Rust on steel bumper of black diamond

[nhbronco]

Hey all, new to the forum!

I took delivery of my 4 door black diamond bronco on Friday. I noticed on Saturday a small rust spot on the bumper. It's really small right now (see picture), but I live by the ocean and it will get worse quickly. If the ocean doesn't do it, the winter salt will.

I noticed around the paint chip that there is hardly any primer (if any at all). Looks like a very thin layer of paint.

Anyone else notice this?

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[Tricky Dick]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the bumpers powdercoated and doesn't powdercoating not use primer?

 

[BandofEskimoBrothers]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the bumpers powdercoated and doesn't powdercoating not use primer?

Correct. Powercoating is a baked application. Like ceramic glaze.

 

[Bronco21fan]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the bumpers powdercoated and doesn't powdercoating not use primer?

 

[Rayder]

And that's why I didn't want the steel bumpers. Been there, done that.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the bumpers powdercoated and doesn't powdercoating not use primer?

Small shop near me epoxy primes before the powdercoat.
That's about the extent of my knowledge on the powdercoating process.
The material is very durable but in my opinion does not bond to the steel very well. It just kind of mostly sits on top of it. Maybe it's just shoddy preparation.
Chips allow water to seep under, which leads to rust, which lifts more of the coating ......

Ironically, sand blasting steel to a course finish and then applying epoxy primer makes for an incredibly durable finish on its own merit.
I prefer this method instead of powdercoating.
For the frame, bumpers and driveline stuff, chips and scratches can be touched up, and if not touched up, it is far less prone to rust creep than powdercoating.

I know it sucks to worry about on a brand new vehicle, but my initial thought when reading the OP was, "Let it ride for awhile then have the bumper blasted and epoxy primed".
SPI makes an UV stable satin black epoxy primer.
It's really good stuff.

 

[Bronco cat]

And that's why I didn't want the steel bumpers. Been there, done that.

Unfortunately need them for the factory bash plate on most models. Plus if you plan on off reading need a recovery point.

 

[nhbronco]

Yup... powder coated and no primer. Brain freeze there. I think you are right about letting it ride and do it right later. I'm not a big fan of powder coats in general.

I'll try some touch up on it. Won't match perfectly but at least it's black.

 

[Tricky Dick]

Small shop near me epoxy primes before the powdercoat.
That's about the extent of my knowledge on the powdercoating process.
The material is very durable but in my opinion does not bond to the steel very well. It just kind of mostly sits on top of it. Maybe it's just shoddy preparation.
Chips allow water to seep under, which leads to rust, which lifts more of the coating ......

Ironically, sand blasting steel to a course finish and then applying epoxy primer makes for an incredibly durable finish on its own merit.
I prefer this method instead of powdercoating.
For the frame, bumpers and driveline stuff, chips and scratches can be touched up, and if not touched up, it is far less prone to rust creep than powdercoating.

I know it sucks to worry about on a brand new vehicle, but my initial thought when reading the OP was, "Let it ride for awhile then have the bumper blasted and epoxy primed".
SPI makes an UV stable satin black epoxy primer.
It's really good stuff.

I was just reading up on powdercoating and it looks like primer is optional. I'm guessing Ford skipped it.

I'm a big fan of Rustoleum Hammerite for my offroad armor. Pretty cheap, hides imperfections, and easy to touch up.

 

[Toccoa]

Quick rusting bumpers? We really are reliving the 70’s.

 

[nhbronco]

Sucks to have rust on a car with less than 200 miles.

 

[MaverickMan]

You live near the ocean. Rust is inevitable. I imagine that the bumper should be thick enough that you can paint it after all its other rust spot freinds show up.

 

[JaxGtc]

I don't doubt what you are seeing, but by the picture, I can't see anything.

 

[nhbronco]

I don't doubt what you are seeing, but by the picture, I can't see anything.

It's tiny right now.

My issue is lack of durability. The bumper will get all kinds of debris on it. Based on this, it's probably the first chip of many.

 

[Raptor911]

Please provide evidence that oem bumpers are powered coated. I doubt they are as powder coating is very labor intensive in that they have to be baked in an oven. Most oem parts are painted. Also if you had a choice between paint and powered coating, I would take powdered coating all day long as it is much more durable and also no orange peel.

Why do you think high end wheels are powdered coated?

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