I'm going to but psc bfh front and rear bumpers and didn't know if I should powder coat or just get painted what's the difference. I think I want more of a shiny black finish to match my wheels. If you have pics that would help

 

If you plan on really beating on it, then go rattle can so you can touch up easier. I powder coated mine and love the look and texture. Just make sure they metalize it first or else the powder coat will chip and you will get rust. Mine should hold up to the elements fine due to the 2 step process plus their prep work.

 

So when I go to get it done what do I tell them I want to make sure all steps are done

 

Just ask the company you have powder coating the bumper what prep steps they take and how many stages they do their coating processing in mine were also done in a two stage but my PSC Bumper was lightly sandblasted to give that perfect smooth texture and it also gets rid of all the metal impurities. Not that there was any on my bumper it pretty much came pefect its just an extra step they do before coating it. But if you are going to beat the hell out of it look into line-x ing it

 

Make sure they aren't just spraying right into the steel. They should metalize it with a non corrosive spray on metal that will seal it up and prevent rusting. Then powder coat over that. So ask then "how do I make it last the longest without rust or chipping?" And they should tell you the process. Don't pay more than $300. $300 is a lot but depending on where you live, prices vary so $250 is good for sandblast, metallization, and powder coat.

 

Better get good prep work, over here nothing I try lasted over a year so far. It never passed the winter without rusting, the jk is my dd and it see a lot of highway...
Now trying line-x will see next summer how it hold

 

Did you start with a good metal etching primer with what you tried?