Bumper Letters
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
Likes: 329
From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Bumper Letters
I am thinking about putting the chrome bumper letters in the rear of my car and it seems there are a variety of styles, Stainless steel shiny, stainless steel brushed and some type of Chromed (domed) vinyl.
I'm a little concerned about the towel getting caught on the lettering when I am drying the car after a bath. what do you guy's use and what are your opinions?
I'm a little concerned about the towel getting caught on the lettering when I am drying the car after a bath. what do you guy's use and what are your opinions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 181
From: Menifee (I.E.) CA
I've had my flat stainless steel letters on since they first appeared sometime in 2005. The magic to keeping them on is making sure that they are slightly bent before attaching them. The back of the car is slightly bent and the letters are probably flat. Maybe the new ones today are bent, so no problems with catching your towel on them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
My C5 had clear plastic letters with a silver lining on it when I bought it, and they eventually fell off. I replaced them with shiny stainless steel and they were great. No problem with the towel grabbing because they were flush with the surface. Somebody had them on sale recently; I think it was West Coast Corvettes. Still kinda expensive though.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,494
Likes: 32
On my previous Vert, a C5 2001, the first owner put chrome letters on the rear and also on the front license plate filler. The rear letters held in place. The front letters did not. One fell off and the adhesive had ruined the paint beneath it. I never did find a suitable replacement letter.
After the experience and cost associate with the front letters, I'll never put letters on another car. Sometimes they look nice, sometimes they look a little too much. If possible, try to find a car your color with similar letters applied. Make sure you like it, or at least make sure the adhesive will not damage your finish.
After the experience and cost associate with the front letters, I'll never put letters on another car. Sometimes they look nice, sometimes they look a little too much. If possible, try to find a car your color with similar letters applied. Make sure you like it, or at least make sure the adhesive will not damage your finish.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 327
Likes: 2
From: Livermore California
1) cardboard box, painters tape, newspapers ...
2) Rustoleum - Gold ... Classy.
3) Mineral spirits and shop towel.
4) 45 minutes later. miles and smiles. no chipped edges and still going strong on 4 years in 40F- 112F temps. absolutely no fade at all just like the picture. no snags, doesn't wash off, no damage to clear coat.
see other threads here too. enjoy.
Last edited by C3-PO; Oct 5, 2015 at 09:51 PM. Reason: hilarity
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 324
Likes: 14
From: Moberly Missouri
1) cardboard box, painters tape, newspapers ...
2) Rustoleum - Gold ... Classy.
3) Mineral spirits and shop towel.
4) 45 minutes later. miles and smiles. no chipped edges and still going strong on 4 years in 40F- 112F temps. absolutely no fade at all just like the picture. no snags, doesn't wash off, no damage to clear coat.
see other threads here too. enjoy.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
1) cardboard box, painters tape, newspapers ...
3) Mineral spirits and shop towel.
4) 45 minutes later. miles and smiles. no chipped edges and still going strong on 4 years in 40F- 112F temps. absolutely no fade at all just like the picture. no snags, doesn't wash off, no damage to clear coat.
see other threads here too. enjoy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 7,001
Likes: 988
From: lake havasu city arizona
It doesn't need much paint either.NSF
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 60
From: Missouri City Texas
I have stainless right now, but I am contemplating taking them off and painting them black or white. They don't show very well on the light blue. I just can't decide between black or white...
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,525
Likes: 495
From: Southern California
I checked out the domed vinyl and I wasn't thrilled with the look, the chrome finish is in the back side and the through-the-dome look didn't match/coordinate with anything else on the car, JMO. I was happier with basic vinyl but the vinyl started peeling after about a year so for now I'm going without.
Painting in the letters is a bit too permanent for me at this point.
Painting in the letters is a bit too permanent for me at this point.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 5
From: Gaithersburg Md.
I did them on my C5 Z. I was out of town and rinsed the car at a self car wash.
I must have come too close to the letters and 1 popped off. I had to buy a new set.
I recommend using 3m adhesive promoter when doing the letters...
3 more years with no problems.
Left the GS alone.
I must have come too close to the letters and 1 popped off. I had to buy a new set.
I recommend using 3m adhesive promoter when doing the letters...
3 more years with no problems.
Left the GS alone.
