VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Body - Sheet Metal, Paint & Wood 31 Bumper Chrome

The chrome on my 31 front bumper is peeling. It is the original bumper, chromed about 6 years ago. I have gotten quotes for rechrome from $350.00 up to $1,000.00 for show chrome on both sides. It seems a new bumper, maybe stainless steel would be better, and the prices for new are about the same as rechroming. Anyone have experience with the new bumpers, like those available from the Filling Station? I do not want to presume that the new bumpers will fit exactly like the original. What about chrome vs. stainless steel? Thanks.
Jim.

Jim. If you want the bumper to be as it was when the car was new than you will need to do these steps. Only the face of the bumper is polished. To do this you need to have the edges & the back sandblasted. Make sure they polish the face ONLY....Joe

I bought a set of the 31/32 bumpers from TFS. I have been very happy with them. I had another set with very minor peeling around the bolt hole and it was very rough on the back side. The replacement ones look very good - and are not over-restored.

Note: The very first thing that I did after I received them, was to polish them immediately with paste wax (Turtle Wax).

Oh, getting them to fit in the new brackets did take a little bit of persuasion. You have to go slow and be very careful since these are new pieces and you don't want to mess them up. Plan on a little extra time.

Bill B

Thank you all for your input. It is helpful. I am leaning toward keeping the original bumper and getting re-chromed. I would like to keep as many original parts on the car as possible.
Jim.

Good move!

BB,

a. You didn't answer his question about whether chrome vs stainless was better?

b. Why in the world would you polish a new bumber with wax, Turtle et al. What do you need to polish chrome or stainless steel. You just wipe it off with a wet rag. You got too much time on your hands?

Seems to me that stainless steel is always better than chrome in the long run. It's thicker!

I think he was looking for a recomendation. I recommend stainless steel. Who cares a whit about whether it is original or not. "now that right there, stranger, is the original number and not some stainless steel replacement." Stranger: Well, I can't tell the difference. Is it shinier?" "Well, no stranger, but after you rup it out with Turtle wax. it is much shinier." Stranger: "Well, (as he rolls his eyes) that sure is good to know."

See?

Charlie

I am not going to join the chrome vs. stainless debate. I will tell you that waxing a chrome piece has nothing to do with making it shinier but filling the small pits and imperfections that eventually lead to deterioration of the chrome plating surface. Keeping water and air out preserves the surface much longer.

Chipper,

I hadn't thought of that. It certianly makes sense.

thanks,
Charlie