Better bumper for salty winters roads.

Z71Silverado · July 21, 2013

I need a new rear bumper for my 2004 silverado. I am looking at a all black powder coated bumper or the oem chrome bumper. What bumper will outlast the other for New york winters? The oem chrome one lasted about 7 winters before rust started breaking through the chrome. The black one is $65 less as well. Any opinions appreciated. Thanks.

Wires · July 21, 2013

My OEM chrome on my '00 started to get little rust specs under warranty. Dealership said it was normal, and to wax it. That's all I did. I had the truck for 8 years, and every spring I'd wax the bumper (we get a lot of salt/snow up here). It never progressed further than little specs each spring.

Z71Silverado · July 21, 2013

It's not little specs. It's rusted all the way through the chrome. I polished and waxed the bumper about 6 times a year. I can put my finger through the bumper in two different spots.

MikeNH · July 22, 2013

Not anything specific on these trucks but I know on Ford HD trucks the black bumpers on base models always seem rougher looking than their chrome counterparts after a few years.

Bob D · July 24, 2013

I would think any well applied chrome finish would be more resistant to corrosion than paint.
That said, when I replaced mine recently ('03 Silv. in New England), I cleaned the inside and applied a good undercoating.

Imagine the interior bumper profile and picture the pummeling it takes when doing 60mph in foul conditions.

Cowpie · July 27, 2013

Well, since I did damage to mine already, I am looking at this one to put on......

http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com/Bumpers/Ranch-Hand-Sport-Rear-Bumper

May not be the best for salt and such, but nothing a little Rustoleum can't cure each spring. And it will be a lot more durable for my uses. That city chrome bumper is a total waste around the farm. Been having to do this bumper replacement thing to pickups for decades. I already disabled those stupid park assist sensors, so just need to replace the bumper. Pretty bad when I have a pickup just since the 1st week of June and I have to replace the rear bumper already! Well, if its not one thing, it's another.