Restoring chrome bumpers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 221
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From: Green Lake WI
Restoring chrome bumpers
A question on restoring a chrome front bumper.I have a 68 that I am restoring and the front bumper has 1 or 2 small dings on the face of the bumper.What is the best way to restore the bumper? Replace with new repo?Have a resoration shop repair and rechrome?I have heard good and bad about repo's.What about quality of chrome replates?and cost?Any NCRS guys out there have any opinions?Thanks,rick
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Have them re-chromed by a well recommended quality chrome plater. The repro quality chrome is not as good and the fit will never be as good as an original bumper. A good chrome shop can take out the small dings as well. I used Charger Metal Works out of Philadelphia. Gerry Martin is the proprieter. I have no connection to him but he did a great job on all the chrome for my 61.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,226
Likes: 4,313
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Rick,
I agree wth jb and cv... havng your original bumper replated is a good idea.
1. You know how it fits.
2. The prep work a good chrome plater does will more than likely be better than many reproduction bumpers.
3. The quality of the copper, nickel, and chrome, and the buffing between 'dips', will more than likely be better too.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I agree wth jb and cv... havng your original bumper replated is a good idea.
1. You know how it fits.
2. The prep work a good chrome plater does will more than likely be better than many reproduction bumpers.
3. The quality of the copper, nickel, and chrome, and the buffing between 'dips', will more than likely be better too.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,226
Likes: 4,313
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi B,
Most replaters will give you an estimate over the phone but will want to see the parts before giving a quote. $200-$300 a piece for the bumper is pretty typical from what forum members report.
The unknown factor is how much straightening, repairing, and preparation the bumpers will take.
Many original bumpers were actually full of 'ripples' and some people want the surface itself 'smoothed out. This is why some platers have different levels of 'finish' at various prices.
I feel the money spent on the chrome is well spent since the chrome really shows off the paint on many cars.
Regards,
Alan
PS: Many people report that the reproduction bumpers 'fit' is the biggest issue.
Most replaters will give you an estimate over the phone but will want to see the parts before giving a quote. $200-$300 a piece for the bumper is pretty typical from what forum members report.
The unknown factor is how much straightening, repairing, and preparation the bumpers will take.
Many original bumpers were actually full of 'ripples' and some people want the surface itself 'smoothed out. This is why some platers have different levels of 'finish' at various prices.
I feel the money spent on the chrome is well spent since the chrome really shows off the paint on many cars.
Regards,
Alan
PS: Many people report that the reproduction bumpers 'fit' is the biggest issue.
Last edited by Alan 71; Feb 20, 2010 at 09:01 AM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Airdrie Alberta
Most replaters will give you an estimate over the phone but will want to see the parts before giving a quote. $200-$300 a piece for the bumper is pretty typical
I was quoted $275 ea last night for show chrome. I have some pitting on mine so it may be a bit more.
Someone posted pictures of repo bumper fit a while back and they were really out of wack not fitting snug to the body , sprung out at the sides etc.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
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From: Native Californian CALIFORNIA
Army
Very important to undersatnd what plating process your selected shop is using.
New chrome process is Trivalent Chromate – has a slight blue colorization and does not mate with old chrome found on classic cars.
Hexavalent Chromate is the process used on classic cars.
New chrome process is Trivalent Chromate – has a slight blue colorization and does not mate with old chrome found on classic cars.
Hexavalent Chromate is the process used on classic cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
If you don't need to retain your original bumpers, it would probably be less expensive to buy replacements. If you do want to keep them, locate a good repair place to remove the dents and/or rechrome/refinish them.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 107
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I used Knoxville Chroming to do my front and rear bumpers and the front guards. The original bumpers are a much better quality and fit. The price at the time was a little cheaper than reproduction bumpers and the chroming was superior to replacements they will repair the bumpers to like new if need be.
Last edited by 69ttop; Feb 20, 2010 at 10:36 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,226
Likes: 4,313
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Charley,
I see Bumper Boyz at Carlisle each year selling bumpers out-right. So I guess they buy cores. I think they're in California but travel to shows around the country. I don't know anything else about them.
Regards,
Alan
I see Bumper Boyz at Carlisle each year selling bumpers out-right. So I guess they buy cores. I think they're in California but travel to shows around the country. I don't know anything else about them.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 959
Likes: 1
From: Lemoore CA
I admit I have owned my car for only a few months and havn't seen enough to be a pro here. With that in mind...
How can you tell if your bumpers are original? My front bumper, for example, has slightly different gaps left and right. The point in the center of the bumper also looks a little kinked, as if perhaps that's what happened when it was reshaped to fit...?
And then how consistent are OEM replacements. IE could I ****** up 7T1's beat up bumper, or anyone's for that matter, and have it reworked? BTW mines a '72.
How can you tell if your bumpers are original? My front bumper, for example, has slightly different gaps left and right. The point in the center of the bumper also looks a little kinked, as if perhaps that's what happened when it was reshaped to fit...?
And then how consistent are OEM replacements. IE could I ****** up 7T1's beat up bumper, or anyone's for that matter, and have it reworked? BTW mines a '72.
