bumper stripping
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Seems like everyone shy’s away from paint questions these days, but the main reason is probably that there are so many varying opinions on it. Personally, I never liked to paint anything over old work. I’m probably a little nuttier about it than most people, but I always wanted all the paint and primer off before I began putting anything on any body part.
I’m sure there are people that will paint over it when they get it flat and most of the time this will not cause you any problems. However, I always figured if I was going to have a problem it would be one that I created and not someone else.
IMHO,
Willcox
I’m sure there are people that will paint over it when they get it flat and most of the time this will not cause you any problems. However, I always figured if I was going to have a problem it would be one that I created and not someone else.
IMHO,
Willcox
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Leroy Township Ohio
Any old urethane bumper should be thrown away and replaced with a new fiberglass or flex fiber one. Urethane ones will most certainly dry out and "crack" , split desintegrate, etc... They are junk unless you spend the money for a brand new modern urethane one made out of new material. I replaced mine with flex fiber and turned out great on my 76.
Reddog76
Reddog76
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: windsor ontario
I have heard conflicting points of view regarding the fibreglass ones, and yes the bumper I am putting on is used but very flexible.I am not driving this car everyday and it will be gararge kept and not driven in the winter so this bumper will do for me.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
If you're going to reuse the old urethane bumper cover then I suggest you strip it. Try to avoid chemical stripping here. I tried that and found the chemicals distorted the cover. I ended up replacing it with a Trueflex unit.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Leroy Township Ohio
I have known people that have 75 & 76 vettes where they have less than 10K miles on the car and they have been garage stored and still have had the original urethane bumpers "rot" off the car. Urethanes were junk back then. Just a word of warning.
Reddog76
Reddog76
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 733
Likes: 15
From: Clarksburg NJ
I have a 75 Bright Green Metallic car that I restored about 20 years ago. Back then, laquer was still the norm. Well, I used the chemical stripper carefully, and the car came out great. But, a few years ago, the bumpers rotted away, and I had the daunting task of matching otherwise great paint to the new fiberglass covers. It all worked out in the end, but the point is, don't know if it was the stripper, the thinner in the paint, age, or all of the above, but the fiberglass ones are worth considering. They do, however, require some work to get a nice fit. If you're dead-set on originality, I would consider a new urethane replacement. Good luck on your project.
Last edited by TPIShark; Dec 18, 2008 at 01:11 PM. Reason: typo