Bumper covers or just paint the bumper?

[PT2B]

I know this is one of the first things I will do if/when I get a Cruiser this week. I saw that Xenon makes bumpers covers for the front and back bumpers. Is there any reason I should buy these and get them painted, vs. just painting the existing bumpers? I just want them to match the body color of the car (black or Patriot blue at this point). Thanks!

Chris

[CREWZIN]

PT2B,

I haven't done it so far, but I've seen em painted on a hundred different cars. Chrysler is cming out with a GOLD car for 2002 with the bumpers painted the same as the body color. They really look good but don't spare the cash when getting them painted if your gonna use the OEM bumpers. I lot of work has to be done and use of the proper primer, paint and flex material has to be correct. At the PT show in Niagra Falls there was a truck with a high pressure washer for anyone that wanted a free car wash after driving all the way to the falls. I saw two PT's with the paint peeling off the front bumpers because of the high pressure wash. The after market covers seem to be the way to go but it seems that it would have to be a bigger cover to fit over the exsisting bumper and I'm not sure how that would look. Anybdy out there have experience with the bumper cover <img src=icon_smile_question.gif border=0 align=middle>

CREWZIN

[cruiserjim]

I have Zenons front & rear and love them! I put them on myself - took a few hours. The rear is larger than, but better than, the original factory rear "bumper". It comes all the way around the side of the car to the rear of the rear wheel well opening and includes a small mud-flap. The front is the same exact shape as the original "bumper" just thicker by the thickness of the urethane material. The rear goes on very easily, the front is MUCH more time-consuming and best done with 2 people.

Cruiserjim: 5 speed black Limited; ABS/4-whl discs; 17" wheels/tires; Progress sway bars and strut tower brace; H&R springs; Xenon bumper covers fr/rr; Bassani duals; home-made intake mod; lots of other goodies!

[chino]

I had my OEM bumpers painted. They looked great until
people at work that can't park started bumping them
and making them peal!
If you do most of your driving in the city,
go for the covers instead.

Hopes this helps!

[DeKing]

I recommend the Xenon bumper covers. I have all the Xenon front, rear, and side panels installed and love them! The OEM bumpers need to be sanded smooth before painting in order to look good, lots of work.... If you install the rear bumper cover, you should extend the exhaust pipe out some. I installed the Bassani Cat-Back dual exhaust that's made for the Xenon bumper cover with longer tailpipes. Looks great and sounds awesome too!!