Hello! I live in Atlantic Canada where rust is an inevitability. we salt roads in the winter, and winter is 6 months long, Bazinga.

My question is, what bumper manufacturers (if any) finishes hold up best to corrosion? or is there any i should just stay away from?
I haven't found much in my searches. Obviously powercoat is better than paint, but surely not all powdercoats are created equal.

 

I don't think any powder coat will hold up especially once you get a rock chip. I would go with a bed liner product like line x

 

thats what im worried about, buy and expensive bumper and then have to go have it lineX'ed. i guess i could get an unfinished bumper

 

The problem with powder coat is that it can't get into small spaces. If taken care of, the coating is very durable. The issue is in small corners and weld seams. It will start to rust in those areas very quickly.

You could paint it yourself. Paint is much better at getting onto all of the metal surface.

Last and best option to avoid rust is with aluminum. You'd still want to coat it, but rust wouldn't be an issue then.

It isn't really hard to fix if something starts to rust. Nylon brush the area and dab a matching paint. The liquid paint will get in and stop further corrosion.

 

I'm in Winnipeg bumpers rusted after first winter. Had then bed lined with rhino liner and 2 years later still good no rust

 

JcrOffroad offers bare metal bumpers. I'd go that route and paint it myself.

 

That's usually because the bumper manufacturers don't prep the metal very well. I have a set of 4 month old OR-FAB bumpers that are already rusting, in exactly the same spots you are referring. They came powder coated and now I have to have them redone. The powder coater I am dealing with is going to have them chemically stripped and the welds cleaned up before reapplying the powder coat. This should prevent it from rusting barring any trail damage.

If I had to do it all over again, I would buy bumpers that weren't finished and either have someone properly do it, or I would line them myself.

Fortunately, OR-FAB is warrantying the powder coat, so I should be covered for the most part.

 

I like those JCR bumpers, but they dont seem to have a canadian dealer. dont need to be hit with a crazy customs charge.

Ive been thinking about the ARB Stubby Bumper. thoughts? I have a warn M8000 to go in it.
ARB JK 07-13, Front Stubby Bar Bumper

 

I have a Hyline Offroad bumper. They are made local to me in PA. They E-coat their products before they powdercoat. I'm not sure exactly what the E coat is, but no rust......

 

I was looking at the hyline recessed winch mid width one actually. good looking bumper.