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We all can do this as we see fit...and as we all know...there is more than one way to skin a cat.
As for myself. I do not use any tape or washers to compensate for paint. In my opinion....it is not needed and has never thrown off how the bumper fits.
BUT.... I WILL use thin washers on the threaded stud where they go through the front end and the nuts attach.
The reason I do this IMPORTANT STEP is becasue....when the bumper and or body are painted adn the bumper is NOT installed on the front end.
When the paint and/or clear are applied to the FLANGES of the bumper and body. THAT build-up of paint/clear on BOTH flanges can cause a problem.
When the bumper is fitted so precisely...and it is installed. The fresh paint and clear can MOOSH OUT a few weeks or months AFTER the bumper has been installed due to both of these surfaces are NOT fully cures and susceptible to being able to move IF COMPRESSED.
I use thin stainless steel washers and place them on the threaded studs and tighten the bumper and use a piece of cellophane and make sure that I can slide it in teh gap. Your eye will think that the bumper is tight up against the body...but in actuality it is NOT due to the washer(s)..but this gap will keep the paint from mooshing out.
And I can tell you that I seriously doubt that anyone here on the forum with sharp eye that good that can tell that the bumper is away from the body by a few thousandths of an inch.
ALSO...it has EVERYTHING to do with how much paint/clear is applied to the flanges on the body or bumper.
Using the same procedure on the rear as I did the front I have finished tackling the rear bumper cover. I was so busy "getting busy" that I forgot to take all of the before shots...but I can tell you the the entire top along the rear deck from end to end sat very high due to the mold process. It took a bit of grinding down and some reinforcing glass on the inside to get it to a point where I was comfortable creating the new mating edge.
Here you can see I have already done the preliminary work along the top. The fit still needs to be "fine tuned", but that doesn't come until after the sides are in the same place as the top.
I have to admit I am quite please with the results. The bumper cover was placed on the car and secured with 5 nuts - 3 along the top, one on each side 2nd from the bottom - simply snugged into place. I did not want to have to twist and gyrate parts to achieve fitment.
As you can see, this bumper cover was molded for a 1975. I got a deal on it ($100 delivered) because it had a couple of small cracks that needed to be repaired... and knowing it would be easy to fix as well as to convert it to a '76 style, I snapped it up. After my repairs and using DUB's procedure for the fit, here's where I am today!
Now to go drill holes for the install of my emblem. Pic of the emblem to follow....
It is odd how much easier the rear can be in comparison to the front .
i DO like the added 'touch' and attention to detail you did by reusing the retainer that holds in your taillights. I do the same thing. I have seen so many fiberglass bumpers that just have holes drilled in the fiberglass and the screw threaded into it.
No, I'm a little later in production. Was 522 your car once perchance?
Not mine, but my wife's. She traded it for her '79, but we always wondered what REALLY happened to it......the dealer claimed it was "stolen" off his lot, about 2 weeks after she traded it in.
It is odd how much easier the rear can be in comparison to the front .
i DO like the added 'touch' and attention to detail you did by reusing the retainer that holds in your taillights. I do the same thing. I have seen so many fiberglass bumpers that just have holes drilled in the fiberglass and the screw threaded into it.
DUB
Thanks DUB, it was your initial thread I linked in post 1 that inspired it all and helped me to get this buggy to where it is today!
It might not be 'quite done yet'...BUT it is well on its way!
And the way you are going at it...it should not take that much longer from what I can see.
I wish your guy with the 'eagle eye' the best of luck to nail the color and have it be a perfect match. I do this pant matching/tinting and it can either go rather easily..or take several days to get the color just right.
It might not be 'quite done yet'...BUT it is well on its way!
And the way you are going at it...it should not take that much longer from what I can see.
I wish your guy with the 'eagle eye' the best of luck to nail the color and have it be a perfect match. I do this pant matching/tinting and it can either go rather easily..or take several days to get the color just right.
DUB
DUB...YOU are my "eagle eye" guy!!!
There's only ONE way to get this done right...work with the BEST!!!
Thank Ray! Yes sir, we're in a holding pattern for the time being...my paint guy (DUB) is doing everything possible to mix the paint I need so that I have a perfect match between the covers and car. I know this is a tedious task that takes much time. He has to mix the paint, spray out a test, compare it in every light it to the gas door lid I sent, walk the color, spray a test....(wash - rinse - repeat) UNTIL he is finally happy he has it to his liking. I wouldn't want it any other way.
I will definitely be updating with pics once the paint process has begun.
The color is getting closer....tint...shoot a test panel and allow it to dry...check it and repeat the process. With the weather here being so 'jacked-up' right now...I do not feel comfortable shooting test panels when it is cold and rainy/humid.
I know the weather is going to get much better soon...( God I hope so ..this cold/damp weather makes everything go much much slower)...and when the temps are more consistent..I am sure that the process will be able to go into high gear. Progress has been made...but it is still not quite to my liking. I am so darn picky about stuff like this.
Jacked up weather...I get that! The NWS is call for 3-5" of snow here starting overnight and running through tomorrow. Good grief....and we just had a fast 4" drop on us last Tuesday...
Like I said earlier, I realize what a tedious process this is under the BEST of conditions---and weather, being the unpredictable wildcard, can either be your best friend or your biggest speed brake.
I know you're getting there DUB, and I'll also know when it's "right"...and that won't be until YOU know it's right...and I just would't want it any other way.
02-13-2018, 05:15 PM
