VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Bumper to body panel fit-up

How thick is the material? 1/4" or more?

Only the support brackets are that thick, the flat gravel protector part is probably 18 or 20 gauge sheet. The edges are rolled that's why it looks thicker than it is. Also why it would be difficult to replicate and it's so easy to bend.

Brian

I didn't measure the gauge of the metal but it seems to be about the same a body steel. The tabs are maybe a tad heavier but no where near 1/4", on mine at least. When I removed mine prior to restoration I didn't notice a difference between the gauge of the tabs and the rest but I wasn't looking for any differences either.

You're probably right but I remember the tabs being thicker, most likely closer to 1/8. But rather than try to recall I should measure one next time I wander into the garage.

Brian

Steve, Thanks for posting the photos.
Here are the dimensions of this shield. It is 61 3/16" tip to tip measuring straight across. It is 2 3/8" wide at the widest point. The tabs are 3/32" thick. The metal in the shield is 3/64" thick (don't know what gauge that would be but it is pretty heavy). The edge nearest to the car is rolled and the roll is 1/4" in dia. The rear edge is a lip approximately 5/16" long formed at a right angle to the shield. I hope this answers the dimension questions for everyone. Beamer

I'm wondering what thickness material to use on my project. I don't want it to thin. Maybe 1/4" plate?

3/64ths sounds really thin. That's .047. That's 18 gauge sheet metal. I can't see how having it to thick would hurt.

1/4 inch sounds like an overkill! Material is only about .050 inch thick....Billu38

Several guys have stated how easy it is to dent of crease or leave a ripple in it. The added weight might knock off some of my top end speed,but I'll just use hightest fuel from now on to make up the difference..GRIN

BTW..1/4" will chrome plate better than thinner metal too !!!

If you're wanting a utility look I guess that would work OK. Keep in mind that these panels were not designed to be show pieces, nor were they intended to be structural pieces. They were made to help stop rock chipping of the lower trunk sheet metal.

I & I just referred me to a guy that makes the 38 -39 stone shield and fender skirts out of 16 gage steel. I have ordered one (stone shield) and because I am in no rush he will have it for me in 2 to 3 weeks. He is local here in So Cal. I will let you know how it looks. I am quite a ways from needing it because my body is not on the frame yet

I'm interested. Photos should be interesting.

I will post when I get it. . . guess I'll need to buy a bumper also, wonder who has the best chrome?

All of the aftermarket chrome I've seen is chineese. I don't know if "good chrome" is in their vocabulary. I'd have the originals re-chromed IMHO.

Thanks for the suggestion. I would have but I didn't get a bumper that could be re chromed on either end. The front was extremely pitted and bent from various collisions. The rear was also pitted, bent and had a trailer hitch attached to it with a bunch of metal welded to the bumper for support. If I am not happy with the chrome on the re-pops I'll have them re chromed at the shop locally.

The chrome shop I use does better work than GM did. It looks like a mirror! They fill in any imprefections with brass plating and then buff it out and triple plate it to a perfect shine. I really don't see how it could be any better. The ONLY drawback is they are not bashful about pricing their work. They do almost all the big car shows, Hershey and Louisville Nationals and many more. I doubt they go out west much but they are great folks to deal with.

I saw a 50 mercury grille that looked like a rusty piece of junk and then saw the end results...unbelievable.


Knox Custom Chrome...888-546-5322

They do every kind of plating but plastic. They'll take the piece and ship it to another vender that does that type of work. My front bumper brace (center brace to the front axle)looks like a mirror.

I know what can be done with a good plating. Problem is here in the NON BUSINESS FRENDLY state of Ca. all but a very few plating businesses have been legislated out of business The speciality shops where I use to have my custom plating are gone. I guess I should start looking for some original bumpers and have them plated at the shop you are recommending. I need my grill and a few other things plated also. I know the old adage that you get what you pay for is true but here in the sunshine state you pay more for the REGULATIONS and RESTRICTIONS than the chrome plating.

I'm not familiar with that do you have a picture?

See the chrome piece that is attached under the center bumper guard? The other end goes to the front axle.

Got it thanks, I didn't know that there. Great looking car GTW

Yes, plating in Cal. is getting harder and harder to find. Especially a great plater, with all the restrictions and issues, it's no wonder.

Some guys in the club send things out-of-state to be plated.

Oh well,
Michael41

I got the rear gravel guard that I had made. Does anyone have a good picture of one on a 38 or 39 it sure would help me check it out. My car is still on a rotisserie

Thank
Doug

Repainted OEM gravel deflector on a '38 business coupe.

Thanks Tiny, that is exactly what I needed. It looks like the re pop is a match. It will require some TLC from the body man "ME" but it will definitely work. I will take some pictures and post them hopefully today.

Thanks again
Doug

Here are a few shots of the repop gravel shield. I expect to do some additional welding and then some grinding and sanding and of course paint. If one were to chrome it there would be allot of metal finishing to be done but it is definitely something that could be done if one was to want it that way. lol

Just for grins how much did that piece cost you? You can PM me if necessary.

Tiny, $150. He is a local guy and does allot of repop stuff mostly for the Low rider crowd. He does fender skirts, dash trays, and i am sure many other things.