Front bumper question...............
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,135
Likes: 935
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Front bumper question...............
Is it possible to install a freshly painted front bumper on an 84 without getting any spider cracks.I havent done it yet but ive heard there is a lot of stretching and pulling involved.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 515
Likes: 0
From: Everett WA
Re: Front bumper question............... (z51jeff)
well, i dont know what you mean by freshly painted (still tacky?) but, i believe that the bumpers are painted before installed usually, so i would bet that it should be ok. I R&R my front bumper, and i havent seen any spider cracks or anything. I think the paint is made for the bumpers so it stretches a bit.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Front bumper question............... (NightRyder)
Theres no problem doing it.Just use a little care and wear gloves if you can.
The 2 hard parts are slipping the bumper cover over the top support piece and pulling it under the bottom.If the paints fully dried,it shouldnt be a problem.Its tricky at times but dont force anything.Almost every Vette and C4 has the bumpers painted OFF the car anyways wether restore,paint work or assembly.
:cheers:
The 2 hard parts are slipping the bumper cover over the top support piece and pulling it under the bottom.If the paints fully dried,it shouldnt be a problem.Its tricky at times but dont force anything.Almost every Vette and C4 has the bumpers painted OFF the car anyways wether restore,paint work or assembly.
:cheers:
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Osceola Ne
Re: Front bumper question............... (z51jeff)
I just had my 86 repainted and installed a new front bumper cover. Because it fit pretty snug my body man decided to paint it after it was installed. He edged it first then installed it, then he painted it with the rest of the car and it came out really nice. He would have rather painted it off the car but was afraid he would ding it up installing it on the car because it fit so tight. If you were doing a show car type paint job you would probably be better painting it first then installing to make sure you got a real good consistant coat top and bottom but like I said mine came out fine. You can see it at:
http://www.ocsracing.info/86_vette.htm
Good Luck!!
http://www.ocsracing.info/86_vette.htm
Good Luck!!
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Torrance California
Re: Front bumper question............... (oderja)
I thought they had to use a different kind of paint for the front and rear bumpers. Something with some sort of flexing agent in it do to the fact the bumper flexes, so that you wont get spider cracks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,300
Likes: 3
From: Mississauga, Ontario Corvettes were built to be driven...not trailered
St Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Re: Front bumper question............... (1SLO POK)
I thought they had to use a different kind of paint for the front and rear bumpers. Something with some sort of flexing agent in it do to the fact the bumper flexes, so that you wont get spider cracks.
You should check with who ever painted yourbumper to ensure a fibreglass flex agent was used...also, make sure that the bumper is at room temperature...if you're doing it in a cold garage/outside, even the best flex agent won't help if the bumper cold...of course I live in Toronto so we have think of stuff like this...hopefully you're somewhere warmer
