2500M: dull chrome bumpers -- options?
Discussion
Renaldo said:
Guys, is there anything short of rechroming that will help some seriously afflicted chrome bumpers?
I guess chrome paint, chrome tape and so on, are largely useless -- that is, if you want an acceptable outcome.
So, is it pretty much rechroming or replacement?
Ron
Renaldo I guess chrome paint, chrome tape and so on, are largely useless -- that is, if you want an acceptable outcome.
So, is it pretty much rechroming or replacement?
Ron
you could try water chrome no idea how well it wears in comparison to properly done especially in your weather there.
A
http://www.ridelust.com/new-process-replaces-chrom...
Andy, thanks. I'll look into it.
Another thing I was wondering about, is Plasti-Dip. The nice thing about it, is that you spray it on and can peel all of it off, with no negative aftereffects, if you don't like it.
It comes in aluminum so perhaps with a bit of a gloss finish, it might not look half bad.
Another idea someone shared with me, was using chrome paint, over the entire surface, and then taking fine steel wool to it.
While it doesn't come anywhere near rechroming, it apparently bumps up a little...
Ron
Another thing I was wondering about, is Plasti-Dip. The nice thing about it, is that you spray it on and can peel all of it off, with no negative aftereffects, if you don't like it.
It comes in aluminum so perhaps with a bit of a gloss finish, it might not look half bad.
Another idea someone shared with me, was using chrome paint, over the entire surface, and then taking fine steel wool to it.
While it doesn't come anywhere near rechroming, it apparently bumps up a little...
Ron
Renaldo said:
Andy, thanks. I'll look into it.
Another thing I was wondering about, is Plasti-Dip. The nice thing about it, is that you spray it on and can peel all of it off, with no negative aftereffects, if you don't like it.
It comes in aluminum so perhaps with a bit of a gloss finish, it might not look half bad.
Another idea someone shared with me, was using chrome paint, over the entire surface, and then taking fine steel wool to it.
While it doesn't come anywhere near rechroming, it apparently bumps up a little...
Ron
If a Jobs worth doing its worth doing right take them off send them to be re chromed and close your eyes when you pay the bill will still only be half the cost of a new set and you will be really pleased with the result Another thing I was wondering about, is Plasti-Dip. The nice thing about it, is that you spray it on and can peel all of it off, with no negative aftereffects, if you don't like it.
It comes in aluminum so perhaps with a bit of a gloss finish, it might not look half bad.
Another idea someone shared with me, was using chrome paint, over the entire surface, and then taking fine steel wool to it.
While it doesn't come anywhere near rechroming, it apparently bumps up a little...
Ron
A
And I'm assuming there's no getting those bumpers off without removing the rear glass?
I accessed the rear bumper fixings from behind the seats, but those bolts/nuts are frozen solid.
They look about as bad as they could, so I'm anticipating they'll need to be cut off. I doubt releasing fluid is going to do it.
Looks like a pig of a job, without access through the rear glass area.
Too make a long story short, I was hoping for a less onerous solution. But for a decent look, maybe there isn't one.
Or maybe I'll just leave them alone. Patina suitable to the car's age, is one way of looking at it.
Ron
I accessed the rear bumper fixings from behind the seats, but those bolts/nuts are frozen solid.
They look about as bad as they could, so I'm anticipating they'll need to be cut off. I doubt releasing fluid is going to do it.
Looks like a pig of a job, without access through the rear glass area.
Too make a long story short, I was hoping for a less onerous solution. But for a decent look, maybe there isn't one.
Or maybe I'll just leave them alone. Patina suitable to the car's age, is one way of looking at it.
Ron
Just a thought - are you sure they are chrome ? Mine are cast aluminium, and then polished.
I don't know if mine are original or the chrome is.
Anyway if they are ally, you can repolish with ordinary cutting compound (same as paintwork), and then wax them.
Yes - getting the nuts off is tough - I leant so hard on mine it broke the studs off. With a lot of effort, I managed to get the stumps out of the rear ones, but ended up replacing the front ones with 2nd hand ones into which I put stainless threaded studs, and used stainless bolts, nuts etc. so I can get them off again in the future.
I don't know if mine are original or the chrome is.
Anyway if they are ally, you can repolish with ordinary cutting compound (same as paintwork), and then wax them.
Yes - getting the nuts off is tough - I leant so hard on mine it broke the studs off. With a lot of effort, I managed to get the stumps out of the rear ones, but ended up replacing the front ones with 2nd hand ones into which I put stainless threaded studs, and used stainless bolts, nuts etc. so I can get them off again in the future.
Renaldo said:
And I'm assuming there's no getting those bumpers off without removing the rear glass?
I accessed the rear bumper fixings from behind the seats, but those bolts/nuts are frozen solid.
They look about as bad as they could, so I'm anticipating they'll need to be cut off. I doubt releasing fluid is going to do it.
Looks like a pig of a job, without access through the rear glass area.
Too make a long story short, I was hoping for a less onerous solution. But for a decent look, maybe there isn't one.
Or maybe I'll just leave them alone. Patina suitable to the car's age, is one way of looking at it.
Ron
Ron, I accessed the rear bumper fixings from behind the seats, but those bolts/nuts are frozen solid.
They look about as bad as they could, so I'm anticipating they'll need to be cut off. I doubt releasing fluid is going to do it.
Looks like a pig of a job, without access through the rear glass area.
Too make a long story short, I was hoping for a less onerous solution. But for a decent look, maybe there isn't one.
Or maybe I'll just leave them alone. Patina suitable to the car's age, is one way of looking at it.
Ron
It's less of a pig than removing, and reinstalling the rear glass, and making sure it doesn't leak. If you can reach them, you can drill the bolt heads out. That makes it easier.
Best,
B.
Boys, one option I just discovered is on YouTube. Several videos of people using chrome vinyl-wrap to "chrome" or "rechrome" bumpers.
One fellow used it to "chrome" bumpers on an Austin A30, and although the result wasn't as good as real chrome, it looked pretty good.
The process involves heating (heat gun or hairdryer) and stretching the vinyl chrome over the bumper.
The vinyl isn't prohibitively expensive, although the process looks pretty fiddly and time-consuming. (how durable that vinyl is, who knows?)
I'm sure it would never be a great substitute for rechroming, but the results look better than you might expect.
I'm not necessarily sold -- just fascinated by what's out there.
Ron
One fellow used it to "chrome" bumpers on an Austin A30, and although the result wasn't as good as real chrome, it looked pretty good.
The process involves heating (heat gun or hairdryer) and stretching the vinyl chrome over the bumper.
The vinyl isn't prohibitively expensive, although the process looks pretty fiddly and time-consuming. (how durable that vinyl is, who knows?)
I'm sure it would never be a great substitute for rechroming, but the results look better than you might expect.
I'm not necessarily sold -- just fascinated by what's out there.
Ron
Renaldo said:
D, sounds like chrome vinyl doesn't convince you?
Fair enough. Actually, I don't feel convinced either.
But drilling those bumpers out, will require that I wrap my 6'3" frame into a pretzel, behind the seats.
Once I get in there, I may never get out...
Shoulda bought a Taimar...
Ron
Only 4 bolts to pull the seat. Fair enough. Actually, I don't feel convinced either.
But drilling those bumpers out, will require that I wrap my 6'3" frame into a pretzel, behind the seats.
Once I get in there, I may never get out...
Shoulda bought a Taimar...
Ron
Best,
B.
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