How well do the painted front bumpers hold up?

[DesertRat]

I found a used '20 Sport with the painted front bumper but I am concerned how susceptible these are to rock chips and road debris since I live in AZ. I might be able to have a clear bra put on it, but that isn't cheap and doesn't really protect from rocks and harder hits.

 

[Amazing93]

I would strongly recommend a clear bra from a good tint shop. It'll cost you about 500 to do it but it will definitely protect that paint on the bumper. I have done it myself to protect my bumper.

 

[Edwards]

Three things are guaranteed in life: death, taxes, and painted bumpers will chip. There is no way around it. I had <50 miles on my truck before I had PPF (paint protection film) installed on the whole front end and first 18" of the hood. Not a chip since. I consider PPF part of the cost of going painted bumpers.

On top of that, good PPF is self healing. I was pulling into a diagonal striped parking garage and hit the concrete wall with my bumper. After I cursed myself and the front camera angle, I got out and looked and you could see the scuff in the PPF, but not a scratch on the paint. That paid for the PPF right there. And a few weeks later and you have to know where the scuff was. It self-healed to the point you basically can't even see it.