Topic: '78 Bumper Restoration

[Coach Mike]

I'm looking to either repair or replace my bumpers on the '78 and wondering what needs to be done to ensure that the paint won't crack if using either the original or used bumpers?  My bumpers do have some aged areas with the paint worn off and the yellow cover material showing through from exposure, but there are no cracks or tears all the way through them anywhere on the surfaces.  I have searched and found advice on the 3M materials for surface repair, but worried about paint durability on the surfaces long term as I plan to keep the car for a long time, but it won't see exposure to rain or snow any more ... hopefully 

Thanks,

Mike

[BlackTransAm]

 make sure it hasn't shrunk .  a lot of 79 bumpers shrank and the pin holes no longer line up.
You see them usually sagging in the middle
 I used the 3m repair material on on esanded filled sanded filled , it was beautiful
then I  went to fit it and it had shrunk. I was in hurry so I bought on of those fibergalss
repros and had a bodyman hang and ffnish it.

[kev 190164]

hello. how do you rate the fiberglass ones do you still use all the steel work behind them. i think this fourm sells the welting

[Coach Mike]

Has anyone got any experience with these fiberglass reproduction front bumpers at The Parts Place:

http://thepartsplaceinc.com/ocatalog/part.asp?VID=8&YearList=1978&Search_Keyword=&CatID=4&curpage=3

How's the fit and durability?

[BlackTransAm]

 I thought it was nice but the body man was not impressed,  you have to reuse the hardware for mounting and license plate.
 It came out nice , and you cant tell the difference unless you touch it ,
 I had a very experienced body man hang and finish it. I'll  get pics and post them.

[Coach Mike]

Pics would be great! I have seen some that were repaired and the paint often shows the work underneath, so I'm leaning toward going new on the front as that is usually a first impression when you look at the car.  I checked Year One too and they want over $700 plus shipping!!!  Out of my range.  The one from The Parts Place is $350 plus tax and I can pick it up as Dekalb is close by.

[Angelo]

I'd love to hear some opinions on the reproduction 77/78 bumpers as well. Also curious if anyone's used the ones in the Ames catalog that are gel-coated "Flexiglass". They want $450, but if it saves me a day or two on labor at a paint shop and looks good for another 35 years then obviously it's worth the coin.

[BusDriver]

I wasn't aware those fiberglass noses were available.

I think I'll try one of those when the nose restoration time comes. The 'glass will be stronger, easier to work with, and I won't need to buy the special filler materials that the urethane will need, assuming i can get it close enough to correct shape to use anyhow. They keep the original mounting and crash bar intact, so no safety concerns.