Im currently in the process of stripping my 78. Being it still has factory paint it is going really well. I am using Captain Lee's Spra-strip. HAs anyone tried this on the urethane bumpers? I dont want to melt one so I hoped someone may have tried this before. THanks!
If you want my professional opinion...I would replace the bumer covers with fiberglass bumpers....and not the flex-glass type. You original bumers are more than likely warped and buckling in areas and would end up looking like crap when you paint then anyway. And with wasting alot of time on them...for me...just is not worth it. Why would you spend much of your time in getting the body straight and then allow the urethane bumpers to be distorted...UNLESS you are trying to keep it factory...and then I possibly could understand. I do have a few customers from time to time that want it just like GM made it...even with all of the flaws. In that case...IF it is factory paint...I hand sand them (500 grit /wet)so I can control the paint removal and NOT break through the factory E-coating on them. Like I mentioned...it is time consumiing.
Media blasting, soda blasting, crushed walnuts or whatever...even chemical stripper for urethane have always caused for repair issues that made it hard on me to guarantee that I get proper adhesion so I can waranty my work. Urethane bumpers are touchy and they should be treated with care so breaking through the factory E-coat is prevented at all costs. If you break through, then the cleaning procedure for the primer is important and even thoguh many people do it "their way" ...I have seen "their way" a few years later and I can see problerms due to not respecting the urethane and not following the instructions that are set so problems do not occur. Sometimes people get lucky...but because I do this for a living and have to WARRANTY my work...I follow a procedure that I know works for me so I do not have to do it a second time.
I do not like the flex glass bumpers for several reasons...but other people love them. You could buy uerthane bumpers and install them but they will distort in time...guaranteed.
If you choose to buy fiberglass bumpers and need assistance in getting them to fit perfectly...I will be willing to talk you through the procedure I use...like I have done for many other forum members. And even though it does take time...the pay-off and the end result shows and will look like they should have looked from the factory. If you are interested I can post or PM you photo's of a 1979 that I just got done painting that has the fiberglass bumpers on them.
I agree with DUB, I tried a Tru-Flex but thought it was garbage and had a terrible fit. I ended up with ACI fiberglass and the fit was much better, granted it still took some time to build it up to fit correctly but way better than the other brand. I ended up glassing them in with epoxy resin and mat, it just depends if you like that look or not.
Nice Picture, I don't mind the look of the glassed in bumper at all, but was wondering if there would ever be a reason that nose had to come off? Like for headlight maintenance or something like that?
I will post the photo's of the 1979 I did recently and let you see how it looks with the factory seam in it.
Professionally speaking: I love the look without the seam. BUT...I will only mold in the rear bumpers....and NOT mold in the front. There are a couple of reasons why I do not mold in the front. 99 times out of 100, I put the bumpers on like the factory did WITH the seam. I service Corvettes for a living and I do not want to get myself into a position that makes my job any harder than it already is at times....and having a molded in part..where it was not designed like that...can sometimes make service work a bit more time comsuming....and a PITA!!!!! BUT...like I wrote...I do love the look without the seam...but it does come at a price and a possible "trade-off" down the road.
Scott...I see that you are doing it RIGHT! VERY NICE LOOKING CORVETTE!
Well. I have tried to post the photo's...but for some strange reason. I can not. When I was a Supporting Vendor it was not a problem. But it is different and I just can't firgure it out. PM me with your e-mail address if you want me to send them to you...or give me steps in being able to post them here on the forum. I believe it is because I CAN NOT post attachments. It was worth a try.
"DUB"
Corvette Store
Stripper for urethane bumpers
