Bumper spring bars

[biomed32uk]

What is the correct colour for the bumper mounting spring bar, I know the answer is whatever pleases me, but what would it have been originally.

It had been painted black, badly, over rust which never works, hence I have taken it apart to redo.

Looks like it may have been galvanized at one point.

[ianmack]

All those I've seen had black paint, or remains of it. I did mine a few years ago and have just noticed they are rusty again, it's hard to remove every speck of rust. I guess blasting and coating is the long term solution.

[ManyMinors]

Yes, they were always painted black. I don't suppose a great deal of thought was given to rust prevention at the factory though so just a quick coat would have been deemed sufficient

[biomed32uk]

Thanks for that, I quite believe that they would have only got a cursory lick.

The needle gun got most of the old paint off, followed by the wire wheel in the angle grinder, which is vicious, and then some jenolite.

Black it is then, you can only see the part by the mounts anyway, and I am thinking of having it powder coated. Also time to sort the valence out which is looking scruffy underneath, that's been cleaned up, rubbed down, treated, stonechipped and will then go back to almond green rather than the dirty silver it was.

My bumper blade is also well past its best, well patinated and quite rusty on the back. Its always been one of those jobs to do since I bought the car. Seems to be not much confidence in the new ones on sale by what I read, but are there any decent ones available.

Car is not used in the winter so theres no salt going over it if thats what kills the new chrome.

[bmcecosse]

Don't fuss about silly 'powder coating' - it's a 'fad' and no better than a good coat of 'garden gate' paint from Poundland. It's nice and thick - like a chassis black - and works a treat on parts like this.