Can Urethane Bumpers be Repaired?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,713
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Can Urethane Bumpers be Repaired?
I'm getting pretty good at fiberglass repair but have a rip in the urethane bumper (front) of my '81 from the bottom to the corner lights.
Is this repairable? If so, what works best? It isn't really a stress point so I don't think that it needs a great deal of structural strength, but I also don't want to paint over it and have the same thing show up down the road.
Is this repairable? If so, what works best? It isn't really a stress point so I don't think that it needs a great deal of structural strength, but I also don't want to paint over it and have the same thing show up down the road.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
Drill a hole at the end of the crack/rip to keep it from cracking further. You'll need to glue a 'brace' on the inside to give it some strength, then fill the rip with epoxy or fiberglass raisin.... it won't be perfect but a new bumper plus paint is not cheap.... I guess it's worth trying...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Article in Corvette FAQ's
Noticed a write-up in Corvette FAQ's section by Lars on repairing rubber bumpers. Go to Exterior and then down to Rubber Bumper Repair
http://www.corvettefaq.com/listing.asp?group=5
I always try to look here before I post ... great info and old threads on subjects that come up all of the time. It also does depend on how far gone the bumper overall is ... in some cases you're jump postponing an inevitable bumper replacement (that's how my bumper cracks will be fixed, going to a flex-fit type when it gets repainted) ... thes OEM bumpers don't age well !
http://www.corvettefaq.com/listing.asp?group=5
I always try to look here before I post ... great info and old threads on subjects that come up all of the time. It also does depend on how far gone the bumper overall is ... in some cases you're jump postponing an inevitable bumper replacement (that's how my bumper cracks will be fixed, going to a flex-fit type when it gets repainted) ... thes OEM bumpers don't age well !
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: Brentwood TN
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
I'm getting pretty good at fiberglass repair but have a rip in the urethane bumper (front) of my '81 from the bottom to the corner lights.
Is this repairable? If so, what works best? It isn't really a stress point so I don't think that it needs a great deal of structural strength, but I also don't want to paint over it and have the same thing show up down the road.
Is this repairable? If so, what works best? It isn't really a stress point so I don't think that it needs a great deal of structural strength, but I also don't want to paint over it and have the same thing show up down the road.
http://www.keystone-auto.com/products/p_plus.asp
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 115
From: Saginaw Michigan
If the one, single crack was caused by something hitting it then Lars paper can tell you how to fix it. However, if you have the beginnings of small tears where the bumper meets the car body, (in other, multiple places), then the 30+ year old urethane material has become brittle and it is time to purchase a new bumper cover.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Like Jim said ... if it's starting to get brittle - consider a replacement in urethane or fiberglass.
There are flexible urethane repair materials out there.
3M probably has something like this in there 2-part adhesive line.
Check with a local body supply store or body shop.
There are flexible urethane repair materials out there.
3M probably has something like this in there 2-part adhesive line.
Check with a local body supply store or body shop.
