Fitment Question - Truflex Front Bumper
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Belle River Ontario
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Fitment Question - Truflex Front Bumper
Hey guys , i know that there's a number of threads here regarding these tru flex bumpers but i didn't see anything that talks about removing a little material off the truflex bumper to help with a slight fitment issue i'm having.
Passenger side and center seem ok , as you can see from pic # 1 and 2 is seems to me that if i took off approx 1/8" where the painters tape is it may help bring it in a bit.
My question i guess would be , is this the correct approach? If so , what would be the best way to remove this material? I was thinking a file , didn't want to get too agressive with a grinder or anything.
Bought the bumper last July , spent the summer moving and just getting to this winter project now.
Thanks in advance
Also ,keep in mind i'm no paint and body pro by any stretch of the imagination. How difficult would it be to match the Silver of the car?
I was hoping i could take one of the roofs to a body shop for them to use as a match and paint for me so i can mount myself as i'm too paranoid to leave the car with anyone i don't know !
Passenger side and center seem ok , as you can see from pic # 1 and 2 is seems to me that if i took off approx 1/8" where the painters tape is it may help bring it in a bit.
My question i guess would be , is this the correct approach? If so , what would be the best way to remove this material? I was thinking a file , didn't want to get too agressive with a grinder or anything.
Bought the bumper last July , spent the summer moving and just getting to this winter project now.
Thanks in advance
Also ,keep in mind i'm no paint and body pro by any stretch of the imagination. How difficult would it be to match the Silver of the car?
I was hoping i could take one of the roofs to a body shop for them to use as a match and paint for me so i can mount myself as i'm too paranoid to leave the car with anyone i don't know !
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 526
Likes: 90
From: Kings Park NY
I also am not a paint and body person. But I also had fitment issues on my Tru Flex bumper. Check out:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...per-help.html\
Hope it works out.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...per-help.html\
Hope it works out.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,616
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
Be careful filing it down to fit. There isn't much to work with. They are thinner than glass. As for the silver, I have been painting for a long time and for an amateur silver is hard to match. You may want to blend the color into the fenders then clear the whole nose.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,687
Likes: 3,139
From: Shamong, NJ
I'm not thinking that I would be removing any material in that area.
My guess is that from grinding there, you will end up removing some or all of the flange needed to attach the bumper to the car.
I would find a reputable body man, and ask them for their opinion, or even have them install it. The bumper may need to be filled, not ground, or the nose of the car itself may need to be worked. The fit problem could be the result of former repairs, to the body itself.
You don't need to take a t-top to a body shop, to match the paint. All you really need is your gas door, and take it to an automotive paint and body shop supply dealer. They have equipment that will "read" the paint on your gas door, and mix up paint to match. You still may not get a dead on match, but it will be a good starting point.
If you don't know a body shop that you can trust, reach out to a some other Corvette owners, or even a few local Corvette Clubs, and find out who they use. Thousands of owners have taken Corvettes to body shops, with no problems.
I know shops near me, that do fantastic work, and others that I wouldn't let wash my car. Ask around, I'm sure there are some responsible, trust worthy body shops in your area.
My guess is that from grinding there, you will end up removing some or all of the flange needed to attach the bumper to the car.
I would find a reputable body man, and ask them for their opinion, or even have them install it. The bumper may need to be filled, not ground, or the nose of the car itself may need to be worked. The fit problem could be the result of former repairs, to the body itself.
You don't need to take a t-top to a body shop, to match the paint. All you really need is your gas door, and take it to an automotive paint and body shop supply dealer. They have equipment that will "read" the paint on your gas door, and mix up paint to match. You still may not get a dead on match, but it will be a good starting point.
I was hoping i could take one of the roofs to a body shop for them to use as a match and paint for me so i can mount myself as i'm too paranoid to leave the car with anyone i don't know !
I know shops near me, that do fantastic work, and others that I wouldn't let wash my car. Ask around, I'm sure there are some responsible, trust worthy body shops in your area.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,616
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
I'm not thinking that I would be removing any material in that area.
My guess is that from grinding there, you will end up removing some or all of the flange needed to attach the bumper to the car.
I would find a reputable body man, and ask them for their opinion, or even have them install it. The bumper may need to be filled, not ground, or the nose of the car itself may need to be worked. The fit problem could be the result of former repairs, to the body itself.
You don't need to take a t-top to a body shop, to match the paint. All you really need is your gas door, and take it to an automotive paint and body shop supply dealer. They have equipment that will "read" the paint on your gas door, and mix up paint to match. You still may not get a dead on match, but it will be a good starting point.
If you don't know a body shop that you can trust, reach out to a some other Corvette owners, or even a few local Corvette Clubs, and find out who they use. Thousands of owners have taken Corvettes to body shops, with no problems.
I know shops near me, that do fantastic work, and others that I wouldn't let wash my car. Ask around, I'm sure there are some responsible, trust worthy body shops in your area.
My guess is that from grinding there, you will end up removing some or all of the flange needed to attach the bumper to the car.
I would find a reputable body man, and ask them for their opinion, or even have them install it. The bumper may need to be filled, not ground, or the nose of the car itself may need to be worked. The fit problem could be the result of former repairs, to the body itself.
You don't need to take a t-top to a body shop, to match the paint. All you really need is your gas door, and take it to an automotive paint and body shop supply dealer. They have equipment that will "read" the paint on your gas door, and mix up paint to match. You still may not get a dead on match, but it will be a good starting point.
If you don't know a body shop that you can trust, reach out to a some other Corvette owners, or even a few local Corvette Clubs, and find out who they use. Thousands of owners have taken Corvettes to body shops, with no problems.
I know shops near me, that do fantastic work, and others that I wouldn't let wash my car. Ask around, I'm sure there are some responsible, trust worthy body shops in your area.
Having painted for a long time I can tell you that there are more things involved with painting besides getting what the paint mixer call an exact match. Especially with silver. Like I said earlier, I would blend it into the front fender and then clear the nose. That way it will look perfect.
As for the nose, you can add fiberglass on that side on the inside and then grind away to get it to fit. Just fill in the area that needs to be ground. And a regular body guy will just fit it the best he can, unless you want to spend a ton. The guy isn't going to take 10 hours to fit it for nothing.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Just my thoughts on this.. The picture below is from a 1978 with the original bumper on it that has been stored in a climate controlled environment it's entire life. This is exactly how the car was delivered when new. I have to say this is probably the worse fitting bumper we've ever seen from the factory and I have tons of other pictures from other cars we've taken over the years that fit better but still had issues.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
I took some off the back side of the body flange to make mine fit. One other thing to watch for is the fit of the two flanges. If the gap on the inside is to open you will pull the edges down as you tighten the bolts causing the surface to bow. I had to add some filler on mine.
My install page
My install page
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,688
Likes: 697
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
I had same problem with my FT bumper but mine was from Ecklers, fit was good on pass side but the driver side it was 1/8".
My solution was to fit the bumper with spring clamps where i wanted it and put waxed paper taped to the bumper. We filled in the gap with glass, took off the bumper and then contoured it to fit. Came out pretty good. Have helped on 3 other ft bumpers and all needed some work.
I think its the bumpers being the difference.
My solution was to fit the bumper with spring clamps where i wanted it and put waxed paper taped to the bumper. We filled in the gap with glass, took off the bumper and then contoured it to fit. Came out pretty good. Have helped on 3 other ft bumpers and all needed some work.
I think its the bumpers being the difference.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Red.. didn't you do a Installation pictorial??? Seems I remember you did on on your install that was very insightful.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Belle River Ontario
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
Thanks everyone for the great advice.
From one Red to another, your tutorial is awesome, I think I've read it no less than 2 times! I will post pics of the final product!
Thanks again
From one Red to another, your tutorial is awesome, I think I've read it no less than 2 times! I will post pics of the final product!
Thanks again