What colour should I paint my 1972 step bumper?

[1968_K20_4x4]

Hey everyone.

I have a 1972 K20. The rear step bumper has been painted black and I'm wanting to put it back to original. The truck has a painted white front bumper which I am keeping. I assumed that the rear step bumper would have originally been painted white to match the front. However it looks like under the black paint there is silver. So my question is, was the step bumper on these trucks originally painted silver? Even if they came from factory with a white front bumper?

Most trucks I have seen have a silver step bumper. However most guys are also running chrome front bumpers. I want to know what it should be if you have the steel white front bumper.

Thanks!

[Barnfind46]

I am not 100% sure and the guys that know more than I do might chime in but I thought that the step bumpers were dealer installed aftermarket parts. The only factory rear bumper was the chrome one if you ordered it or the trim package called for it. If that is the case then the color would be dictated by the manufacturer of the bumper. That would make the paint color not as critical as if it were a factory part. If I am correct then paint it a color you like. A lot of wheel paint has metallic in it and holds up well. This also comes in spray cans, is easy to apply with good results.

[1968_K20_4x4]

Originally Posted by Barnfind46

I am not 100% sure and the guys that know more than I do might chime in but I thought that the step bumpers were dealer installed aftermarket parts. The only factory rear bumper was the chrome one if you ordered it or the trim package called for it. If that is the case then the color would be dictated by the manufacturer of the bumper. That would make the paint color not as critical as if it were a factory part. If I am correct then paint it a color you like. A lot of wheel paint has metallic in it and holds up well. This also comes in spray cans, is easy to apply with good results.

Thanks for the reply! I assumed it was bolted on from factory but if they were dealer installed that would definately make sense!

[71blksuper4x4]

Here is the factory 72’ step bumper. I have seen them in argent silver, but I am sure the white would look just fine as others were white.

[1968_K20_4x4]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Here is the factory 72’ step bumper. I have seen them in argent silver, but I am sure the white would look just fine as others were white.

Thanks for that pic. That is exactly the same bumper as I have on my truck. I tried to upload a pic but it wouldn't let me for some reason.

I was all set to paint it white... But the silver look is starting to grow on me now🤔 hmm...

[71blksuper4x4]

Sorry, sometime iPad and iPhone pics get turned upside down on this site. I should have it corrected now.

['68OrangeSunshine]

When I bought my '68 C/10 Stepside in 1973, the PO said he re-sprayed the dealer- installed step bumper in metallic aluminum every year.
Argent Silver was correct for the factory wheels.

[painterljp]

Here is ours. We actually had it powder coated. It's just 2 wheel drive. But.you get picture. Just cause no one else posted a white one. It's actually and off white. With a chrome front.

[1968_K20_4x4]

Originally Posted by 71blksuper4x4

Sorry, sometime iPad and iPhone pics get turned upside down on this site. I should have it corrected now.

No problem, thanks for the pic. BTW that is a very impressive collection of bad ass trucks you have!

[1968_K20_4x4]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

When I bought my '68 C/10 Stepside in 1973, the PO said he re-sprayed the dealer- installed step bumper in metallic aluminum every year.
Argent Silver was correct for the factory wheels.

Thanks for the info. That is really cool that you've had your truck since 1973! Awesome

[1968_K20_4x4]

Originally Posted by painterljp

Here is ours. We actually had it powder coated. It's just 2 wheel drive. But.you get picture. Just cause no one else posted a white one. It's actually and off white. With a chrome front.

Thanks for the pic of your truck. The whole truck looks gorgeous!

I was wanting to keep the white front bumper and white steel rims on my truck. Add a white roof and I thought a white rear bumper would tie in nicely with all that. Untill I learned that it may have been silver originally and now I have my dilemma. The white bumper on your truck gives it's classic old school truck look which I really love

[Stocker]

Post #8 white looks great but I don't remember ever seeing a white rear bumper myself. Not saying they aren't out there. Most that I have seen have been argent silver, whether the front is painted white or chromed. Mine has always been argent and I like that look but either will work. It's your truck, so it's your call.

[painterljp]

It has rally's on it now in argent. But the grill on front is.chromed so didnt think a white.bumper.on front . Its.a.custom so came with a. Chromed steel grill. Magnet sticks. Think whiye.front would take away from ours. It actually has wrong.tailgate also it's a 68. We have the original one to go back on it but too bent up. So we need to weld in the center section with smaller imprint of letters. Have been trying to find one on forum. But no such luck so far. Heres.front. Ultimately it's your truck make it how you want it.

[El Dorado Jim]

the ones i have seen and i have had on my trucks over the years originally were silver and I repainted them the same

[1968_K20_4x4]

I was able to upload a couple pics of my truck just to show you guys what I have to work with. I appreciate all the replies. Although I am not a total stickler to keeping everything 100% original, I generally prefer to keep the original look. I think what I am going to do is paint the step bumper back to its original silver colour. I can always change it later on down the road if I want to, but I think for now that will look the best.

Again thanks for all the info! Much appreciated!

[1968_K20_4x4]

Originally Posted by painterljp

It has rally's on it now in argent. But the grill on front is.chromed so didnt think a white.bumper.on front . Its.a.custom so came with a. Chromed steel grill. Magnet sticks. Think whiye.front would take away from ours. It actually has wrong.tailgate also it's a 68. We have the original one to go back on it but too bent up. So we need to weld in the center section with smaller imprint of letters. Have been trying to find one on forum. But no such luck so far. Heres.front. Ultimately it's your truck make it how you want it.

That chrome bumper on the front looks perfect with your chrome grill!

[Keith Seymore]

Here's the step bumper that came on our '69 GMC (painted argent silver).

I do not know if it was an accessory or provided through the GMC dealer, but I do know it was on the truck when we drove it home from the dealership.

K

[OldBlue70C10]

I know my 70 C10 had a white front bumper, the white top, but a silver painted step bumper. I've wondered what it migh look like white myself. but I'll probably keep it silver.

[painterljp]

Originally Posted by 1968_K20_4x4

I was able to upload a couple pics of my truck just to show you guys what I have to work with. I appreciate all the replies. Although I am not a total stickler to keeping everything 100% original, I generally prefer to keep the original look. I think what I am going to do is paint the step bumper back to its original silver colour. I can always change it later on down the road if I want to, but I think for now that will look the best.

Again thanks for all the info! Much appreciated!

Think your right on with silver bumper. Would be much better than the black. Would lighten up back of truck. Glad you.made up your mind. Send us some more pics after you paint it silver.

[tim71]

Originally Posted by 1968_K20_4x4

Hey everyone.

I have a 1972 K20. The rear step bumper has been painted black and I'm wanting to put it back to original. The truck has a painted white front bumper which I am keeping. I assumed that the rear step bumper would have originally been painted white to match the front. However it looks like under the black paint there is silver. So my question is, was the step bumper on these trucks originally painted silver? Even if they came from factory with a white front bumper?

Most trucks I have seen have a silver step bumper. However most guys are also running chrome front bumpers. I want to know what it should be if you have the steel white front bumper.

Thanks!

Here's another picture of an original silver step bumper. Option V43 from the factory.

[72c20customcamper]

Mine is silver . Dont think its a factory as it can be extended from the rear and had a step that folded down to step up into the camper that was on it .

[68Gold/white]

My feeble memory tells me that most of the dealer added on step bumpers, were either silver or white. Mostly because the dealers had their names imprinted into the metal. or had stencil painted on lettering, denoting the dealership name

[71blksuper4x4]

Originally Posted by tim71

Here's another picture of an original silver step bumper. Option V43 from the factory.

Tim’s is the ‘71 and older version of the V43 gm step bumper. The ribbed version of the original poster is the 72’ only v43 bumper.
If you are keeping the white bumper up front, I’d go white rear. You will be fine, it will look great. The factory sport bumpers would be white if they weren’t chrome.

[special-K]

The step bumper was a factory option and they were always painted argent. In 67-71 they were made from c-channel stock and in '72 they were stamped. Both were just 4" wide (tall) and dropped approx. 4" below tailgate to create a "step".

A truck could come through with no rear bumper at all. Standard no option is no bumper. Many states did not have safety inspections required for trucks at this time, so no rear bumper was legal.

There were aftermarket companies that made step bumpers. Sometimes dealers would install these per customer request. There were those offered through the Silver Book or ones sourced independently. The aftermarket step bumper business really took off when states started inspecting trucks, requiring rear bumpers on all pickup trucks

My '72 has an aftermarket "Bartens" rear bumper. It was originally silver but was white when I bought the truck. I put it back to silver

[vitamin_c95]

My 71 has a white bumper, and a chrome front