3rd gen paint decision, color match the front and rear bumpers or chrome?

[russg]

Car is finally in for paint and body    my back bumper could use replating as it will not look as good as the rest of the car with it's little bit of surface pitting.  Trying to decide if I should just paint it same color as the body and maybe the mirrors as well.  On some cars I've seen here it doesn't look to bad.  What are your opinions on color matching the front and rear bumpers, good idea or bad?  It's not a numbers matching car so that doesn't factor in for me.  It will be Viper red with flat black on side window louvers and a flat black bumble bee stripe on the tail

Here is the before (same pic as sig avatar)


By russg at 2009-11-19

Here's how it looks today!

By russg at 2010-05-21

[MoparManJim]

Okay, half of me are saying leave the mirrors chrome. 
The other is say different  . 

How would the car look with black mirrors? It would tie in with the paint scheme.   

[russg]

Hmm, maybe flat black all the chrome?

[ChgrSteve67]

Chrome
Chrome
Chrome
Chrome
Chrome
Chrome

[MoparManJim]

Hmm, maybe flat black all the chrome?

Theres an idea man, but can someone on here photo chop a photo so you see what it would like?

[jaak]

Me personally, I sorta like color-keyed bumpers on 3rd Gens. Thought about doing the same with mine when it comes time to paint. I think it all depends on the color too, I think a darker color car would look better chrome, where as a brighter color looks good with painted bumpers.

My  

Jason

[MoparManJim]

Well, if he's going to stick with those rims that is in the top photo, then black chrome would be the way to go along with the black stripe on the rear of the car. As that would really set the car off with those rims on the car 

[71383bee]

I am VERY biased on this subject...

[KWS]

It's all about personal preference. In your case, I'd go with red on the bumpers. From the looks of your car in the top pic, it doesn't seem like chrome is really the look you're going for.

Painting the bumpers of 3rd gens actually gives you the illusion of making the car look a little smaller... and for these cars, that's a good thing in my opinion. These sucker are big and long.

[mikesbbody]

Could you not paint it first, see what you think if you like it keep it if you don't then chrome the bumpers. On 71's I like colored bumpers, or hideaway's on 72's I like Hideaway's. I'm with Kenny on this one I have a 72 SE it's a Green Go Type color (lighter Green) it has black hideaway's and colored bumpers (painted of course) I like the look of it but, if I had 71 Hideaway's I would chrome the bumpers 

[Charger-Bodie]

Me personally, I sorta like color-keyed bumpers on 3rd Gens. Thought about doing the same with mine when it comes time to paint. I think it all depends on the color too, I think a darker color car would look better chrome, where as a brighter color looks good with painted bumpers.

My  

Jason

My thoughts exactly.   

[tan top]

Me personally, I sorta like color-keyed bumpers on 3rd Gens. Thought about doing the same with mine when it comes time to paint. I think it all depends on the color too, I think a darker color car would look better chrome, where as a brighter color looks good with painted bumpers.

My  

Jason

My thoughts exactly.   

  yeah difficult to decide though look great color coded  or Chrome

[elacruze]

Chrome
Chrome
Chrome
Chrome
Chrome
Chrome

Chrome
Chrome
Chrome
Chrome
Chrome
Chrome

These questions should always have a poll so I don't have to offend anyone by saying how fugly painted chrome is.
But I agree, paint them first and if you don't like it, the cost to rechrome is not increased.

[71charger_fan]

Chrome. It is completely subjective, but you asked for opinions. Personally, I've never seen a 3rd gen with body-colored bumpers that I didn't think would look better with chrome.

[Dodgecharger74]

i vote chrome

[69DodgeCharger]

3rd Gens look good with painted bumpers. And a nice freshly painted bumper trumps a faded or poorly rechromed one anyday, at a far lesser price. If you've got mint chrome bumpers (and who does) then it's a non issue.

[russg]

Front bumper looks good, back needs rechromed, I do love the look of 71383b and Kenny's black 72 (hope you make the HotRod tour, I'll be visiting at the Newton,Iowa stop).   Just wonder how red would look.  My 73 does have hideaways.
Thanks for the comments!

[tan top]

can you get fiberglass bumpers !!    color code them & keep the chrome for as & when you fancy a change 

[69*F5*SE]

What color is the car going to be?

[russg]

It will be Dodge Viper Red with flat black stripes, I will try to do some computer work with this simple tirerack picture... for 3rd geners, cut and paste this web address and test out different paint colors!

http://www.tirerack.com/wheels/MiniWheelSearchServlet?nonWinter=true&partNum=1054665AML&autoMake=Dodge&autoModel=Charger&autoYear=1973&autoModClar=340%2F440+OE+Engine&wIndex=5&grid=true&sw=1280

[Johnny SixPack]

Color match bumpers, wheels and mirrors. 

[devilgear]

Color match...I know many people will disagree, but anything chrome just looks cheap...Polished looks ok, but there is allways just a cheapness to the chrome to me I just do not like...Are you gonna tuck the bumpers in at all?

[Long Island RT]

I'm jaded towards painted - especially when you're going for that resto-mod look.  Chrome is great when you looking for a stock look.

I don't know if 3rd gens have bumper bolts - but if you do go the painted route - shave 'em.

By the way - your car was sweet looking before you striped it - I can't wait to see when your done.

[Charger74]

I'm jaded towards painted - especially when you're going for that resto-mod look.  Chrome is great when you looking for a stock look.

I don't know if 3rd gens have bumper bolts - but if you do go the painted route - shave 'em.

By the way - your car was sweet looking before you striped it - I can't wait to see when your done.

Yeah, they have to bolts sticking out.  I plan on shave my bolts on the front and back.  Not decided on chrome or paint, but I like both. 

I think with the color your going with, paint 'em.

[68blue]

I saw a red painted bumper 68 at Mecum's and it took something away from the car, probably because I just looks right chromed. A third generation might be different.

[RogerDodger]

Color match them. Weld in the bolts and grind them off smooth first. And get rid of the rubber fillers. Move the bumpers closer to the body.

[71383bee]

Color match them. Weld in the bolts and grind them off smooth first. And get rid of the rubber fillers. Move the bumpers closer to the body.

that looks sweet!

did you change or keep the rear lights?

Its like dueling banjo's!?!?  Now we just need Beer to come in!

[RogerDodger]

Color match them. Weld in the bolts and grind them off smooth first. And get rid of the rubber fillers. Move the bumpers closer to the body.

that looks sweet!

did you change or keep the rear lights?

Its like dueling banjo's!?!?  Now we just need Beer to come in!

Kept the rear lights. I like your 71 lights better!

[71383bee]

Nicely done.

i have the stock 71's for sale...

Might look good in satin.  I changed to the louvered style because...well is there a reason NOT too!   

Then!


Now!

[Charger 1]

I'm partial to painted bumpers on 3rd generation Chargers...................

[71383bee]

I'm partial to painted bumpers on 3rd generation Chargers...................

Cool a 72 SE with a hardtop!

[russg]

The more pics of color matched bumpers I see, the more I like it on this body style, I hope the painter can see about pulling the bumpers in closer to the body.  Thanks everyone for your input.  BTW the before pic of my car may look good from a distance but it was a poor paint job, you can't see all the peeling, flaking paint and worn through rough areas on the hood and roof.  It really needed fresh paint, I hope it turns out well.  Original color on this car was a rootbeer brown