retired ralph
Well-known member
I have 4 or 5 cracks not all the way thru. If it's repairable, is there a special filler to use? Thanks Ralph
Help! 74 Tru-Flex rear bumper. Can it be repaired?
- Thread starter retired ralph
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upinsmoke
Active member
Tru-Flex bumber repair
Since yours is not cracked all the way through the job will be a lot easier,
Evercoat make two very nice products, Poly-Flex and Euro-Soft. You can purchase these at almost any automotive paint supplier. I have used them both on several different flexible bumpers and have not had any issues.
Make sure the surface is prepared correctly and free of dirt and oil and you use the mix ratio per the directions
If you are doing the paint also make sure you get the proper flex agent for the primers and top coat you use. Any reputable paint supplier can help you with everything.
Since yours is not cracked all the way through the job will be a lot easier,
Evercoat make two very nice products, Poly-Flex and Euro-Soft. You can purchase these at almost any automotive paint supplier. I have used them both on several different flexible bumpers and have not had any issues.
Make sure the surface is prepared correctly and free of dirt and oil and you use the mix ratio per the directions
If you are doing the paint also make sure you get the proper flex agent for the primers and top coat you use. Any reputable paint supplier can help you with everything.
lars
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As 'smoke states, the bumper can be easily repaired - even if it's torn or has holes through it. Evercoat, SEM and 3M all make urethane bumper repair products that are all very good - there is virtually no limit to the damage that can be repaired. I've been using the 3M product line with excellent results - most auto body supply stores will carry the product description materials so you can select the correct adhesives and fillers based on the severity of the damage. Select the products to use based on the brand carried by your local supply store. Most of the materials/products require the use of a static mixer application gun, which most stores will allow you to rent or borrow.
Lars
Lars
terry82
Well-known member
imo .if it was me, i would replace it .yes you can repair it .but with the age of that bumber it will crack again some where else .
lars
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That's not entirely correct.
Except for tears and cracks caused by impact damage, the "cracks" in urethane bumpers are not cracks in the substrate (parent material), but cracks in the topcoat primers and paints above the substrate surface. Repair quality of substrate and above-substrate cracking is highly dependent on surface prep.
If the bumper has not seen impact damage, yet the surface appears to be "cracked," all surface finish and primers must be completely removed down to the actual urethane substrate. Media blasting is actually very effective in removing all finishes, since the paints and primers will be removed, and the media errosion will stop at the flexible substrate. Once all finishes are removed, the bumper can be "built up" using modern urethane products for a perfect finish that will last as long as any "new" bumper. Tears and damage can also be effectively repaired, and life expectancy of the repair is the same as that of a new component.
If only the "cracked" areas are refinished without attention to the entire bumper, other areas will eventually develop these finish cracks. If the entire bumper is correctly stripped and prepped, it will have outstanding service life and durability - I have "cracked" urethane bumpers that I refinished 20 years ago that still look new with no new "cracks." You have to decide what your time is worth in making a "replace" decision.
Except for tears and cracks caused by impact damage, the "cracks" in urethane bumpers are not cracks in the substrate (parent material), but cracks in the topcoat primers and paints above the substrate surface. Repair quality of substrate and above-substrate cracking is highly dependent on surface prep.
If the bumper has not seen impact damage, yet the surface appears to be "cracked," all surface finish and primers must be completely removed down to the actual urethane substrate. Media blasting is actually very effective in removing all finishes, since the paints and primers will be removed, and the media errosion will stop at the flexible substrate. Once all finishes are removed, the bumper can be "built up" using modern urethane products for a perfect finish that will last as long as any "new" bumper. Tears and damage can also be effectively repaired, and life expectancy of the repair is the same as that of a new component.
If only the "cracked" areas are refinished without attention to the entire bumper, other areas will eventually develop these finish cracks. If the entire bumper is correctly stripped and prepped, it will have outstanding service life and durability - I have "cracked" urethane bumpers that I refinished 20 years ago that still look new with no new "cracks." You have to decide what your time is worth in making a "replace" decision.
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I thought that the Tru-Flex bumpers were a replacement bumper made from a rubber modified epoxy fiberglass material unlike the original factory urethane bumpers?
c3guy
Member
your tru flex repair
What does this mean to you? It means that TRU FLEX BUMPERS are an answer to the Bumper Dilemma. They are 70% mare flexible than an ordinary fiberglass bumper, but incredibly tougher than a urethane bumper. TRU FLEX BUMPERS have the structural integrity and the same hard, smooth , easy to sand surface that ordinary fiberglass does, but are very easy to install due to the fact that they are flexible. If a TRU FLEX BUMPER becomes damaged it can be repaired with any common polyester resins or fillers. They have the same "feel" and "give" that a urethane bumper does. Once they are installed it is difficult to tell TRU FLEX BUMPERS apart from the original bumpers that came on your Corvette. Since Toledo Pro Fiberglass uses only the best materials, TRU FLEX BUMPERS hold their shape. Finally, bumper covers that are flexible enough to fit your Corvette and yet will last for years- TRU FLEX BUMPERS....This was taken directly from the Tru Flex site, and should answer your question. The Tru Flex is a fiberglass bumper with a different resin, Do NOT repair it with a urethane bumper repair kit. Hope this helps, and is not too late
What does this mean to you? It means that TRU FLEX BUMPERS are an answer to the Bumper Dilemma. They are 70% mare flexible than an ordinary fiberglass bumper, but incredibly tougher than a urethane bumper. TRU FLEX BUMPERS have the structural integrity and the same hard, smooth , easy to sand surface that ordinary fiberglass does, but are very easy to install due to the fact that they are flexible. If a TRU FLEX BUMPER becomes damaged it can be repaired with any common polyester resins or fillers. They have the same "feel" and "give" that a urethane bumper does. Once they are installed it is difficult to tell TRU FLEX BUMPERS apart from the original bumpers that came on your Corvette. Since Toledo Pro Fiberglass uses only the best materials, TRU FLEX BUMPERS hold their shape. Finally, bumper covers that are flexible enough to fit your Corvette and yet will last for years- TRU FLEX BUMPERS....This was taken directly from the Tru Flex site, and should answer your question. The Tru Flex is a fiberglass bumper with a different resin, Do NOT repair it with a urethane bumper repair kit. Hope this helps, and is not too late
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