Best surface prep to paint over chrome? Also, applying bedliner

I've got chrome rear bumper on my 2000 that is showing some rust. I would like to cover the outside of the bumper with bedliner. Since the surface doesn't have to be very smooth, I plan to use some coarse sandpaper on it, but not necessarily taking it down to bare metal.

1. I seem to remember other discussions talking about using an etching primer on chrome. Since bedliner isn't really a paint, can it be applied over primer?
2. Also, in my one experience with applying bedliner I was not happy with the irregular pattern I got using a foam roller. Since I don't have the ability to spray the bedliner, it will need to be brushed/rolled on. I was thinking instead of using a stencilling method, where I have a foam sponge that I apply the bedliner with a dabbing motion. It seems like I'd get more control over the distribution of the lumps. Thoughts?

 

I painted my rear bumper on my 96' (I believe its the same exact bumper?) and I just used a electric sander with some 200 grit if I remember correctly. You dont want to use a wire brush or super low grit sandpaper because it will leave gouges, unless you do a higher grit sandpaper later. When painting do several coats, I believe I did around 5.

 

Plastidip

 

Op has a rusty bumper and he's going to put bedliner on it. Gouges aren't much much of concern. Once you decide to skydive without a parachute the color of your socks shouldn't be an issue

 

Personally I'd dip it as well. Prep consists of washing it real quick and letting it dry.

 

Mine was rusty and dented, plasti dip worked awesome and easy to prep. I did bedliner on my old tacoma, sanding and prep took a few hours. It looked nice when it was new but faded badly after about 3 months. I wouldn't use herculiner

 

It's very hard to get paint or anything else to stick to chrome. It may stick for a while but it will probably/eventually fall off. I'd suggest really sanding the shit out of it but using too coarse of a paper will leave sanding scratches showing through the paint. The only sealer/primer that I can think of that ,might stay stuck forever would be PPG's DP-40 and that requires a professional to apply. As in spray gun, respirator and know how. You can paint over the DP-40 for up to 7 days unless the surface gets contaminated. The other reason to have a shop to apply it in. Doubtful anything else will stay stuck to chrome forever and even DP-40 might not. Unless there is a newer product on the market I don't know about. Which is VERY possible. For prepping chrome for paint.