Replace Front Bumper?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Replace Front Bumper?
I bought my car with the bumper like this, knowing it needed repainted anyway. I didnt care, cause I got it so cheap. I took some pictures and decided to ask for some opinions. As you can see, the very front is spidered, looks like previous owner bumped into something. The other places are where paint has chipped off, probably due to a poor repaint. There are little dents on top. Do I need a new bumper or can this be fixed?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 4,931
Likes: 3
From: Fort Lauderdale FL
The circular indentations you see on top cannot be repaired from what I was told. I had the same problem and bought a bumper that didn't have one. I have heard someone mentioned before that they could glue sheet metal strips under there to push it back up. Not sure if that was true.. but the several body shops who quoted me on a repaint for my vette suggested I get a new bumper.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
From: 84 Blue A4 Garrison Ky
My 84 has the same depressions. I've only seen the problem on 84 and 85's. Maybe they changed the bumper material in later years. I don't think its a easy fix so i'm going to replace mine one of these days if i can pick one up reasonable. Hate to spring for $500 if i can find one cheaper.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Well the factory bumper was made of Urethane. So wouldnt a fiberglass replacement be stiffer and less likely to have the indentations? I dont have the money to get me a new bumper right now, but maybe in a few weeks. Alright, so should I get a new or a used one?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
Looks like someone sat on the bumper and left some a$$ marks. 
I would say if you can find another bumper for under 350 then i would do that. but it isn't that bad if you ask me. i don't think it would be worth 500 to fix. but thats just because i am a really really cheap sob
I would say if you can find another bumper for under 350 then i would do that. but it isn't that bad if you ask me. i don't think it would be worth 500 to fix. but thats just because i am a really really cheap sob
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Originally Posted by tparkhi2
Looks like someone sat on the bumper and left some a$$ marks. I would say if you can find another bumper for under 350 then i would do that. but it isn't that bad if you ask me. i don't think it would be worth 500 to fix. but thats just because i am a really really cheap sob
I would say if you can find another bumper for under 350 then i would do that. but it isn't that bad if you ask me. i don't think it would be worth 500 to fix. but thats just because i am a really really cheap sob
its not the indentations that really bother me, its the lack of paint in some places and I think it might be cracked. I was debating buying a can of factory paint the other day to redo the bumper. To me its just cosmetic, and people can say what they want but my car is still fun to drive
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
If it's not cracked in the paint damaged parts, they are repaintable.
The waves up top are a bitch to fix. I tried and failed. So I'm getting a new bumper now.
The waves up top are a bitch to fix. I tried and failed. So I'm getting a new bumper now.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
Originally Posted by DRAKEFAMILY2
My 84 has the same depressions. I've only seen the problem on 84 and 85's. Maybe they changed the bumper material in later years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Originally Posted by 4Ever21
Well the factory bumper was made of Urethane. So wouldnt a fiberglass replacement be stiffer and less likely to have the indentations? I dont have the money to get me a new bumper right now, but maybe in a few weeks. Alright, so should I get a new or a used one?
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Originally Posted by 4Ever21
Well the factory bumper was made of Urethane. So wouldnt a fiberglass replacement be stiffer and less likely to have the indentations? I dont have the money to get me a new bumper right now, but maybe in a few weeks. Alright, so should I get a new or a used one?
Should you go new or used, well that depends. Whether your doing the prep work or a shop, the used one will take much more work to prep it for paint then a new one. If a shop is doing the work that is a labor cost which could run you as much or more than the cost of a brand new one.
Even if you find a perfect used one, it will still require prep. So factor that cost in to determine your best route.
You can always order the new nose piece then hang on to it while you save for the paint. I don't recall in the entire post of threads whether you are considering a full re-paint of the vehicle or just a nose paint job. If you are planning on a full paint job take the new nose piece in and have them paint it separately when they shoot the entire body.
I would recommend the new nose piece.