What to do with the bumper brackets...

[myk r sanchez]

Hey folks,

The can of worms I've opened with removing the grille and the grille support on my '69 Charger has opened a little bit more and now I've removed the bumper brackets. They're structurally sound, don't look bent and have just a little bit of surface rust and grime so I wanted to clean them up and spray them with some sort of black and get them back onto the car. What's the best way to do that?

Would it be enough to just take a wire brush and/or a grinder with a wire brush attachment to the brackets, take off the loose rust and then just shoot it with primer and paint? That's what I did with my grille support and I'm satisfied with the result.

Another question: what are the two bolt holes in the center portion of the bumper bracket assembly for? I don't recall anything being bolted to those holes.

Also, when I removed the brackets it looks like one of the four bolts is the wrong bolt. Can I just buy that one bolt somewhere? All I see are sets of the complete four and I'd rather not buy them all if I don't have to. But, something tells me I can't run to NAPA or Home Depot and find these things either. Thanks in advance!

 

[493 Mike]

Personally I prefer blasting for rust removal. Of course I have a blast cabinet and a sand blaster. If you really need one matching bolt I would pop for 4 new bolts, surely that won't bust your budget?
That rust can also be removed chemically.
Mike

 

[yella71]

just wheel them and spray bomb them,it will be fine

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Stock app clean them and replace.Performance make it out of aluminum and take a few lbs out!

 

[Z-Man]

I had mine on my 71 GTX sandblasted for 40$

 

[Aarons Air]

If sand blasting isn't an option, a wire wheel and vinegar soaking works well.

 

[VANDAN]

Wire wheel, Evaporust, Prime, and Paint...

 

[CudaChick1968]

I could use the work!

 

[myk r sanchez]

Just a quick question folks: on my grille support I was able to use a drill with a wire wheel to clean off the loose rust before I painted it. Someone recommended an angle grinder, for the increased speed over a drill, with a wire wheel for the bumper brackets. Just how deep do I need to clean these things off?

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Another question: what are the two bolt holes in the center portion of the bumper bracket assembly for? I don't recall anything being bolted to those holes.
View attachment 925562

Those are where the bumper guards attach

 

[Moparjim84]

I had mine sand blasted and powder coated. fronts and rear ones $75

 

[Car #4]

Which ever way you remove the rust wipe them well with grease and wax remover before you prime and paint them.

 

[RGAZ]

Just a quick question folks: on my grille support I was able to use a drill with a wire wheel to clean off the loose rust before I painted it. Someone recommended an angle grinder, for the increased speed over a drill, with a wire wheel for the bumper brackets. Just how deep do I need to clean these things off?

Wire wheel on angle grinder is faster, but be aware of maximum speed for wire wheels. Some are low-speed and will throw wires like a machine gun.

Personally, I recommend a 90 deg Air angle grinder with Roloc discs. Easy to work with, can get in tight spots too.

Don't need to get too aggressive, just get a good solid surface then treat/seal it. Lots of recommendations above. I use either Rustoleum rust reformer (easy to find locally) or Eastwood products (gotta wait for shipment) which do a pretty good job. Prime, paint and done.

RGAZ

 

[yella71]

I changed my mind....send them to leanna

 

[1967coronet]

Just a quick question folks: on my grille support I was able to use a drill with a wire wheel to clean off the loose rust before I painted it. Someone recommended an angle grinder, for the increased speed over a drill, with a wire wheel for the bumper brackets. Just how deep do I need to clean these things off?

Be careful with chucking a wire wheel in a grinder.
Like already posted they will throw wire darts when spun that fast.
Make sure you use a full face shield or goggles.