bumpers
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
bumpers
So I am planning to repaint my 82 vette, I want to replace the bumpers that are on there now, the front one has a crack and the rear one looks poor. What type of bumpers would you recommend to replace them with? Fiberglass? polyurethane?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
I have an 80, and replaced both front and rear bumpers a couple of years ago during a repaint. As you may know, the fiberglass is straight and maintains its shape better than the urethane- if you have no collisions. So if you drive your vette infrequently, or don't have much threat of a collision, then fiberglass is definitely the way to go, On the other hand, the urethane will be more forgiving in a minor collision.
With this said, and the fact that I want my vette to always look good, and drive it about 7000 miles a year in San Diego county, I have urethane in the front, and a nice straight, non-waivy rear bumper.
With this said, and the fact that I want my vette to always look good, and drive it about 7000 miles a year in San Diego county, I have urethane in the front, and a nice straight, non-waivy rear bumper.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
I think RIJVETTES summed it up pretty well.
Urethane - More like original, expect some minor waviness, good choice for original restoration. Better minor collision protection
TrueFlex fiberglass - Some give, no waves (don't make the mistake that it's a HUGE amount of flex).
Fiberglass - Most ridgid, no waves.
ALL will require fitting and sanding/filing, even the urethane bumper's (in my case). I started out with a TrueFlex front bumper, then I decided to shift gears and go with a urethane bumper because I was doing a restoration to original and figured I'd recoup my extra investment someday when I go to sell.
Mark G
Urethane - More like original, expect some minor waviness, good choice for original restoration. Better minor collision protection
TrueFlex fiberglass - Some give, no waves (don't make the mistake that it's a HUGE amount of flex).
Fiberglass - Most ridgid, no waves.
ALL will require fitting and sanding/filing, even the urethane bumper's (in my case). I started out with a TrueFlex front bumper, then I decided to shift gears and go with a urethane bumper because I was doing a restoration to original and figured I'd recoup my extra investment someday when I go to sell.
Mark G
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
I have replace both the front and rear bumpers on both my 76 and my 79 several times...
and have used urathare fiberglass and the True flex bumpers...
I NOW will only use only use TRUE FLEX in the future......they hold up better then Urethane (paint wise ) and flex enough that they will not crack..
ALL 3 types do require a "little" fitting to be done on you part...
Bob G
and have used urathare fiberglass and the True flex bumpers...
I NOW will only use only use TRUE FLEX in the future......they hold up better then Urethane (paint wise ) and flex enough that they will not crack..
ALL 3 types do require a "little" fitting to be done on you part...
Bob G
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
Bob,
Curious what paint problems did you have with the Urethane bumpers?
On mine, once I finished scuffing the raw urethane bumper, I sprayed an approved adhesion promoter (special solvent), to essentially 'gum-up' the outer layer of the urethane to promote a bond with my first layer of primer/sealer. Some guys skip this step due to the $40/qt of adhesion promoter. Doing so can can result in less adhesion and possibly peeling paint, a subject that has come up here before.
Mark G
Curious what paint problems did you have with the Urethane bumpers?
On mine, once I finished scuffing the raw urethane bumper, I sprayed an approved adhesion promoter (special solvent), to essentially 'gum-up' the outer layer of the urethane to promote a bond with my first layer of primer/sealer. Some guys skip this step due to the $40/qt of adhesion promoter. Doing so can can result in less adhesion and possibly peeling paint, a subject that has come up here before.
Mark G
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
yeah I am sanding the whole thing down, blending in the back bumper and leaving the front bumper as an extra piece so im not worried about he effort needed to shape them it was gonna be done either way, I was not aware of the TRUEFLEX bumpers, I am liking the sound of them, I am pretty sold on fiberglass for the bike I dont even want to witness the difference in paint fade on the urethane compared to the fiberglass body like i have with my present original bumper. Plus I definitly don't want wavy on my front bumper so I am town between fiberglass in the front or the TRUEFLEX. Where is the best place to buy them? Ecklers?
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
Bob,
Curious what paint problems did you have with the Urethane bumpers?
On mine, once I finished scuffing the raw urethane bumper, I sprayed an approved adhesion promoter (special solvent), to essentially 'gum-up' the outer layer of the urethane to promote a bond with my first layer of primer/sealer. Some guys skip this step due to the $40/qt of adhesion promoter. Doing so can can result in less adhesion and possibly peeling paint, a subject that has come up here before.
Mark G
Curious what paint problems did you have with the Urethane bumpers?
On mine, once I finished scuffing the raw urethane bumper, I sprayed an approved adhesion promoter (special solvent), to essentially 'gum-up' the outer layer of the urethane to promote a bond with my first layer of primer/sealer. Some guys skip this step due to the $40/qt of adhesion promoter. Doing so can can result in less adhesion and possibly peeling paint, a subject that has come up here before.
Mark G
Both cars were painted by a guy who specialized in Corvettes and has painted close to 100 Bloomington Gold cars... The true flex bumpers have not faded at all in over 10 years since I had installed them
Bob G.