Expedition One rear bumper: Integrated lights, or No Integrated lights

[N8RV]

Runt previously said:

I really want to be negative here.....but I will not as I just looked at my front bumper. EX1 makes nice stuff worth the wait and we all know it.

Not sure if you were directing your desire for negativity toward my post, but if so, please elaborate. I agree that the bumper looks good and fits well -- I posted as much when I installed it.

All I'm saying is that it doesn't look good rusted and peeling, and that I hope a different finish is planned. Is there something wrong with that? Should I post pictures?

[Runt]

Hi N8RV
No I was not directing anything towards you. I had the same issue with my bumper as well and had it locally recoated. EX1 in there earlier days had a poor quality powder coat provided by an outside source. Basically it was not prepped properly for harsh (road salt type areas) environments (fine for most areas). The coating cost was only 100 dollars when I bought my bumper. A good coating job afterwards was three hundred. The shop that recoated my bumper said the coating would be considered fine in most parts of the U.S. do to dryer conditions ....however up here the coating disintegrated. I will have my rear bumper shipped uncoated this time. James did tell me they have since changed powder coating companys. Far as the quote above I was reflecting on the length of time between updates etc. and staying positive/cutting EX1 some slack. I have been very tempted to just buy a rear bumper from another company......however, I believe the EX1 rear bumper looks like the best design and will be worth the wait....that was all I was getting at. Hopefully James will have that update real soon.....hint ...hint.....James

[N8RV]

Runt previously said:

Hi N8RV
No I was not directing anything towards you...

Thanks for the clarification, Runt. I just thought people should be aware that there are/have been issues with the quality of finish, that's all. It went on great, fits great, looks great ... but it's rusting.

I've contemplated removing mine and having it recoated, but the prospect doesn't fill me with warm fuzzies ...

[BSea]

N8RV previously said:

Not sure if you were directing your desire for negativity toward my post, but if so, please elaborate. I agree that the bumper looks good and fits well -- I posted as much when I installed it.

All I'm saying is that it doesn't look good rusted and peeling, and that I hope a different finish is planned. Is there something wrong with that? Should I post pictures?

I don't think it was aimed at you. I think he's just a little impatient (like most of us considering this bumper). It has been a long time in coming, but they've said they have had a few issues with it, and I'm pretty sure that this isn't their only project (didn't see a sarcasm smiley). So I think those that are willing to wait will be pleased with the end result.

As far as your rust issue is concerned, I also have a few rust spots. No peeling (yet). But I plan on doing a little touch up painting in the near future. My biggest problem area in inside the bumper where the winch mount is welded onto the front of the bumper. I may have to take the bumper off to get to it.

[illFJC]

N8RV previously said:

Thanks for the clarification, Runt. I just thought people should be aware that there are/have been issues with the quality of finish, that's all. It went on great, fits great, looks great ... but it's rusting.

I've contemplated removing mine and having it recoated, but the prospect doesn't fill me with warm fuzzies ...

+1 all the way to the warm fuzzies..

Sadly, I too purchased their front bumper (2nd owner with Diamond Style) and the P.C. is horrible. I def. do NOT want to take off the bumper and redo.. BUT, what else can I do.

I think EX1 is a fine company, but I just couldn't wait another year for a rear bumper. Nor was I very impressed by the P.C. on the front. Otherwise, love it!

[BSea]

Ok, I just got off the phone with James, and here's what he told me.

They are outsourcing the building of the rear bumper due to the expected volume. They just couldn't keep up with the demand in-house, so that 's the reason they outsourced the rear bumper. The company producing the bumper had a few problems reproducing the bumper, and that has been the reason for the delay.

Once the production problems are worked out, they expect to have the bumpers available in large supply. He hopes it will be September, but it should for sure be in the next 2 or 3 months. Personally, I'd rather they wait till they have a reliable supply before they start offering to take people's money. Anyone remember a certain other bumper company that took the money then waited months & months to ship?

As for the rust problems with previous bumpers, he suggested (in my case) to use textured rustomleum because it's almost an exact match to the powder coating. He also told me about a product called Pour 15 which bonds to rust, so you don't have to remove the rust prior to painting. I had heard about this before, but didn't know what it was called. So in hard to reach areas, I can use the Pour 15, and just use a wire wheel to get the rust of the places I can reach then just hit with a few coats of spray paint.

This problem should not happen with the new bumpers. The company they use now does a 2 step process that includes a zinc coating to inhibit rust, then a final powder coat. At least that's what I understood him to say. I know that doesn't help those with existing rust problems, but it should give those of us considering the rear bumper a comfort level that the rust problem is a thing of the past.

All in all, he took about 10 to 15 minutes giving me the update on the rear bumper, and it looks like there is a light at the end of a long tunnel. Both he and Sarah seem like really nice people, and the kind I like doing business with.

[illFJC]

Very good to hear! They truly are great people to work with.

[WyoOtto]

Just to clarify - its POR 15
POR15, Inc. - Stop Rust Permanently - Repair Gas & Fuel Tanks

[illFJC]

POR 15 is great stuff.

[BSea]

I just ordered the starter kit, which should be plenty for what I have to do.

Por15 Starter Kit

EDIT: Thanks for the correction WyoOtto.

Double Edit: But I didn't see that you posted their website too.