Rear bumper repaint

since you have a surface rust issue- (minor or more severe)-if
it is not completey removed(sand blasting etc.) it will return.
That may cost the big bucks and then you can paint it any color
you wish without worry about it not lasting. Problem is is that
these items were never properly treated for long term paint
results. If there is a John Deere dealer near you they have spray
bomb(can) product named Blitz Black. They use it for chassis paint and
it dries to a wounderfull satin black finish. so just clean up the metal as best you can and paint. the stuff is forgiving in results
and can be touched up easily.

ericsmith32 wrote:
Not interested in strengthening the bumper any. Would rather have a bumper bend vs the frame...

Your RV is built on a TRUCK chassis. Consider the strength of the truck frame rails, and the strength of the RV's rear bodywork, and ask yourself which is more likely to sustain damage if something hits that glorified gutter downspout of a rear bumper.

You're not going to bend the frame backing into something at 1-2 mph. However, that same 1-2 mph collision will crumple your flimsy aluminum rear bumper, pushing it right into your structurally brittle bodywork. (Unfortunately, spoken from experience.)

After I crumpled my stock aluminum bumper, we had a steel box-beam bumper fabricated (with capped-off ends), painted it black with Rustoleum, and then riveted a decorative aluminum cap over the length of the bumper, bend into an "L" shape to cover the top and rear of the new bumper.

Those stock bumpers are nothing more than a cosmetic place to store your stinky slinky, and perhaps a step. However, they offer next to no protection.

paint it with that paint they use for truck bedliners.

ericsmith32 wrote:
Not interested in strengthening the bumper any. Would rather have a bumper bend vs the frame. Was wanting to use up the paint I already have. Still debating.

I would agree with you, keep the bumper (if you can). I would use the "Rustoleum" as that is more likely to last. If by chance the bumper deteriorates further, my 2nd motorhome had a rear bumper from a Kenworth -

I purchased the motorhome from an "over the road" truck driver who replaced both the front and rear bumpers. Both were 3/8" thick aluminum.

Don't be cheap. Paint it the color you want and use good paint or you'll be back doing it again. Rustoleum is tougher than Krylon from my experience. Your labor is worth something too. Put the pain you have on the shelf. It will keep a long time.

Not interested in strengthening the bumper any. Would rather have a bumper bend vs the frame. Was wanting to use up the paint I already have. Still debating.

Why not just paint it white Rustoleum ?

That square tube bumper on our Itasca is aluminum.

Dusty

stubblejumper wrote:
If you want more protection and don't use the bumper for storage, put a piece of 3" or 4" steel pipe inside , tack weld it in place and put the end caps back on. Will help keep it from buckling if hit.

great idea. if you dont have a welder a few #10 self tapping screws woild work too

If you want more protection and don't use the bumper for storage, put a piece of 3" or 4" steel pipe inside , tack weld it in place and put the end caps back on. Will help keep it from buckling if hit.