removing front bumper
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
removing front bumper
I am getting ready to paint my 93 and it looks like it would be easier if I remove the front bumper. is it that much trouble to take it off? it sure would make masking easier
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 3
From: Oxford CT
Ya your right the mirrors as well, and the head lights, as well as all other lights.
When I do mine the bumper is coming off ! Front and rear.
I think its just a cleaner job and less of a chance of cracking on the seams, you dont want it to peel off.. maybe some one with a good reason will chime in,..
When I do mine the bumper is coming off ! Front and rear.
I think its just a cleaner job and less of a chance of cracking on the seams, you dont want it to peel off.. maybe some one with a good reason will chime in,..
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Are you removing the front to provide better access to the hood (when raised? If that's not the deal, there's a gap on the front (between bumper and hood) than the rear. I'm pretty sure the cover will come off w/o the crash assm. That's what I'd shoot for.
If you're spending money for a good paint job (i.e., $3K+), I'd go the extra mile an do both. On the rear, you can loosen all the bolts so it can slide a 1/4" away from the car. That will allow painters to get into the seam between the bumper and body.
gp
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
If you won't be changing color, neither bumper needs removing. But, it can create a better paint job. If you ever NEED to replace a bumper cover -- especially the rear, there's a good chance any replacement wouldn't meet the body panel in the same way. You'd be able to tell there was a repaint.
Are you removing the front to provide better access to the hood (when raised? If that's not the deal, there's a gap on the front (between bumper and hood) than the rear. I'm pretty sure the cover will come off w/o the crash assm. That's what I'd shoot for.
If you're spending money for a good paint job (i.e., $3K+), I'd go the extra mile an do both. On the rear, you can loosen all the bolts so it can slide a 1/4" away from the car. That will allow painters to get into the seam between the bumper and body.
gp
Are you removing the front to provide better access to the hood (when raised? If that's not the deal, there's a gap on the front (between bumper and hood) than the rear. I'm pretty sure the cover will come off w/o the crash assm. That's what I'd shoot for.
If you're spending money for a good paint job (i.e., $3K+), I'd go the extra mile an do both. On the rear, you can loosen all the bolts so it can slide a 1/4" away from the car. That will allow painters to get into the seam between the bumper and body.
gp
going back the same color. it will just be much easier with the front cover off. still debating on the rear, it looks like more work than the front to get off. and I am the painter so the easier the better
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Pull the taillights, and loosen the nuts on the top/side. (I think you just need a 1/4" drive with 7mm/10mm sockets. Remove the ones around the license too. (A old thin, long sleeve shirt might minimize forearm scraping.)
Put a torx in the racket and loosen/remove the screws in the backside of the wheel well. Get underneath and release one end of the support bars (if necessary).
This should get things loose enough to separate seams for a good paint job.
Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!
gp
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Loves Park IL
I took the front bumper of my 87 and it took less then a hr. Not sure about your 93.
As far as what you should remove to paint the car its up to you as the painter.
Im a painter also and if I was to paint mine I would remove everything I could. Yes its more work but I think I would get a better overall result. Sure, you have to be carefull on reassembly but I love a nice paint job and I hate to cut corners.
As far as what you should remove to paint the car its up to you as the painter.
Im a painter also and if I was to paint mine I would remove everything I could. Yes its more work but I think I would get a better overall result. Sure, you have to be carefull on reassembly but I love a nice paint job and I hate to cut corners.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
bumpers off
well I took it apart last night and for anyone thinking about doing so, go for it it was not bad at all. I started with the front bumper. the hood had to come off to get to some of the screws. so the hood/ front and rear bumpers /door panels/ mirrors/and all lights only took 5 hrs. I am glad I took the rear bumper off because there was quite a bit of wax betwen the bumper and the body that could have caused problems 
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,176
Likes: 7
From: Jennings LA
the new filler and products are much easier and forgiving than the old stuff was. you will not believe how easy rhe new fillers sand. I can remeber shaping the old stuf with a 36 grit on a grinder just to get it close so you did not have to sand so long. that old stuff was rock hard. and base/clear is way easier than single stage. if you mess up just sand it and re shoot.
