FTHESHACK

Just wanted to take a few to introduce myself and rig on the forum. I bought the XJ, with 122K on it, in March of this year and it has been in project/mod status until a week ago. Easy to work on. I have driven it about 500 miles now and am averaging 20 mpg (hand calc'd). Who'd have thought... Love the XJ and am glad to be a part of the forum.

XJwonders

Welcome to the forum. I dig the bumper

1ATony

Killer XJ, Welcome to the site!

Tony

FTHESHACK

Thanks guys. I appreciate it!

RRXJeeper71

did you buy and install bumper? very cool!!!
what paint did you use around front nose/grill of your XJ?

FTHESHACK

The front and rear bumpers are one off custom builds. I used Duplicolor spray on bedliner with Kevlar for both bumpers and the front header panel. Some members have not had good success with duplicolor. They key to success is OCD prep work. I wiped all parts clean with acetone, sanded with 80 grit paper until both bumpers were a scuffed shiny metal, cleaned again with acetone, applied three coats of rustoleum self etching primer (proper wait times in between coats) and then allowed to dry overnight. I sanded with 220 grit paper and cleaned again. I kept the cans of duplicolor outside so they could acclimate to the outside temps for better spraying consistency. I then sprayed the bumpers and header panel with three even coats of duplicolor (just barely heavy enough on each coat to have complete coverage). Follow instructions on can for re-coat times. After spraying I didn't handle them for 4 days. I allowed them to fully cure. After that I moved them onto saw horses in the backyard to bake under the hot, 100 degree, TX sun for 2 days. Installed them and never looked backed. I haven't been gentle with them at all and so far no scratches or divets. Only time will tell for sure.

mentalbreakdown00

nice rig man, and welcome