fiberglass or eurethane bumpers
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
fiberglass or eurethane bumpers
Which is better, fiberglass bumpers or eurethane bumpers? I have a new fiberglass one, and I'm thinking maybe I'll trade it for a Eurethane one...I'd have to change the body side molding to match it since it's got the wider belt line molded in if I use it.
Last edited by coupeguy2001; Sep 10, 2008 at 10:24 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,624
Likes: 431
From: Dale City VA
DO NOT buy fiberglass.
You will end up with some POS fitting crap like I have. Take a gander...
http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f303/rklessdriver/
Trying to get my body man to find the time to replace it with a GM urethane bumper.
Will
You will end up with some POS fitting crap like I have. Take a gander...
http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f303/rklessdriver/
Trying to get my body man to find the time to replace it with a GM urethane bumper.
Will
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 0
From: Miami FL
Too many variables to give one answer. I'm not sure who made your fiberglass bumper. It also depend who makes these, some of them have a better fit that others.
I believe there is a manufacturer that has a bumper that is a fiberglass hybrid that has a litte more flex in it so that it will not crack from minor hits.
Most of the fiberglass replacements will require a good Vette body shop to get them fitted to your Vette. They do not warp and get wavy over time.
The OEM style will still require fitting (depends who makes it) but will resist cracking from small impacts. It may warp or get wavy over time..
So I guess what's better depends on each owner and what their expectations are for their Vette.
I believe there is a manufacturer that has a bumper that is a fiberglass hybrid that has a litte more flex in it so that it will not crack from minor hits.
Most of the fiberglass replacements will require a good Vette body shop to get them fitted to your Vette. They do not warp and get wavy over time.
The OEM style will still require fitting (depends who makes it) but will resist cracking from small impacts. It may warp or get wavy over time..
So I guess what's better depends on each owner and what their expectations are for their Vette.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
bumper
Fiberglas has an elastic component to it where it flexes a bit before it breaks. I had a small boat, and it had a fiberglass hull. My G/F ran it into the dock on the side, and I watched it deform and bow right back to it's original shape. Fiberglass can be fixed, where eurethane tears and ends up stiffer in the area of the repair, and the paint cracks around where it got fixed.
When you fix fiberglass, all you need for tools is a vacuum cleaner and some sand paper, big plastic bags and some masking tape.
When you fix fiberglass, all you need for tools is a vacuum cleaner and some sand paper, big plastic bags and some masking tape.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Fiberglass bumpers are generally thinner than boats. They do give some, but usually the glass fractures, and the paint cracks. Urethane is very easy to repair with epoxy, with no shrink back. As far as paint, there is no difference, even if you are refering to high build surfacer. I've worked a lot with both, and I prefer urethane. The other reason I like urethane is that it is original, and being into resale, fiberglass will generally be a problem to a buyer. JMO
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 18,346
Likes: 1
From: D / FW
I had the chance to buy several fiberglass rear bumpers from guys who decided to go with urethane bumpers.
I bought a used takeoff from a corvette graveyard and it is fine , didn't even need paint.
That might be a good indicator, guys paying over $ 500 bucks for fiberglass and turning around and buying a stock one.
Me I think the fact that $hit happens and the chances of just a little touch up after a close call is better than replacing. I drive my vettes !
I bought a used takeoff from a corvette graveyard and it is fine , didn't even need paint.
That might be a good indicator, guys paying over $ 500 bucks for fiberglass and turning around and buying a stock one.
Me I think the fact that $hit happens and the chances of just a little touch up after a close call is better than replacing. I drive my vettes !
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,790
Likes: 2,696
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
fiberglass
Why would you even consider a fiberglass bumper for your corvette? To cheap? Want to install some chinese misfitting, piece of fiberglass that is as brittle as Glass? BTW, your paint is going to crack on Fiberglass too. In 25+ years of body, fiberglass, and painting, I HAVE NEVER seen fiberglass body parts bend with NO DAMAGE.......
Coupe guy "You only need a vacuum cleaner and some bags to do fiberglass work"? Thats funny. I guess I have been doing it all wrong. I use an Air compressor, water traps, grinders, resperators, levels, and straight and curved metal and rubber edges, Air files, several grits of sandpaper, primer, REAL automotive paint, flex agent to add to paint, HVLP gun yada....yada..yada.
That crappy oem on my car is 19 years old and still looks excellent. I have even bumped it several times and no damage. Fiberglass one would a been toast many times.
BTW, if you go with the fiberglass piece may as well go ahead and spray can it too.
Coupe guy "You only need a vacuum cleaner and some bags to do fiberglass work"? Thats funny. I guess I have been doing it all wrong. I use an Air compressor, water traps, grinders, resperators, levels, and straight and curved metal and rubber edges, Air files, several grits of sandpaper, primer, REAL automotive paint, flex agent to add to paint, HVLP gun yada....yada..yada.
That crappy oem on my car is 19 years old and still looks excellent. I have even bumped it several times and no damage. Fiberglass one would a been toast many times.
BTW, if you go with the fiberglass piece may as well go ahead and spray can it too.
Last edited by CorvetteMike2024; Sep 10, 2008 at 11:03 PM.