with @Flip on this one. I sanded , primed and bed lined. Looks great

 

[Flip]

I’m with @Flip on this one. I sanded , primed and bed lined. Looks great

That looks great! Nice job.

 

[Flip]

I’m with @Flip on this one. I sanded , primed and bed lined. Looks great

Many moons ago, I purchased a barricade rear bumper for my TJ. The powder coating started to flake off inside of 6 months. I was furious. I scraped off the flakes, touch up painted it for years. I didn't know about the bedliner back then. No more flaking, scraping, and painting, Its solid!

 

[ScotM]

Many moons ago, I purchased a barricade rear bumper for my TJ. The powder coating started to flake off inside of 6 months. I was furious. I scraped off the flakes, touch up painted it for years. I didn't know about the bedliner back then. No more flaking, scraping, and painting, Its solid!

I found out about through the forum. 9maybe your post) It was surprisingly easy to get a great finish. Your front bumper looks really great. I bought a beat up steel bumper off of marketplace, and for under 150 bucks refurbished it. I did replace the plastic pieces, and some bolts were missing

 

[Flip]

I found out about through the forum. 9maybe your post) It was surprisingly easy to get a great finish. Your front bumper looks really great. I bought a beat up steel bumper off of marketplace, and for under 150 bucks refurbished it. I did replace the plastic pieces, and some bolts were missing

My current bumper was really inexpensive when I bought 2 years ago - $225. Now they're over $400. I did a bull bar delete. At first I started to finish it with spray paint and of course I could see all my grinder marks, it looked like ! A can of Bedliner, problem solved and it has held up fantastic. On the trails and power washer.

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