Bumper restorer

[Velociraptor82]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering if anybody knows a place in Melbourne (preferably eastern burbs) who can restore the early 80's era black bumpers? I'm guessing a few XD-E-F owners may be able to help me.

I've got a 82 Meteor which I'm fixing up and cant seem to be able to find replacements at the wreakers. As you can imagine they are not highly sort after cars and as such end up being turned to paper clips pretty quickly.

I'm mainly focused on the bumper strips that run along the bottom of the doors. Currently they are heavily worn and the chrome strip as all turned to rust.

[dirtyclevo]

are they faded or have there cracked appearance.

if they are faded. and are not in bad order.

you should hit them with a heat gun or a hair dryer. it restores it back to black by slightly melting them or something.

I've seen it done on a 92 ford laser with those big black bumpers.

[GasoLane]

I use these from Autoglym, both work well on my Black bumpers (not a Ford but who cares ).

The Bumper & Trim gel is the first one I go for.

http://www.autoglym.com.au/products/...and-trim-gel-1

http://www.autoglym.com.au/products/...-rubber-care-1

[Raptor]

Budget option.

Don't knock it till you've tried it.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Those damn wreakers never have anything sought after, may be try a wrecker and you might have some more luck finding some meteors to sort through.

Failing that try Mothers 'Back to Black' if it's only faded, if cracked I have no idea.

[LTDmonger]

K&H used to sell a aerosol can 'XD bumper black'
I did the bumpers on my ZJ and they turned out showroom.
Sand with 120-350 wet & dry,spray them up and when dry give them a good dose of armour all.
Plastic bumper restorers will be able to supply you a paint code for bumper black.
Side mouldings can be repaired the same way.

[Itsme]

^^^^^^^^^ I'm with this, painting would be a better option

[jimt3te50]

Originally Posted by dirtyclevo

are they faded or have there cracked appearance.

if they are faded. and are not in bad order.

you should hit them with a heat gun or a hair dryer. it restores it back to black by slightly melting them or something.

I've seen it done on a 92 ford laser with those big black bumpers.

This is true- it releases the oils in the plastic. First thing a (good) shop would do.

[LoudPipes]

Black Wow


http://www.blackwow.com/


http://youtu.be/qnYbPIE7GrE

[Velociraptor82]

Thanks heaps for all the advice guys.

There are no cracks in the bumpers fortunately. They appear to have had a shiny coating which has peeled off in many areas resulting in a patchy look. There is a little scuffing on the corners of the bumpers and as stated the chrome strip on the top edge of the bumpers has turned to rust and needs replacement. On the drivers side door however, the black strip has been heavily scrapped from contact with the tires of a modified 4wd. This along with the rusted chrome strip is what has prompted me to look for a professional restorer.

I am wanting to get the whole car painted sometime soon, but know that any attempt to take those black side strips off will damage the chrome strips further. (It has been attempted before)

I'll have to post up some photos of the bumpers.

I like the idea of sanding and painting and finished with the blackwow so I'll have to give that a try. Using the hair dryer on the drivers door strips might be an idea as well before sanding/painting that too. Tho I'm still left with the chrome to repair. Any ideas?

[ebv8]

if they are damaged you could try repairing them with body filler, prepping the whole bar and covering with plasti-dip for a similar matt finish or get some colour made up to match and add a flattening agent.
don't like chances of finding a meteor bar or being able to get it professionally restored for less than what your car is worth
thumbs up for restoring a meteor last time i had one of them we used it as a farm bash car but sorry the bumpers are toast

[Velociraptor82]

Originally Posted by ebv8

image

Looks like a Laser with a drag spoiler to me! hahahaha

The car has been in the family for much of its life and has been a good car in the past. I Also learned to drive in it so rather than send if off to the wreakers I would like to give it a new lease on life even tho I know I will be spending more than what the car is worth. Right now tho it is only running on 2.5 cylinders. I think the piston rings have gone allowing compression into the crackcase and pushing oil up the breather hose. Anyway that's a little of topic.

I've never used body filler or plasti-dip before but sounds like a good idea for that damaged part. I'll check it out. thanks.