Restore OEM Bumpers or Buy New

[Casca2525]

Man that sounds like you’re in Hawaii or Taxifornia for that price.

just outside of Owen sound in Ontario Canada

 

[B-Body 70]

Yes that works as long as the chrome not peeling that will work done it before no problem but powder coasters almost always sand blast.

 

[B-Body 70]

Yes that works as long as the chrome not peeling that will work done it before no problem but powder coasters almost always sand blast.

My powder guy said he’s doing a already powdered coated bumper for 325.00 I asked about chrome and said they can do a good sanding job and powder them I think same price.

 

[PsyOps]

We are going black on black with our pickup, now that I was told prepping the chrome was easy

Please let me clarify my earlier statement. I agree with 33 IMP's (post #27) statement that black bumpers look good on some trucks. Black bumpers on cars are a recent development (think tuner car crowd or plastic bumper covers on modern cars like the one in my avatar) and screams laziness when on a classic muscle car IMHO. Fortunately, each person is entitled to do what they want with their own cars.

On a side note: I asked my powdercoater about doing a couple pieces in chrome but he said he doesn't recommend it because when he tries to clear coat it the part begins to haze/fog. He did suggest a powdercoat that looks like an anodized color (like black chrome). Next time I'm there, just for grins, I'll ask him for bumper recommendations.

 

[67RTblue]

Sometimes you have your answer before even asking the question. Find a reputable chromer and do yours. Everyone always shuts up about the price when they are pretty. You complain every time you look at it after cheaping out.

 

[1KoolBee]

You can't AFFORD to chrome in california (edit: well maybe that's wrong, maybe you and I CAN afford it.... I just choose not to!)
. Environmental regs have closed about 90% of the chrome shops, and the ones that are still in business charge like they are the ONLY ones in business!

That’s what I thought too, I was pleasantly surprised when I called Escondido Plating.

860 Metcalf St, Escondido, CA 92025

760-743-4148

 

[33 IMP]

That’s what I thought too, I was pleasantly surprised when I called Escondido Rechrome.

Are they still in business? What were you quoted?
I'll drive a hundred fifty miles (one way!) for decent chrome at a decent price!

 

[1KoolBee]

Are they still in business? What were you quoted?
I'll drive a hundred fifty miles (one way!) for decent chrome at a decent price!

Yes see updated post above! I have no idea what they charge now . Call them, phone number above.

 

[Casca2525]

Please let me clarify my earlier statement. I agree with 33 IMP's (post #27) statement that black bumpers look good on some trucks. Black bumpers on cars are a recent development (think tuner car crowd or plastic bumper covers on modern cars like the one in my avatar) and screams laziness when on a classic muscle car IMHO. Fortunately, each person is entitled to do what they want with their own cars.

On a side note: I asked my powdercoater about doing a couple pieces in chrome but he said he doesn't recommend it because when he tries to clear coat it the part begins to haze/fog. He did suggest a powdercoat that looks like an anodized color (like black chrome). Next time I'm there, just for grins, I'll ask him for bumper recommendations.

that's ok, I also got a reply that said if the chrome is in rough shape it will be exponentially harder for me to prep, sorry for the shitty pics, this is Scott, the Scottsdale

 

[PsyOps]

that's ok, I also got a reply that said if the chrome is in rough shape it will be exponentially harder for me to prep, sorry for the shitty pics, this is Scott, the Scottsdale

View attachment 1913640

View attachment 1913641

I can see using black bumpers on the truck in the picture. What are you going to do with the wheels? Black also? Powder coat them in black chrome, maybe the bumper too?

 

[Casca2525]

I can see using black bumpers on the truck in the picture. What are you going to do with the wheels? Black also? Powder coat them in black chrome, maybe the bumper too?

in the short run, whats on it, once we change the rubber, dtraw we're thinking alloys, but if we stay with steelies I like your colour choice

 

[74ChargerSE440]

Yesterday we installed a new AMD rear bumper on a 1974 Charger, with all the original set up for the car. YES including the good old classic no brainer bumper guards and the golden oldie reveal mouldings an reveal rubbers.

We compared the bumper with the original one. Conclusion: Buy the new reproduction from AMD. Don't bother rechroming. Too much of a fuzz and it always leaves marks, little scratches, littles dents, scuff marks and other glitches in the chrome. It's excellent and for €500 (€1.000 to get it to Europe) it's a no brainer even for a nitty gritty classic originality purist guy as me. Bought at Moparshop.com.

We used all the 51 year old bumper bolts. The new ones were not as good as the orignal ones and of course the nuts were modern crap Polish the old ones by scrubbing the nail with chrome polish on a rough cloth on a wooden base. The result is amazing. Mirror quality which meets the new chrome easily.

O, and the weight? Original bumper 12,8 kg . New one 12,3 kg.

 

[Casca2525]

so just for shitz and wiggles I messaged 3 chrome shops, one only does hard chrome the other 2 both quoted fair to good quality as $2700, (best I can expect with the shape its in) show quality is north of $6k, no promises,
so back to painting, its peeling bad around the bolt holes, and has quite a few cracks, best way to strip it? grinder disks for hard steel? then abrasives like rust remover disks and flap disks? what about electrolysis?

 

[Coelacanth]

I'm no expert but I don't believe you have to strip off the chrome. It's already bonded to the steel. It just needs to be roughed up with sanding so that fresh paint will bond to it. That's what my body man did to my Charger bumpers before painting them body color.

 

[74ChargerSE440]

so just for shitz and wiggles I messaged 3 chrome shops, one only does hard chrome the other 2 both quoted fair to good quality as $2700, (best I can expect with the shape its in) show quality is north of $6k, no promises,
so back to painting, its peeling bad around the bolt holes, and has quite a few cracks, best way to strip it? grinder disks for hard steel? then abrasives like rust remover disks and flap disks? what about electrolysis?

Go to Youtube man! There are dozens of videos about how to do it. Grinder voor hard steel? What horror movie have you been watching lately?

 

[74ChargerSE440]

AMD bumpers ? A few cars I know, as well as a close buddy of mine, has them and in NO WAY are they as thick as OEM. Yeah, they look good, the fit is decent but NOT AS GOOD AS OEM - we did a side-by-side comparo.

I have to say that nowadays the AMD bumpers for the 3rd generation Chargers are at least just as perfect as the original Mopar ones. For the money it's a steal.

 

[Casca2525]

I'm no expert but I don't believe you have to strip off the chrome. It's already bonded to the steel. It just needs to be roughed up with sanding so that fresh paint will bond to it. That's what my body man did to my Charger bumpers before painting them body color.

problem is its peeling off in strips back from the bolt holes with surface rust started underneath

 

[Coelacanth]

Yes, that would make things more challenging...mine fortunately only had surface rust in some places, but no chrome flaking or peeling off.

 

[74ChargerSE440]

problem is its peeling off in strips back from the bolt holes with surface rust started underneath

Just grind it off till the peeling parts are gone, sand it and spray with expoxy primer (not edging). Use filler to straighten out any irregularities. Sand it again, repeat till satisfaction is reached.

 

[Coelacanth]

Yes, that part of it is the same as bodywork. My original somewhat surface-rusty bumper had a few scratches on it. They were filled after the chrome was scuffed up.